https://neuroscirn.org/ojs/index.php/nrnotes/issue/feed 2026-09-30T00:00:00+08:00 Editorial Office editorial@neuroscirn.org Open Journal Systems A high quality, free open access and peer-reviewed journal from scientists to scientists. https://neuroscirn.org/ojs/index.php/nrnotes/article/view/515 2026-06-10T01:48:51+08:00 Farizan Ahmad farizan@usm.my Mohd Harizal Senik mharizalsenik@usm.my Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has ahmadtarmizi@usm.my Sarina Sulong ssarina@usm.my Azlina Ahmad azlinakb@usm.my Surini Yusoff surini@usm.my Siti Norasikin Mohd Nafi snmn@usm.my Ahmad Hayani Awang sekolah-3142-pgb@moe-dl.edu.my Zul Faizuddin Osman zulfaizuddin@gmail.com

<p>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.</p>

2026-09-17T00:00:00+08:00 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