Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM had organised a half-day science program, Jom Sains Farmasi 2023 for children aged 6-12. The program aimed to spark their interest in science, especially pharmacy, and expose them to various scientific concepts and the role of a pharmacist. The program consisted of a few activities: soap making, acid-alkali experiment, viewing a goat’s brain and heart, microscopic examination of cells, and a pharmacist role.
The first activity was soap making. The students could customise their soap by adding different colours, scents, and shapes. They enjoyed making their own soap and were eager to use it at home. The second activity was the acid-alkali experiment. The students learned about the pH scale, which measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. They also learned about indicators, which change colour depending on the pH of the solution. The students used red cabbage juice as a natural indicator and tested various household substances such as vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and detergent. They observed the colour changes and recorded the pH values of each substance.
Then, the kids learned about the anatomy and function of the two vital organs by viewing the goat’s brain and heart. They learned how to identify different parts of the organs. They were amazed by the complexity and structure of the brain and heart by viewing the brain and heart cells under a microscope. They also learned how to draw and label the cells they saw.
The last activity was the pharmacist role. The kids learned about the role of a pharmacist in health care and society. They also learned about the different types of drugs, such as prescription, over-the-counter medications, and health supplements. The students played a role-play game where they acted as pharmacists and patients. We had Pak Atan; a SimMan® 3G, a state-of-the-art patient simulator that simulates the physiological and neurological symptoms; as a patient with a headache and a fever. The kids played as a pharmacist who had to ask questions, check his symptoms, give advice, and dispense medicine. The kids had a sing-along session on the concept of safe drug use and the role of a pharmacist.
Volunteers from the Faculty of Pharmacy’s undergraduate and graduate students and undergraduates from Fakultas Farmasi, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, together with a dedicated team from the faculty, made the Jom Sains Farmasi 2023 programme a sweet success. The students had fun with many games, quizzes, and prizes to win and learned a lot from the activities. They also developed their observation, experimentation, analysis, and problem-solving skills. The parents and children expressed their delight and appreciation for organising such an exciting and educational-packed program. They hoped to have more programs like this in the future.
