Neuroscience for all: empowering memory and learning among orang asli students through STEM@USM program

Authors

  • Farizan Ahmad (1) Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; (2) Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Mohd Harizal Senik (1) Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has (1) Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Sarina Sulong (2) Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Azlina Ahmad (2) Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; (3) School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; (4) Tissue Bank, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Surini Yusoff (2) Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; 5Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Siti Norasikin Mohd Nafi (2) Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia; (6) Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Ahmad Hayani Awang (7) SK Sungai Rual, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Zul Faizuddin Osman (7) SK Sungai Rual, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v9i3.515

Keywords:

Neuroscience, STEM education, NFT-based learning, Experiential learning

Abstract

The STEM@USM program is a neuroscience-driven university-community engagement initiative conducted by the Department of Neurosciences, USM at SK Sungai Rual, Jeli, Kelantan. The school serves Orang Asli communities, Malaysia’s indigenous population, and is the only school of its kind in the district. Grounded in neuroscience in education, the program was designed to enhance memory formation, learning processes, motivation, and student engagement through experiential learning and multisensory approaches. Implemented from June 2024 to July 2025, the initiative comprised three phases: experiential exposure to neuroscience and medical sciences, creative integration of STEM concepts through digital art and NFT-based learning, and impact evaluation. Based on the assessment, the program improved students’ scientific understanding, learning motivation, and classroom engagement, consistent with stronger memory retention through hands-on and visual learning strategies. By combining neuroscience concepts with digital innovation, the initiative reinforced the role of active learning environments in supporting cognitive engagement and sustained interest in STEM subjects, particularly among underserved learners. Overall, STEM@USM illustrates how neuroscience-informed pedagogy can bridge the STEM gap for indigenous education while providing a versatile platform for community empowerment. Beyond its local impact, the initiative offers a scalable, adaptable framework that integrates cognitive science, digital technology, and community engagement. Future directions include extending the program to other underserved schools, strengthening longitudinal evaluation of educational and cognitive outcomes, and positioning neuroscience-based experiential learning as a strategic approach for advancing equitable STEM development.

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References

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Published

2026-09-17

How to Cite

Ahmad, F., Senik , M. H., Che Has, A. T., Sulong, S., Ahmad, A., Yusoff, S., Mohd Nafi, S. N., Awang, A. H., & Osman, Z. F. (2026). Neuroscience for all: empowering memory and learning among orang asli students through STEM@USM program. Neuroscience Research Notes, 9(3), 515.1–515.6. https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v9i3.515

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2026): Regular Issue

Section

News and Views

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Copyright (c) 2026 Farizan Ahmad, Mohd Harizal Senik , Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has, Sarina Sulong, Azlina Ahmad, Surini Yusoff, Siti Norasikin Mohd Nafi, Ahmad Hayani Awang, Zul Faizuddin Osman

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