In a spirited celebration of Earth Day under the theme “Planet vs Plastic”, 50 students and four lecturers from the School of Mathematics, Actuarial and Quantitative Studies (SoMAQ) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) participated in the ‘GO GREEN FRIM EXPLORE RACE’ at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) on 27th April 2024.

This event was organised by the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Department of Environment (JASWPKL) in collaboration with FRIM and Secret Recipe.

The event, led by Ms Hazlina Darman (Lecturer, SoMAQ at APU), with assistance from Ms Sarah Musa (Lecturer, SoMAQ at APU), Dr Rahimah Abdul Rafar (Lecturer, SoMAQ at APU), and Ms Noraimah Farah Md Rahim (Senior Lecturer, SoMAQ at APU), aimed to impart practical knowledge beyond the classroom, fostering a greater appreciation for nature among students.

Ms Hazlina said APU is the first university in Malaysia to launch the Green Community Movement at the FRIM FPS site.

“This movement is designed to engage the broader FRIM community post-COVID-19, emphasising the importance of heritage assets and their role in environmental education.

“The event underscored the concept of Citizen Science, particularly targeting the younger generation in urban and suburban areas, to instil a deeper understanding and respect for biodiversity and environmental conservation,” she said.

The students embarked on a 2.5-kilometer route, engaging in various tasks designed to enhance their observational skills, teamwork, cognitive abilities, and time management.

This immersive experience featured five unique stations:

1. Botany Walk & Hunt in Boardwalk Denai Latif: Students collected clues along a scenic route, enhancing their botanical knowledge and observational skills as they identified different plant species and ecological features.
    
2. Put Waste in the Right Place at Paya Burung: Students gathered natural materials such as leaves, branches, and wood, learning the importance of proper waste management and the role of organic matter in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
   
    
3. Waste to Wealth: Students used the materials collected to create compost, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable waste recycling and understanding the process of turning organic waste into fertiliser.
   
    
4. Seed to Spoon: Students engaged in rice planting activities, experiencing the agricultural cycle firsthand and learning about the journey of food from seed to harvest, emphasising the significance of sustainable farming practices. 
    
5. E-Waste Crossword Puzzle: This mental challenge focused on electronic waste management, encouraging students to think critically about the lifecycle of electronic products and the environmental impact of e-waste.
   
   

Despite the physical challenges, the students enthusiastically embraced each task, demonstrating remarkable resilience and a keen eagerness to learn.

The three fastest teams to complete all stations were rewarded with hampers and cash prizes, generously sponsored by JASWPKL, FRIM, and Secret Recipe.

The first-place team has received a cash prize of RM300 and a hamper.

The second-place team has received a cash prize of RM200 and a hamper.

The third-place team has received a cash prize of RM100 and a hamper.

Despite feeling fatigued, the students departed the event enriched with newfound knowledge and a deepened reverence for the natural world.

Through hands-on experiences, they not only gained insights into waste management and biodiversity but also cultivated a stronger bond with nature.

This event exemplifies the transformative potential of experiential learning, igniting a passion within the students to become future environmental advocates.