MIRI，22 June: Over 80 school teachers here are now better equipped to bring artificial intelligence (AI), coding and digital innovation into their classrooms, following a hands-on training programme that aims to future-proof education in Sarawak.
Held at Curtin University Malaysia over four days, the Train-the-Trainer initiative was spearheaded by the IEEE Curtin University Malaysia Student branch and tech education nonprofit Chumbaka Miri.
The programme offered educators from both primary and secondary schools intensive exposure to digital-making, AI tools, and coding platforms-areas increasingly seen as essential in preparing students for the demands of a digital-first future.
But for many of the teachers involved, the impact went far beyond just technical skills.
“We are not just teaching tech – we’re shaping changemakers in the classroom. The collaboration between teachers and mentors created an incredible atmosphere of energy, creativity and purpose,” said IEEE Community Outreach co-head, Diandra Emilia.
Split into two key tracks, the programme delivered distinct experiences for primary and secondary school educators.
The first half of the week focused on the Junior Innovate (JI) programme, where 60 primary school teachers got their hands on platforms like Scratch and Arduino. Through creative workshops, they were encouraged to develop simple game-based solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
“It wasn’t just about the coding,” said one teacher, adding “Using something like the ‘Werewolf Game’ to explain logic flow and decision-making – it made abstract concepts click. Suddenly, tech felt approachable.”
Teachers designed interactive projects addressing real-life community challenges, such as promoting inclusivity or supporting school safety. The emphasis, organisers said, was on helping educators understand how digital tools can encourage problem-solving and social awareness in young learners.
For the secondary school teachers, the programme took a deeper dive into the possibilities of artificial intelligence. The Young Inventors Challenge (YIC) introduced 20 participants to PictoBlox- a graphical programming platform- and AI-integrated Arduino hardware.
Mentored by university students from the IEEE STEM Mentors Programme, teachers prototyped smart solutions aimed at tackling issues like environmental conservation, elder care and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“It was eye-opening to see how AI can be introduced at a school level in such a practical way. The teachers weren’t just learning the tools – they were thinking about how to apply them in real classrooms,” said one of the programme’s mentors, Pee Lyon.
One project combined image recognition and sensors to create an assistive device for visually impaired students – a concept that emerged from a brainstorming session among educators who had never coded before.
IEEE advisor Professor Garenth Lim believes the programme is part of a much-needed shift in the way Malaysia approaches STEM education.
“When we invest in teachers, we multiply impact. By empowering educators with the tools of tomorrow, we’re not only building technical skills – we’re nurturing a generation that sees innovation as a means to solve real-world problems,” he said.
The initiative also reflects a growing push to decentralise access to digital education, ensuring that even schools in regional cities like Miri are not left behind in the global race towards digital literacy.
Chumbaka, which has long championed digital education in Malaysia, described the training as a model for scalable grassroots innovation. The non-profit is known for its engaging, story-based approach to coding, which was on full display throughout the workshops.
With over 21 mentors involved, and enthusiastic feedback from participants, both IEEE and Chumbaka say they’re looking to scale the initiative further – possibly expanding into rural areas of Sarawak in the near future.
“The real success,” said Diandra, “will be when we see students start to create their own tech solutions with their teachers guiding the way.”
For now, the participants return to their schools not just as teachers, but as tech ambassadors and ready to inspire, innovate and lead the next generation into a future shaped by digital possibility.
Held at Curtin University Malaysia over four days, the Train-the-Trainer initiative was spearheaded by the IEEE Curtin University Malaysia Student branch and tech education nonprofit Chumbaka Miri.
The programme offered educators from both primary and secondary schools intensive exposure to digital-making, AI tools, and coding platforms-areas increasingly seen as essential in preparing students for the demands of a digital-first future.
But for many of the teachers involved, the impact went far beyond just technical skills.
“We are not just teaching tech – we’re shaping changemakers in the classroom. The collaboration between teachers and mentors created an incredible atmosphere of energy, creativity and purpose,” said IEEE Community Outreach co-head, Diandra Emilia.
Split into two key tracks, the programme delivered distinct experiences for primary and secondary school educators.
The first half of the week focused on the Junior Innovate (JI) programme, where 60 primary school teachers got their hands on platforms like Scratch and Arduino. Through creative workshops, they were encouraged to develop simple game-based solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
“It wasn’t just about the coding,” said one teacher, adding “Using something like the ‘Werewolf Game’ to explain logic flow and decision-making – it made abstract concepts click. Suddenly, tech felt approachable.”
Teachers designed interactive projects addressing real-life community challenges, such as promoting inclusivity or supporting school safety. The emphasis, organisers said, was on helping educators understand how digital tools can encourage problem-solving and social awareness in young learners.
For the secondary school teachers, the programme took a deeper dive into the possibilities of artificial intelligence. The Young Inventors Challenge (YIC) introduced 20 participants to PictoBlox- a graphical programming platform- and AI-integrated Arduino hardware.
Mentored by university students from the IEEE STEM Mentors Programme, teachers prototyped smart solutions aimed at tackling issues like environmental conservation, elder care and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“It was eye-opening to see how AI can be introduced at a school level in such a practical way. The teachers weren’t just learning the tools – they were thinking about how to apply them in real classrooms,” said one of the programme’s mentors, Pee Lyon.
One project combined image recognition and sensors to create an assistive device for visually impaired students – a concept that emerged from a brainstorming session among educators who had never coded before.
IEEE advisor Professor Garenth Lim believes the programme is part of a much-needed shift in the way Malaysia approaches STEM education.
“When we invest in teachers, we multiply impact. By empowering educators with the tools of tomorrow, we’re not only building technical skills – we’re nurturing a generation that sees innovation as a means to solve real-world problems,” he said.
The initiative also reflects a growing push to decentralise access to digital education, ensuring that even schools in regional cities like Miri are not left behind in the global race towards digital literacy.
Chumbaka, which has long championed digital education in Malaysia, described the training as a model for scalable grassroots innovation. The non-profit is known for its engaging, story-based approach to coding, which was on full display throughout the workshops.
With over 21 mentors involved, and enthusiastic feedback from participants, both IEEE and Chumbaka say they’re looking to scale the initiative further – possibly expanding into rural areas of Sarawak in the near future.
“The real success,” said Diandra, “will be when we see students start to create their own tech solutions with their teachers guiding the way.”
For now, the participants return to their schools not just as teachers, but as tech ambassadors and ready to inspire, innovate and lead the next generation into a future shaped by digital possibility.