Extended Curriculum
SST ChangeMakers Programme
Our mission at SST is to nurture passionate innovators who improve society through real world application of science and technology.
The ChangeMakers Programme (Lower Secondary) aims to provide students with an integrated learning experience
towards developing the attitudes and attributes of an innovator with an entrepreneurial mind. The programme integrates
principles, knowledge and skills mainly from the following subjects:
- Art, Design, Media and Technology (ADMT)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E)
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Students are taught to apply design thinking as an integral part of the innovation process to improve the lives of people. They
learn by taking a project through all its stages – from conceptualisation, planning, designing, building the models, prototyping
and developing business plans to bring innovation to the market place. The ChangeMakers Programme involves industry
partners to provide students with insights into real world applications in various areas, and where possible, mentor students
working on selected projects.
Watch the video to hear from Mr Irfan Darian, HOD of ADMT, Mr Lam Hin Chew, Dean of Student Development (then HOD of S&W) and Mr Aurelius Yeo, HOD of ICT, discuss the need for the new ChangeMakers Programme, what skill sets they are hoping to develop in our students and what they wish to achieve towards the end of the programme.
Art, Design, Media and Technology (ADMT)
ADMT equips students with the fundamentals of Graphic & Information Design, Product & Industrial Design, as well as Interactive Digital Media & Video Production. Post instruction, students will be guided by Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) protocols in identifying real-world issues and designing solutions to these problems, which include those in the area of energy conservation. Some ideas and solutions have been showcased in prototypes and animated clips that incorporate stop-motion photography.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E)
The I&E programme adopts a targeted early approach to instil in students a sense of curiosity, a passion for creativity, an innovative spirit, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Students will be inspired by the stories shared by real-life entrepreneurs and Singapore icons for their work in contributing to the local economy. Social and business enterprise projects are just some of the many exciting learning experiences that are in store for our students.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
“Technology as a way of life” is a dictum at SST as we believe that the 1:1 ICT-enabled learning environment elevates student engagement in learning and stretches each student’s potential. The use of simulation tools, cutting-edge geometrical software and applets, as well as online platforms and tools, all contribute to the creation of a dynamic and interactive classroom. Beyond software application and computational thinking, SST provides differentiated opportunities for students to develop the skills and attributes of designers, makers and programmers.
As a forerunner in transforming learning, the school believes in helping to build an empowered community. While SST students take the lead in running several nationwide ICT initiatives such as Cyber Wellness Student Ambassador Programme (CWSAP). SST teachers also help other educators adopt innovative teaching practices through platforms such as Teach@SST Lab School and Tech Summit@SST Lab School. Learn more about SST Lab School here.
Learning in SST exposes students to new areas while building key competencies. Building on what they have learnt, students hone their skills through the SST-3M InnoScience Challenge for Secondary 1 students, and the SST ChangeMakers InnoFest in Secondary 2.
SST-3M InnoScience Challenge 2018
The theme for SST-3M InnoScience Challenge 2018 was Innovating and Improving Lives, where students were tasked to develop prototypes for solutions to issues faced by a rescue-worker, the leader of a non-profit organisation, and an elderly member of society.
The top three teams came up with very innovative ideas. Receiving the first place, Vestcuer came up with the idea of helping wildlife rescuers save animals more efficiently and do their job better. This vest bag is convenient, cheap, durable, waterproof(ish) and efficient. The first runner-up, Drop, designed a water filter with a coffee-machine like a filter system. It also utilises UV rays and all-natural filter materials with add on vitamins and minerals for a multitude of health benefits. The second runner-up, Deopot, thought of a food storage and water filtering system that is designed to help villagers to have consistent access to food and clean water.
Click here for more highlights of the event.
SST-3M InnoScience Challenge 2019
The theme for 2019’s challenge was Designing with Technology: Improving Urban Living, where students considered the issues faced by Singaporeans in the field of transport and safety, and were tasked to design an innovative product that will improve lives. Earlier in the year, the Secondary 1 students had various consultation sessions with 3M mentors and worked hard to prepare themselves for the final presentation.
The top three teams showcased ideas such as a compact heat-sensing device that aims to reduce and prevent residential fire incidents, an improved flooring design to reduce congestion while travelling in public transport and a modular and portable safety speed bump to reduce speeding incidences.
Click here for more highlights of the event.
SST-3M InnoScience Challenge 2020
The 2020’s challenge took place virtually. Based on the theme, Improving the quality of life through sustainable technologies, students reflected on their everyday lives and paid close attention to their surroundings. In the lead up to the event, students learnt concepts such as design thinking and emerging technology and worked on their projects with their mentors from 3M to improve their prototypes and prepare for the final presentation.
The second runner-up, team Aircon Men came up with an air conditioning temperature sensor that helps save electricity. Their product titled “Ambient” is able to detect if the air conditioning temperature that is out of the environmentally-friendly range (24-25 Degrees Celcius) and sends notifications to its users, reminding them to maintain eco-conscious electricity use habits. It is paired with a phone app to help adjust the temperature more conveniently. The first runner-up, The Pigeon Club, designed a solution to combat procrastination. Their product titled “Hedwig” is a phone storage “cage” that only opens when its user’s tasks are completed. This group received praises for their presentation skills during their Q&A session. The winning team, Undefined, presented their solution to improving everyday life with sustainable technologies. Their product titled ‘Genom Tryck’ aims to remind users to maintain a proper posture to lessen risks associated with poor back health.
Click here for more highlights of the event.
SST ChangeMakers InnoFest 2018
Secondary 2 students were the first cohort to experience the InnoFest as a part of our novel ChangeMakers Programme. Having experienced ADMT, ICT and I&E as distinct subjects, students are well placed to appreciate the synergies across these disciplines. It was a lively and fruitful three days, where students worked together in teams to come up with solutions to help Singapore cope better with regards to the elderly population.
Click here for more highlights of the event.
SST ChangeMakers InnoFest 2019
In 2019, students came up with solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of natural or man-made disasters. Students worked on developing apps and/or prototypes that will help our partner organisations mitigate their challenges for better outcomes, such as managing disasters around the region.
On Day 1 of the InnoFest, students went on learning journeys to locations such as Yishun Fire Station (Singapore Civil Defence Force), Mercy Relief and Singapore Red Cross. This allowed them to find out more about the issues faced before working on a solution together with their group mates. They were guided by the ChangeMakers process, which enabled them to identify various stages and served as a point of guidance during the project. Since the challenge took on the format of a hackathon, our changemakers spent the second day and night fine-tuning their innovative and impactful ideas.
On the last day of the InnoFest, Guest-Of-Honour, Mr Graeme McPherson, Head of Personal Care Product at Dyson, shared with the audience about the use of technology in enhancing a product, the multiple roles that are essential to a project, as well as how they will have to work hard to realise their goals, despite the many failures that they will meet along the way.
Click here for more highlights of the event.
SST ChangeMakers InnoFest 2020
REThinking the ‘new normal’ in a post-COVID world was the theme for the 2020 ChangeMakers InnoFest. Students were challenged to develop prototype-able solutions that would mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the broad nature of the theme and the wide-ranging impact of the pandemic, students were able to choose from 4 sub-themes to narrow down the scope of the challenge. They are Public Transportation System; Tourism Spots/Places of Interest; Sports & Wellness; and Rethinking spaces and buildings.
In the course of 3 days, students work in teams, guided by the ChangeMakers Process, and proposed solutions to mitigate the challenges in a pandemic-centric world. The winning team came up with an application to integrate physical travel with augmented reality. The application allows users to book tours led by a virtual guide, whilst wearing a pair of smart glasses prototype. The prototype would provide the experience of augmented reality as they travel the country of their choice.
Click here for more highlights of the event.