SCIENCE BROUGHT ALIVE WITH PETROSAINS SCIENCE FESTIVAL 2013

Petrosains Science Festival 2013 has successfully concluded and proven that public institutions, private corporations, and individuals from diverse science and technology industries and academia can rally together in a shared goal to engage and inspire the Malaysian public and specifically our youngsters with the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The inaugural festival, a collaborative effort between Petrosains and 34 partners was organized by over 200 staff and assisted by more than 100 volunteers, managed to draw in crowds of over 42,000 people within the 6 days period. In comparison, the attendance to the 2012 San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering (4th edition) in multiple venues around San Diego with 44 partners was estimated at 50,000 people over its 8 day period.

The Petrosains Science Festival, running from 22nd – 27th October 2013, had activities ranging from speaking engagements by scientists/personalities, hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and performances by various groups at 3 different locations within KLCC area: Petrosains, The Discovery Center, Suria KLCC Centre Court, and KLCC Esplanade.

Partners’ contribution was in the form of exhibit  items, high speed broadband infrastructure for seamless internet connectivity, state-of-the-art LED screen facilities, personality appearances and many others. Special participation by world-class corporations such as Google, Boeing and GE made the event more special.

The PR, media and online exposure were estimated at more than RM 500,000 with print ad insertions in the STAR, SCJP, Harian Metro, daily editorials, online ad/web banners, Red FM radio activation, below the line and out of home media promotions, digital media/blogger coverage and plasma screen at shopping malls. 

The news updates via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by public figures such as Major (Dr.) Faiz Khaleed (Angkasawa Negara), Najwa Latiff (local singer), Terry & Mynn (Red FM deejays), Dato’ Fazley Yaacob (celebrity chef), and many other personalities have surely hyped up the event in the social media sphere.

The exhibitors inside the Petrosains’ Gallerias such as the PETRONAS Carigali, SIRIM, StreetSmart, UMT, UiTM, Bamboo Malaysia and many others had six busy days attending to visitors. The Recycle Zone and Play Zone by Legoland Malaysia were also a hit among the kids. 

Some of the 63 workshop sessions as well workshops organized by Petrosains such as the ‘Cow’s Eye Dissection’, ‘Make Your Own Ice-Cream’, ‘Digital Animation’, and ‘Batik Painting and Painting by Yusuf Gajah’ just to name a few, attracted full capacity rooms with long waiting list for participation.

A total of 36 talks and forums were conducted with some popular sessions such as ‘Debunking the Myth of Gravity’ by Major (Dr.) Faiz, ‘Let’s Talk Fitness’ by Kevin Zahri(fitness guru), ‘Edible Science’ by Dato’ Fazley, forum on social media by celebrities: Nik Michael Imran, Imran Ajmain and Vincent Ha of Gushcloud, and ‘Your Brain: Use it or Lose it!” by UiTM drew a full house with crowds cramming in to listen to the talks. Other interesting sessions included ‘Science of Tongkat Ali’ by UMS, ‘Belangkas Bukan Ketam’ by UMT, and ‘Mystery Solved! Forensic Science’ by Jabatan Kimia Malaysia.

The exhibition at the Suria KLCC Centre Court during the last 3 days of the festival was the culmination of the 6-days science festival. Key Partners like PETRONAS Motor Sport, PETRONAS Dagangan, TM, Google, Star Publication, Nova Spectra, Yayasan Angkasawan and Petrosains, had significant presence with their individual display of interactive exhibits and running of exciting activities.

The presence of Dr. Graham Walker, a globally known science show performer from Australia, had the crowd in the Suria KLCC Centre Court in stitches with his amazingly funny and educational science show. Talented Petrosains’ science communicators as well science busking teams also had the audience enthralled with their interesting science shows and trivias.  

Stage performances by local artists such Yassin Sulaiman, Najwa Latiff, Capoeira Dancers, Kakinari Dancers, Zumba by Kevin Zahri’s Team, YAWA recycled items performance group, St John Bagpipes band, and many others added more colors to the festival. 

Not limiting to only indoor, we also had outdoor activities such as kid’s favorite ‘Bubble Madness’ demonstration by Prof. Chong Hon Yew, and ‘Mencari Ramli’ football activity by TM.

Based on feedback received, visitors of the festival were very pleased with the activities organized and were happy to have spent an enjoyable and educational time at the festival. With this year’s success, a benchmark has been set for the 2014 edition which can only be bigger and better.  It will be more than just ‘Bringing Science Alive’ but perhaps ‘Bringing Science Up’ to the next level!