KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus has reinforced its commitment to nurturing future STEM talent through Swinburne Big Day Out (SBDO) 2026, bringing together secondary school students from across Kuching to explore the real-world applications of STEM through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.
Held at Swinburne Sarawak’s campus on 25 July 2026, this year’s event was themed “Code Green: The STEM Sustainability Challenge”, underscoring the university’s focus on sustainable technologies and innovation.
Organised by the School of Engineering and Science under the university’s Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science (FECS), SBDO 2026 aimed to raise awareness of STEM careers, encourage greater participation in STEM education, and demonstrate how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help address environmental challenges.
The event welcomed approximately 100 students from five participating schools: Chung Hua Middle School No 3, SMK St Thomas, SMK Green Road, SMJK Kuching High, and SMK Jalan Arang.
Throughout the day, students participated in three interactive STEM challenges designed around the pillars of sustainability: energy, environment, and water.
The students explore water treatment technologies through “PureFlow: Sustainable Water Filtration System”.
The “HydroSplit: The Hydrogen Challenge” activity introduced the students to the principles of clean hydrogen energy, while “EcoBots: Robots for a Greener Tomorrow” highlighted the role of robotics and automation in solving environmental issues. The participants also explored water treatment technologies through “PureFlow: Sustainable Water Filtration System”, where they designed and tested filtration solutions to address real-world water sustainability challenges.
The event encouraged collaboration between Science and Arts stream students across schools, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in solving complex sustainability issues.
Supported by academic and professional staff as well as student volunteers, the activities provided participants with valuable exposure to practical STEM applications while strengthening their critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Speaking at the event, Ir Associate Professor Dr Adeline Ng, Chair of SBDO 2026, said, “SBDO 2026 reflects Swinburne’s commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences that connect STEM knowledge with real-world sustainability challenges. Through hands-on activities, students gain a deeper understanding of how innovation and technology can contribute to a greener future while discovering the many opportunities available through STEM education and careers.”
The students discover the role of robotics and automation in solving environmental issues through “EcoBots: Robots for a Greener Tomorrow”.
SBDO has grown into an important STEM outreach platform for Swinburne Sarawak. It aligns closely with the university’s vision of transforming lives through education, research, and innovation while supporting its broader STEM outreach agenda and University Social Responsibility initiatives.
This year’s sustainability-focused theme also aligns with Sarawak’s vision of developing a future-ready, innovation-driven workforce equipped to support the state’s green energy ambitions and sustainable economic transformation.
Through initiatives such as SBDO, Swinburne Sarawak continues to nurture curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong interest in STEM among young learners. By connecting classroom learning with practical, hands-on experiences, the university aims to empower the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
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