Cultivating Students’ Interest in STEM through Hands-on Activities: A Case Study of the Tiny Techies Initiative

The declining interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among Malaysian students remains a pressing concern for the nation’s future workforce. This study investigates the effectiveness of the Tiny Techies initiative, a STEM outreach programme designed to nurture students’ interest and aspirations through hands-on learning. The programme was conducted at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Melaka, Alor Gajah, in August 2025, involving 65 students from primary and secondary schools across six states in the central and southern zones. Over two days, students were introduced to STEM and robotics concepts before collaborating in groups to design and compete with their own robots. A survey instrument using a five-point Likert scale was administered to assess their understanding of STEM, enjoyment of activities, technological confidence, and future aspirations. The results revealed positive responses, with the majority of students expressing enjoyment, willingness to join similar programmes, and interest in pursuing STEM studies. Cross-tabulation further indicated that primary school students demonstrated greater enthusiasm for activities, while secondary school students were more inclined towards long-term aspirations in STEM. However, confidence in technical skills and innovation under time constraints remained moderate. These findings suggest that short-term programmes can effectively spark curiosity and aspiration, but sustained initiatives are required to strengthen competence and long-term commitment. The study highlights the importance of experiential, robotics-based learning in promoting STEM engagement and provides useful insights for educators and policymakers.

STEM Education, Tiny Techies, Robotics-Based Learning

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