Primary and secondary school students alongside their educators from across Penang recently traded traditional textbook physics for hands-on structural engineering, with 68 participants across 17 teams successfully mastering the core mechanics of load distribution, tension, and structural stability.
The intensive immersion brought together all participants during the bridge building workshop held at Wawasan Open University’s (WOU) main campus on 12 May 2026.
Facilitated by the School of Technology and Engineering Science (STE), the workshop formed part of the University’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) engagement efforts to strengthen early exposure to engineering and design thinking among school learners. It introduced participants to the fundamentals of structural engineering through interactive learning sessions and hands-on bridge construction activities.
Each participating team consisted of three students and one accompanying teacher, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encouraged shared problem-solving and allowed educators to bring practical STEAM methodologies back to their own classrooms.
Throughout the workshop, participants explored core concepts in bridge design, structural stability, material efficiency, and engineering creativity under the guidance of STE faculty members. Working in teams, they were challenged to translate theoretical physics into functional bridge models whilst applying critical thinking, experimentation, and teamwork.
The programme also served as a preparatory platform for students interested in future participation in bridge building competitions, providing early exposure to engineering practices in a structured yet engaging setting.
Dean of STE, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Sean Tan, said the initiative reflects the University’s commitment to nurturing problem-solving mindsets among young learners through applied learning.
“Engineering understanding develops best when students are placed in situations where they must design, test, and refine their ideas. Activities like bridge building allow them to experience first-hand how creativity and technical reasoning come together to produce workable solutions,” Dr Tan said.
“While the previous iteration of the workshop was dedicated exclusively to training educators, this year we strategically extended the experiential engineering immersion directly to the students themselves,” he said, adding that early exposure to such learning opportunities helps build confidence and sustained interest in STEAM pathways.
Following the workshop, WOU further extended its support to the Bridge Building Competition organised by the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) Timur Laut (Northeast District Education Office), over the subsequent two days.
The competition brought together involved schools within the Northeast district, including teams trained by WOU, where participants showcased their completed bridge models in a test of structural strength, efficiency, and design innovation.
By embedding technical skills and critical soft skills into these young minds, WOU continues to cultivate the foundational expertise required for future technological breakthroughs.
The University is set to further extend its STEAM engagement through its upcoming flagship innovation and exhibition event, InnovateX 2026. Designed to discover innovative solutions, the competition is currently accepting submissions until 29 May 2026 across three distinct categories: WOU students and alumni, tertiary students, and professional innovators.