The service-learning program in the Portuguese Settlement of Malacca, Malaysia has been held for four consecutive years since 2016. After the pandemic, the Cheng Yu Tung College launched the service-learning program in Malacca’s Portuguese Settlement again. They provided voluntary teaching to the children at the Fatima Home and the Livio Learning Center. This year, the students of the Cheng Yu Tung College designed a STEM team-building curriculum, and spent a week providing voluntary teaching at the Fatima Home.
The curriculum is divided into four parts. In the first three parts, the tutors from the Cheng Yu Tung College guided the students from the Fatima Home to learn hands-on skills, such as making a hair moisture meter, connecting water pipes, and the different applications of glue and tape. The students also participated in group competitions to foster teamwork. The final lesson utilized the knowledge gained from the previous three parts and organized game competitions.
The goal of this curriculum is not only to stimulate the students’ curiosity but also to help them understand the science in their daily lives, inspire creativity, and cultivate a scientific spirit.
Sister Mary, a representative from the Livio Center, stated that the service-learning team from the Cheng Yu Tung College not only taught the students scientific knowledge but, more importantly, instilled valuable life principles. The tutors from the Cheng Yu Tung College used innovative methods to encourage the students to help each other and cooperate, which was the most crucial part of the curriculum.
The University of Macau’s Cheng Yu Tung College has been promoting the service-learning program in Malacca’s Portuguese Settlement since 2016. This program facilitate opportunities for international exchange and cooperation. The students who participated in this service-learning program have shown significant growth in 7 competencies, namely
Responsible citizenship, Global competitiveness, Knowledge integration, Teamwork and collaboration, Service and leadership, Cultural engagement, and Healthy lifestyle.
Figure 1. Photo of Cheng Yu Tung College students with teachers and students from the Fatima Home and Livio Center
Figure 2. Cheng Yu Tung College tutors guiding Fatima Home and Livio Center students in making a catapult to understand the principle of levers
Figure 3. Students making small architectural models using playing cards
Figure 4. Students learning about the principle of communicating vessel through an interactive activity
Figure 5. Cheng Yu Tung College tutors guiding students to write the reflection handbooks