Engaging inquisitive young minds in Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion can be a fun and exhilarating experience.

Pupils busy building a rocket car with help from a volunteer.

He should be playing football on a Saturday morning but T. Karthigaivelan chooses to build a rocket car at Agilent Technologies Microwave Products (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Karthi, as he is fondly known, is participating in the Agilent After School programme, which began in the United States about 15 years ago. The programme teaches science in a fun and creative way.

The participants, students ages nine to 13 years old, gain a deeper understanding of the subject by carrying out experiments.

Agilent Technologies general manager Noorashidah Ahmad says every year participants are given tools to carry out various science experiments such as creating electronic circuit games and building balloon-powered cars.
This year, the participants are assigned to build a rocket car based on the principle of Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion, "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".

About 250 participants from four schools - SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee, SJK (C) Yu Chye, Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Ara and SMK Teluk Kumbar II, all in Penang - took part in the programme this year. Another 100 children of Agilent Technologies employees also participated in this programme.

About 60 Agilent Technologies staff volunteered to carry out this programme.

Noorashidah says the company spent about US$3,000 (RM10,500) on the programme. She believes it is worth the investment as participants can better learn about the forces of action and reaction.

Participants also learn the importance of precision, axles, bearings and symmetry when building the rocket car.

Each student is provided with a science kit including an arts and crafts set.

Each volunteer is assigned to guide up to four participants.
The participants who build the fastest rocket car get a prize. Participants are also encouraged to take their finished projects home. This allows them to continue learning the concept as well as share their experiences with others.

Although Karthi did not win any of the top three prizes, he went home with a better understanding of the Laws of Motion, and perhaps some inspiration from Newton to form his own theory some day.