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Science project work in Singapore: Some case-studies
Citation
Boo, H. K., & Tan, D. K. C. (2000, September 4-6). Science project work in Singapore: Some case-studies. In J. Ee, B. Kaur, N. H. Lee, & B. H. Yeap (Eds.), New ‘literacies’: Educational response to a knowledge-based society: Proceedings of the ERA-AME-AMIC Joint Conference 2000 (pp. 446-452). Educational Research Association.
Abstract
In 1988 a scheme was launched by the Ministry of Education which promoted the use of project work as one of the formal means of assessment in the lower secondary science curriculum. Under the scheme, every lower secondary science pupil was expected to undertake a science project, in teams comprising 2 to 4 members, with assessment based on the products (research reports, models, etc.) and the team’s oral presentation. Besides the formal school science curriculum, science projects have also been given prominence through the annual Singapore Youth Science Festival which features a a science project competition every year, alternating between secondary/junior college and primary science projects. To further encourage project work, the Ministry of Education has revised the admission criteria for university admission to include interdisciplinary project work with effect from the year 2003. This paper discusses recent examples of actual science projects done by secondary school students and considers the lessons to be learned from them with respect to the conceptualisation and execution of projects.
Date Issued
September 2000
Description
This paper was published in the Proceedings of the ERA-AME-AMIC Joint Conference held at Singapore from 4-6 September 2000