Muhammad Azri Hakimi bin Zulkarnain (MIC190026)

GIG 1005 : SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Reflective Writing

Muhammad Azri Hakimi bin Zulkarnain               

MIC190026                                               

6 & 13 March 2020

We are going to participate in our Social Engagement project which is based on our modules. There are 2 modules involved which are Module 3 and Module 4. I am from Group 1 with my respective groupmate, leader and also lecturers. Module 3 is about DNA extraction that can be taken from our cheeks and also from fruits. DNA can be found almost everywhere such as the skin cells, blood or hair. In this module, I found that it is very interesting since it can be made anytime and anywhere although the DNA extracted is not pure. For Module 4, my friends and I are going to handle about Gel Electrophoresis. It is very exciting but the hands-on are pretty hard at first, but later it is understandable and easy. I feel really excited to go to SMK Lembah Subang to do this experiment with the students and also my groupmate and I did rehearsal with our lecturers, Dr. Puah and Dr. Tan. I also think that the student might find these experiments to be fun and interesting. Our leader, Adlina assigned each of us to do our works respectively.

On the first day of Social Engagement programme, 6 March 2020, all of us went to SMK Lembah Subang by Grab and MyCar. I found out that Grab has an additional option which is to include toll payment but not MyCar. I felt 50% of nervousness and scared since it is the first day I am participating in social works. I arrived at the school at 8:45 a.m. and my friends are already there. All of us went to the lab around 9:15 a.m. and the teacher on duty did some interview session with us. After that, I went in with my friends and Adlina was able to handle all the students for them to pay attention to us. We did our self introduction and briefing session with them. A lot of prizes are waiting at the back of the lab. After my groupmates did their presentation, Haris and I ate handling table 5 for hands-on experiments. I felt comfortable with the students and they gave a lot of cooperation with us. One of them felt grossed to look at her own saliva during DNA extraction session, so I asked her to wait for next experiment and do it together. She managed to do it by herself for the next experiment which is DNA extraction using fruits. They felt so happy and excited during the experiments which made me feel happy too of course! During the quiz session, I gave them a lot of tips and some hints for them to answer the quiz and get the prizes. Unluckily they knew the answer but they lift up their hands late during the picking session. Then, we did photograph session and went to our college to get some rest. Although I felt nervous, but in the same time I was very comfortable to handle this programme with my friends. For the second day, which is held on 13 March 2020, I did not feel nervous anymore since I was feeling very relaxed and comfortable to work. The day was going on as usual but this time, my groupmates and I were presenting Module 4 which was Gel Electrophoresis. The experiment was a bit harder than before since it required some thinking skills unless if the students are able to understand it clearly which was done by some of them. 

Being there as a participant made me realized that exposure of experiments can make the students feel interested and excited. Some of them did not know what is test tube used for. This is why we need to expose lot of materials used to do experiments. Also, our lecturers Dr. Puah and Dr. Tan helped us a lot because I heard from my friends which took this course, they need to find funds and organizes it by themselves. I felt really grateful to take this course, zero regrets and it was really fun. Thank you lecturers, groupmates, students for giving me the opportunity!