Event Date & Venue:
27 August 2025, Dewan Masyarakat Trusan, Lawas
Organisers:
Sekolah Kebangsaan Trusan (SK Trusan), Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) Lawas, and Chumbaka
1. Introduction
The Lawas Innovator and Maker Fair 2025 marked its inaugural launch as a milestone event to promote innovation, creativity, and digital literacy among students in the Lawas district. This pioneering initiative introduced block coding as an accessible programming tool for both primary and secondary school students, fostering computational thinking, problem-solving, and design skills in an engaging competition format.
2. Participation
The competition attracted 20 teams in total:
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Junior Innovate (Primary School Category): 11 teams
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Young Innovators Challenge (Secondary School Category): 9 teams
3. Objectives
The event aimed to:
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Cultivate problem-solving, creativity, and digital skills among students.
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Promote awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through thematic game development.
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Foster a culture of innovation and strengthen STEM education in the district.
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Provide rural students with access to national-level innovation platforms.
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Establish a foundation for sustainable STEM Club development in Lawas schools.
4. Competition Categories
Junior Innovate (Primary School)
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Theme: Game for Change – Justice & Peace
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Students designed interactive games to reflect values of peace, justice, and strong institutions.
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Judged on creativity, communication, mechanics, and technical execution.
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Young Innovators Challenge (Secondary School)
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Theme: AI for Social Good
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Students developed AI-powered solutions addressing real-world community issues.
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Judged on technical skills, problem-solving, and aspiration.
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5. Event Highlights
The day-long program began with an opening ceremony featuring speeches by the Principal of SK Trusan, PPD Lawas representatives, and the Guest of Honour. Students participated in project presentations, interactive STEM activities such as robotics, and Science on Wheels program.
The competition showcasing young innovators from both primary and secondary school students present their projects, showcasing their creativity and innovative minds. All participants received trophies and certificates in recognition of their efforts.
6. Conclusion
The Lawas Innovator and Maker Fair 2025 successfully concluded on 27 August 2025, leaving a lasting impact as the district’s first large-scale STEM and innovation event. With 20 teams participating, the competition not only showcased the creativity of young innovators but also set the stage for future STEM initiatives in Lawas.
This fair stands as a pivotal movement in bridging the digital gap, nurturing rural talent, and inspiring the next generation of innovators and makers.
Reported by:
Tan Kan Tsai
PK Pentadbiran &
Penyelaras Lawas Innovator and Maker Fair