GEORGE TOWN, Nov 5 ― The annual Penang International Science Fair is back and it will open with more exhibitors and events next week.

Held for the fourth consecutive year, the science fair will be held at the Subterranean Penang International Conference & Exhibition Centre (SPICE) on November 14 and 15.

When announcing the event, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the annual fair have grown over the period of four years from 12 exhibitors in 2011 to now 45 exhibitors.

“This is a very important annual event to spur continued interest in science amongst the young and students,” he said.

The science fair will feature free hands-on science workshops, robotics and software competitions, the Young Innovate Malaysia Finals and a Makerfest featuring about 46 makers from Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Those interested to attend the free workshops, there are about 4,000 slots open, during the fair can pre-register at www.pscpen.com.

Lim said the event is a collaboration between the state government and industries behind the Penang Science Cluster (PSC).

PSC, an initiative by the state government, has three main initiatives; a techmentor programme, organising the annual science fair and setting up of Penang Science Cafes to offer hands-on science and technology workshops to students.

“PSC supports 110 schools in our TechMentor Lego Robotics, Embedded System and Coding programmes with more than 150 volunteer mentors and the loan of hardware and software,” he said at the press conference in his office here.

Lim said all of PSC's programmes are free for students and that PSC is mainly led by the industry.

The PSC launched its first Penang Science Cafe at Krystal Point in December 2013 and is currently raising RM2.5 million to establish its headquarters and main science centre at the ground floor of Wisma Yeap Chor Ee are building.

The state government, through Penang Development Corporation (PDC), restored the ground floor of the building and provided the space to PSC rent-free.

PSC has raised RM2.149 million so far and will continue to raise more funds.