Science
The SGS Science department aims to inculcate in our students a strong interest and joy in the learning of Science, nurture positive scientific values and attitudes by providing varied, authentic, relevant, real-world learning experiences so as to nurture effective and competent contributors. We strive to enable our students to seek data and information to validate observations of phenomena with a scientific mindset and inquiring mind, to understand scientific applications in the real world.
Programmes in the science department aim to provide an array of authentic learning experiences for students: These include the following:
a. Partnership with external partners to provide authentic learning experiences to engage students in exploring Science beyond their classrooms. e.g. Science Centre, NUS, Polytechnics, etc.
b. STEM related research activities to develop dispositions such as resilience and adaptability when they brainstormed to solve real-world issues. e.g. food security issues.
c. Multidisciplinary approaches to cultivate creativity and awareness for sustainable living. e.g Hydrophonics programme.
d. Yong Explorer’s Experiment Toolkit (YEET) to foster self-directed learning using home-based DIY experiments and the affordance of ICT.
e. Participation in external competitions. e.g. Annual Genetic Modification Advisory Committee challenge, biennial Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge
The SGS Science Team
Science Department Programmes
Secondary One student participants of the STEM Playground Challenge, jointly organised by Science Centre Singapore, James Dyson Foundation and CPDD. The challenge involves exploring the various possibility of constructing a free standing bridge out of a given number of satay sticks, to ensure that the final bridge design supports objects of approximately one kilogram in weight.
Bridge construction in progress; students have had the opportunity to listen each other’s ideas and collaborating to construct a bridge using an agreed design.
Students harvesting lush crops of wong bok from into the Hydroponics bed
After weeks of tending and caring for the Hydroponics crops, students’ perseverance is paid off with bags of wong bok, complete with a therapeutic and satisfying harvesting experience at the Hydroponics greenhouse.
Hydroponics crops packed by students for school staff, to advocate for urban farming and sustainable living in our community.
Applying the ‘Farm-to-Table’ concept, students are busy preparing dishes of wong bok, and part of interdisciplinary collaboration with the Nutrition & Food Science (NFS) unit.
A ‘taste of success’, students proud of their prepared dishes, enjoying and sharing the fruits of their labour with each other.
Finalists presenting at the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) challenge, involving poster creation and presentation component (if successfully shortlisted by GMAC for the finals). Although the theme of the challenges vary across the years, the context generally centers around the implication of gene-editing technologies and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on mitigating climate change, addressing food sustainability and benefits to mankind.
Our happy participants, coming in as runner-up for GMAC in 2023, for their project titled ‘Can Gene-Edited Meaty Pigs be the Future of Sustainable Farming?’
Student participants in the Singapore International STEM Innovation Challenge (STSTEMIC), a biennial international event that brings together students from ages 14-18 around the world to compete, collaborate and innovate in Science.
Our SISTEMIC students in action, confidently presenting and showcasing their innovative research and engineering design titled, Recycled Water Dispenser System (or ReWarDS), via poster and prototypes/proof of concepts, on Environmental and Costal Protection (Solid waste management), to Minister of National Development, Mr Desmond Lee during the expo. Their design encourages the community to recycle bottles and cans through a dispenser system attached to recycling bins which utilises rainwater to wash bottles and cans for recycling.
Teacher mentor and a team of 3 students of the Explorer Track in SISTEMIC, having embarked and completed the semester long project for the challenge.
Attaining the Bronze Award (2nd runner up) from among the 20 explorer teams participating in SISTEMIC, by a team of academics from various academic, research institutes and industry partners on the quality of the innovation and the impact of the work on society.