Yogyakarta, October 22, 2025 — To commemorate its 14th Lustrum and the 70th Anniversary, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMIPA UGM), held the MIPA Expo 2025 at the FMIPA Auditorium. Carrying the theme “Science and Technology Towards Golden Indonesia 2045”, the first day of the event was filled with engaging sessions combining science, technology, and inspiration for the younger generation.
One of the highlights was the MIPA Talk: Entertaining Science, STEM Ambassador, featuring Najwa Fitria Sugiarto, Miss Bantul, who is also a 2024 cohort student of the Statistics Study Program, Department of Mathematics, FMIPA UGM, as the guest speaker. During the session on Wednesday (October 22), Najwa shared her experiences and insights on how science can be presented in a fun and relatable way in everyday life.
Najwa talked about her visit to the Gwoongsari Waste Processing Site (TPS) in Bantul, which successfully transforms waste into useful products such as furniture and compost. She emphasized that science can turn things that are often overlooked into something more valuable and economically beneficial. “Science isn’t something to be afraid of. Even from simple things like waste management, we can learn how science works and creates real impacts,” she said.
In her talk, Najwa also highlighted the importance of learning statistics in daily life, from time management to making simple decisions like choosing what to eat. She added that young people need to understand science because it trains them to think critically and logically, making them less susceptible to misinformation.
Responding to the common perception that science and statistics are difficult and boring subjects, Najwa encouraged the audience to change their perspective. “Science isn’t just about formulas or numbers; it’s a way of thinking that we can find in everyday activities, like when we scroll through our phones,” she said. The audience showed great enthusiasm throughout the session, with many students eager to ask questions during the Q&A segment.
After the MIPA Talk, the event continued with an Interactive Workshop: Monte Carlo Simulation, featuring Rudi Adha Prihandoko, S.Si., M.Si., and Zenith Purisha, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., lecturers from the Department of Mathematics, along with Muhammad Faqih Adhyatma, a 2024 cohort student of the Statistics Study Program, as speakers. In this session, participants learned the basic concepts of statistics and the application of the Monte Carlo method through a live coding demonstration led by Rudi Adha and Zenith Purisha.
Through a simple simulation to estimate the value of π (Pi) by calculating the area of a circle using thousands of random points, participants were able to see how statistical theory can be implemented computationally. The session became even more lively when participants were invited to modify the code and run their own simulations.
In addition, the Department of Mathematics also set up an interactive booth to introduce high school students attending the MIPA Expo to the Undergraduate Mathematics Study Program. Beyond providing academic information, the booth also featured several educational games such as Balance Beams and Finding Princess. These activities allowed students to learn and play while exploring the mathematical concepts behind each game. The high enthusiasm was evident as students eagerly took part in the activities while engaging in discussions with Mathematics Department students.
The first day of MIPA Expo 2025 demonstrated that science can be presented in an engaging and interactive way—combining inspiration, education, and hands-on experience to foster young people’s interest in science and technology.
Keywords: MIPA Expo 2025, Interactive Science
Writer: Shafira Fauzia Untsa
Photos: Mathematics Department Media Team