KHOO LI YING (MIC180015)

GIG1005 Social Engagement 

Reflective essay 

Workshop in SMK (P) Sri Aman 

KHOO LI YING MIC180015 31 March 2020 

Happiness comes in different forms. For me, I believe in the art of giving where true giving is a form of happiness that comes deep from the heart. We may have not realized that sometimes even the simplest things that we can contribute to the community may be the best kind of happiness. Through this Social Engagement project, I was able to give back to the school community by participating in teaching modules to the secondary school students in SMK (P) Sri Aman. Thanks to our coordinator in charge of us, which is Dr Puah, our Social Engagement programme was planned perfectly and ran quite smoothly despite the circumstances due to Covid-19. We had many obstacles but all’s well that ends well with her guidance and full support. 

For the second-year students, we were divided to two groups which was supposedly to visit two different schools but due to the Covid-19 cases, we went as a group to SMK (P) Sri Aman into two sessions. Unfortunately, the second session was halted. On the 26 February 2020, we had our first briefing session during an internal workshop after classes which was after 5 pm. We learnt about the module from the Dr Puah and with the help of some postgraduate students as well. From the briefing session, we had a better idea of what to do including the extraction of DNA from cheek cell and fruits. We were enthusiastic in learning about the module to be able to share and conduct the activity with the students soon. 

On the 28 February 2020 which was a Friday, on 12 pm, right after classes, we headed to SMK (P) Sri Aman and all arrived around 12.40pm. Starting with some preparations, we then started the session with a session by Syafiqahizzati and Rajwa firstly at the hall before heading to the lab for the activities. They had given a quick session on DNA and some information relating before we started the hands-on activity. Everything was running smoothly. 

Then the students headed to the lab after a short break for the Muslim students to carry out their prayers before starting our session in the lab. The session in the lab was led by Amir Hamzah and Anne and the students were all divided into groups with 5 to 6 in each group. Each group had members of our batch to help out and also teach the students the module that we learnt from the briefing before with some explanations of how DNA extraction may work using just household items. The rest of us helped with taking pictures and videos needed for the final report. During the workshop, looking at the students, I realized how eager they were to learn new knowledge. The simplest act of sharing our knowledge sometimes can be the best gift to others. Their satisfied smiles on their faces upon getting DNA on their cups made me feel glad to be able to attend and conduct this workshop. 

After the session, before ending, we finished with a quiz. The students of SMK (P) Sri Aman undoubtedly could not hold their excitement back and were all very participative in the session. We handed out gifts to the winners of the quiz. Despite some problems faced, we were able to overcome it and we can all say it ended quite well. Giving out feedback forms to the students, we had received mostly great and positive responses from the students involved. The school had given out some appreciation gifts to our lecturers which is Dr Puah and Dr Chai. Then, with a quick gathering with some words given by Dr Puah, we then ended the day. We headed back at 4pm. 

For the second session, we had gone for an internal workshop on 29 February at 9 am. We learnt about the next modules that we were supposed to teach the students which was PCR. Dr Puah and Dr Kee were present to supervise us and teach us more about this module that we were about to conduct on the 27th of March. It is in the form of DNA fingerprinting where the module involves finding the cheese thief using PCR. We ended near 12pm and headed back. We managed to gain information and knowledge about PCR needed for us to conduct the activity with the students of SMK (P) Sri Aman. However due to unforeseen circumstances, the Covid-19 cases in Malaysia had increased and where desperate situations call for desperate measures, we had a Movement Control Order and were unable to continue with the second session in SMK (P) Sri Aman. 

In a nutshell, time really flies without us realizing it, I had enjoyed myself a lot that day going back to a secondary school to spend time with them. Reminiscing my old school days, this Social Engagement were all good memories- whether it is the preparations during the internal workshops or the session we held in the school. Short but sweet was the time we had but I am sure we had a whale of a time for our Social Engagement programme. Without a doubt, the act of giving could really give us happiness. 

(863 words)