Science

Goal(s)

• To nurture students into thinkers, innovators, and contributors.

• To cultivate the joy of learning Science by developing students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes in scientific-thinking through a well-designed curriculum that focuses on scientific inquiry and authentic learning.

• To prepare students for a life-long passion in learning Science and enable them to innovate and contribute to a technologically-driven society.

Key Programmes

Beyond Classroom Experience: A variety of science-based activities that exposes students to science beyond the textbook in different environments.

Science Department Teachers

Thinker-Innovator-Contributor Highlights / Achievements (focusing on learning experiences / processes):

Programme:

Interdisciplinary and Inquiry-based Learning at Rifle Range Nature Park during Student Learning Fest (SLF)

The Science Department adopted an interdisciplinary (Biology-Geography) and inquiry-based approach to allow Secondary 4 and 5 Biology students to appreciate three overarching ideas: (1) sustainability and conservation, (2) relationship between humans and nature and (3) protection of species. This was done through a pre-SLF lesson and learning journey at Rifle Range Nature Park. Through the entire learning experience, students became well-informed of Singapore's efforts in sustainability endeavors and witnessed the application of science and technology in park management and conservation. Students also gained emerging 21st century competencies as they worked in groups to make sense of conflicting needs in Singapore (i.e. urban development and environmental conservation) and to critically evaluate collected evidence.

Students visited checkpoints at Rifle Range Nature Park to observe and collect information on sustainability features within the park.

Students were rewarded with a panoramic view at the Culogo Deck

Secondary 2 Jiemin Primary School Science Outreach

As part of the Secondary 2 science talent program, a group of 24 Secondary 2 students participated in Jiemin Primary School’s science fair on 26 June 2024. During the science fair, they explain science concepts that they have learnt to the primary school students. The primary school students also had the opportunity to do simple experiments and hands-on activities. The primary 5 students enthusiastically participated in hands-on experiments, where they explored concepts like electricity and chromatography.

Jiemin Primary outreach: Yishunites from the Sec 2 science talent programme explaining the science behind the popsicle stick catapult.

Achievements

Secondary 1 STEM Playground challenge

Over the course of Term 1 and Term 2, our Secondary 1 students took part in the STEM playground challenge jointly held by Science Centre Singapore, The James Dyson Foundation and MOE (CPDD). The challenge required our students to create a cotton reel using simple materials like rubber bands and toothpicks. The challenge also required use to garner votes for a video posted on a social media platform. A grand total of 15,716 students from 111 primary and secondary schools participated. Yishun Secondary School has emerged top 10 in the Secondary School Category.

Stem Challenge: Sec 1 science students trying to create cotton reel from simple materials like toothpicks and rubber bands.

9th Singapore Junior Biology Olympiad (SJBO)

SJBO is an annual Biology competition that pushes students to excel in the discipline by incorporating practical skills and thinking approaches in the study of Biology, and promoting critical thinking through application questions. Months of revision culminated in an Online Theory Test where students applied their learning by attempting a series of rigorous questions of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level standards, as well as IBO standard. Out of thirteen participants, Bernice Teng Kai Xin from Wong Zhi Hung from 4E1 received the Honourable Mention Award for their stellar performance.

Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) Students Challenge 2024

GMAC is a multi-agency national committee committed to its task in objectively imparting scientifically-sound information on gene modification (GM) technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the public. As part of its ongoing public education efforts, GMAC organized the infographic Design Competition based on the theme of “What is CRISPR-Cas9 Technology and its Applications?” where two teams of Pure Biology students participated in. The competition promoted active learning in our students and stimulated students’ interest in science-based GM-related topics. The teams showed commendable efforts in their research to ensure objectivity, relevance and accuracy of scientific information when designing their posters. A total of eight students received the Certificate of Participation Award.

16th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge at National University of Singapore

This is a biennial event for secondary school, junior college and polytechnic students which was held on 25 May 2024. Steffi Wee from 3 Innovate, Khoo Kang Zhe, Eugene from 3 Integrity, Mohamed Mubeen Mohamed Raseem from 3 Seek and Rathod Dhruv Dilipkumar from 3 Care and their teacher-mentors, Ms Ng Puay Hoon and Mr Joshua Khong spent months growing crystals in the school’s chemistry laboratory. This year, the students presented Ammonium Copper(II) Sulphate Hexahydrate crystals for the Junior Category. They received the Certificate of Participation Award.

Students with their crystals