KUCHING: Fifty secondary school students recently participated in the state’s first ever rocket building challenge, the Sarawak Rocketeer CAN SAT Challenge (SRC), an initiative spearheaded by the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS).
The students from 10 secondary schools across five District Education Offices, gained foundational knowledge in aerodynamics, rocket design and launch programming, culminating in the successful launch of 120 metre high rockets at Politeknik Kuching.
The programme gave students an unprecedented opportunity to design, build and launch actual rockets, a practical, hands-on learning experience.
Running in phases since mid June, the challenge kicked off with workshops and demonstrations at Hock Lee Hotel and Politeknik Kuching from June 14 to 15, followed by the Rocket Launching Day from June 28 to 29 at TEGAS Digital Village and Politeknik Kuching.
These activities immersed students in real world applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), specifically in rocketry and satellite systems.
This bold initiative reflects TEGAS’ mission to narrow the urban rural education divide by fostering equal access to high impact learning opportunities, while also supporting Sarawak’s push toward a digital and innovation driven economy.
A collaborative effort involving UITM MTC’s High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMREL), CENTEXS Sarawak Aerospace Academy, Sarawak Skills, and several government and education agencies, the SRC challenge brought together educators, students and industry players in a unified ecosystem.
Partners also provided technical support, coaching and educational pathways for the aspiring young rocketeers.
The challenge will conclude at the SCaT Fair 2025, where the Sarawak Level Challenge will be held on July 5 and 6 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Winning teams will get to represent Sarawak at the Malaysia Rocket Competition 2025, with a chance to advance to the international Spaceport America Cup 2025.
