By: Dr. Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Nadzir, Muhammad Naufal Ilmi Hazri Fadzli, Nur Iffah Alyaa Aznan & Nurasyiqin Zulkefli
SERDANG, Jan 14 – A total of 57 Form 1 to Form 4 students from Sri Ayesha Islamic School have participated in the Future Biologist Caliphs 3.0 programme organised by the Student Biology Club (KMB), Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
The two-day programme aimed to expose students to the relationship between Biology and Islamic knowledge through various interesting activities conducted entirely online.
The programme themed ‘Unleashing The Nur Within Young Biologist Caliphs.’ was held by 30 committee members of the Future Biologist Caliphs 3.0 programme. Among the activities carried out were “Taaruf”, “Mughamarah”, “Munazarah” and “Tajribatun Ilmu Al-Ahya' “.
At the “Taaruf” session, the students and facilitators consisting of the programme committee members had a friendly chat amongst their group members. Through the activity, the bond (ukhuwah) among the Sri Ayesha Islamic School students and facilitators was further strengthened.
The “Mughamarah” activity was a virtual adventure activity. The students had to complete all the challenges in the fastest time to win the activity.
There were five checkpoints that each group had to go through. Each checkpoint tested a different skill as well as students’ basic knowledge related to science.
The “Munazarah” activity tested the students’ ability to think critically and communicate to deliver their opinions and ideas on a relevant topic. The students were given a topic and debated based on facts, which indirectly sharpened their minds and talents to communicate more confidently.
The “Tajribatu Ilmu Al-Ahya” activity, on the other hand, required the students to conduct experiments with their group members and make observations on the final results obtained from the experiments.
Through the activity, the students could relate the experiment results with the words of Allah SWT found in the Qur’an, such as the diversity of fingerprints, variations of tastes, and the importance of lungs and heart to humans.
KMB and programme advisor, Dr. Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Nadzir, said the programme's theme this time could provide new knowledge to the science students that Science and Islam are always related.
The activities carried out could also increase the spirit of cooperation and healthy competition as well as leadership qualities among the students to complete the missions throughout the programme.
He said the programme was held for the third time and was different from the previous year. Although conducted entirely online, the activities were held extravagantly and cultivated critical thinking skills in students to solve science-related problems.
The students could also apply all the knowledge gained throughout the programme in their day-to-day life.
Programme director, Muhammad Naufal Ilmi Hazri Fadzli, said although the programme could not be held face-to-face, the facilitators and students remained active and enthusiastic in every activity carried out.
“This programme can to a certain extent be an eye-opening to us (the facilitators), and the students of Sri Ayesha Islamic School regarding the application of Islamic knowledge in Science, especially Biology,” he said.
Three students who were active participants in the programme were awarded “The Most Energetic Caliphs received a cash prize of RM100 each. - UPM
