KEYSIGHT Technologies (Keysight) has sponsored RM25,000 to conduct the first radio telescope programme for secondary school students in Penang.
It is a pilot programme implemented by Penang Science Cluster with some 40 students representing five schools, namely SMJK Chung Ling, SMJK Heng Ee, SMJK Phor Tay, SMK Penang Free School and SMK St.Xavier.
The radio telescope programme is part of the Astronomy track under PSC’s TechMentor mentoring which has two other components, Optical Astronomy and Radio Astronomy.
The telescopes which were assembled by the students with the guidance of experienced academics and industry practitioners have been placed at their respective schools.
Students need to compare and analyse the collected data through data analytics which will be taught to them as part of the curriculum.
Radio telescopes are used to study naturally occurring radio light from stars, galaxies, black holes, and other astronomical objects as well as used to transmit and reflect radio light of planetary bodies in our solar system.
“When the state government started Penang Science Cluster (PSC) together with industry captains eight years ago, I expected good results from PSC but certainly did not expect the immense impact and diversity of programmes that PSC has delivered in promoting STEM in Penang,” Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said after launching the programme at Penang Science Cafe on Oct 13.
“My appreciation also goes to Keysight Technologies for sponsoring the first five schools and would like to encourage other companies to sponsor more programmes. This is a perfect example of Private-Public-Partnership.
“The Penang government which has invested hugely in STEM believes this is a worthwhile investment for the future, most importantly to expose students to the array of possibilities and opportunities that STEM has in store for them,” he added.