When Science Meets the World

 

Phang Wen Bin

UCSI University

 

As I am typing this article, I have been thinking, if computer was never created in the past century, will I be able to type this piece of essay by using MS Word to take part in this competition? Without the great invention of World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee, can I witness this breakthrough of information technology by knowing the existence of this contest? As I put my thoughts into words, another question pops out of nowhere, “scientific discoveries have brought us to the exhilarating world today, but where are we, the younger generation going to bring the world?”

 

Standing at the crossroad, with much fear and excitement, my thoughts reeled back to the milestones achieved in science and technology in the past. We have Robert Hooke who came up with the Hooke’s Law and the spring which has been very useful in many devices, Sir Isaac Newton who has contributed in Calculus, Gravitational Law, and Law of Motion, Marie Curie who found the elements polonium and radium, as well as Albert Einstein who has managed to revolutionize the physics world with his notable Theory of Relativity.

 

However, at the same time, we do see some unprecedented consequences appear alongside with the advancement in science. Nuclear weapons and biological warfare pose a lethal threat in causing massacre of mankind if they are deliberately used. With the growing understanding in genomics and biotechnology, cloning is made possible but artificial reproduction might cause a huge impact on the natural selection in the survival of all living beings. A tremendous increase in the consumption of fossil fuel has helped us greatly in transportation and brings in wealth to some countries, yet the environmental destructions caused such as the depletion of ozone layer due to greenhouse gases have put our Earth at stakes.

 

As a generation of the new millennium, I suggest that a holistic approach in science and technology should be taken. To form a more equitable and sustainable world, we have to ensure that science is being rightfully used to tackle educational, environmental, economic, and social problems.

 

In bridging the “knowledge gap” between the advanced nations and the Third World Countries, we ought to think about those children who might have lost the opportunities to learn at a very early age, let alone being interested in science. Worldwide competitions like

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and International Olympiads in
Informatics (IOI) are indeed two successful initiatives in searching for distinguished young
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talents. However, these two are only catered for the creme de la creme. We might consider adopting the method, by organizing lower-level science camps and technology competitions, which are led by previous years’ winners in ISEF and IOI. They can teach and inspire their peers who do not have the chances to get in touch with the trainings and teachings in the field of science. This innovative idea is in line with one of the overarching objectives structured in the Medium-Term Strategy of UNESCO from year 2008 to 2013-Attaining quality Education for All.

 

Innovations in cross-fields technologies have brought mankind to a new and bizarre dimension which we have never thought before. Biomedical electronics, pharmacogenomics and green technology are the megatrends in the 21st century, which I believe will pioneer the developments and applications of science in the future. I remembered reading an article in the Scientific American, about tidal power is the emerging new energy source. It dawned on me that maybe we can adopt the biogas method to generate our vehicles. We all know that metabolism processes in our bodies produce sweat and carbon dioxide, but can we manufacture a waste-detector in our car so that the waste materials can be absorbed and used to fuel our vehicles? If this idea can work, the first organic car will be created and shake the world with its enticing features!

 

Furthermore, I wish to spearhead a research in biomedical electronics field. I dream of creating an electronic device, equipped with a complex algorithm which enables us to decipher what lies within our brainwaves and convert it to words. If we manage to achieve this, we might be able to help patients who are having problems in dyslexia, autism and depression. We will be able to listen to their thoughts and give appropriate medications.

 

Science dares us to dream the impossible, gives us the courage to venture into the unknowns, and challenges us to be determined when we are doubtful. But to me, the word Science has a different meaning too, where ‘S’ stands for solidarity, ‘C’ for compassion, ‘I’ for interdependence, ‘E’ for empathy while ‘N’ for neutrality. Science is about the perfect combination of knowledge and humanity values. Only by understanding them, we can create a better world through science and technology.