English Department Leverages on Technology

The English Language Department has spearheaded programmes that underpin the student as an empathetic communicator. Its main thrust is to equip the child with these skills to make an impact in society. At lower secondary, Virtual Reality (VR) goggles are used to help students overcome their fear of public speaking. The upper secondary professional learning team then leveraged gamification strategies to scaffold student’s learning. Gamification as a strategy for writing was introduced to help students write more effectively. During lessons, students could build their own avatars and compete with their friends to gain points for some tasks that were created for them. They then embarked on a role-playing game assuming the identity of an explorer on various journeys to different parts of Singapore.

Head of Department, English Language and Literature, Mr Muhammad Hafiz Bin Salleh shared that

“Our department teachers have been authenticating the students’ experience to build relevance in their everyday teaching. We believe that effective communication skill in speaking and writing is important so that when the student leaves Springfield, they will be able to realise the power of the language and be able to use it effectively in all domains of their lives.”

Experiential Learning

The Mathematics Department makes abstract concepts more concrete and applicable in everyday life. On Pi day, children’s stories were used to make Maths come alive. Pi, an important concept in Mathematics was taught through story-telling techniques. It was to give Springfield students a greater appreciation and understanding of Pi and its origins. The programme was also supported with an SLS package, through fun activities centred around Pi.

The teacher’s spirit of innovation took greater heights as trigonometry ratios were taught in an experiential way. Students were tasked to measure the height of the flagpole using trigonometric ratios. They had to use the measuring app on their phones to find the angle of elevation of the flag pole from fixed distances. After gathering data, students tabulated their data on google sheets. They made use of the formulas within google sheets to aid in their calculations. This experience gave them exposure to Excel which can be seen as an introduction to coding. Students enjoyed the experience of gathering their data and were able to collaborate online.

Experiential Learning:

Math Trail

As an alternative assessment, students underwent a Math Trail where they had to collaborate in pairs to solve real-world mathematical questions. Students researched for information that they need by going to various locations within the school like the General Office and school canteen. With the information gathered, they then apply their knowledge to solve the questions at hand.

Students were also given the opportunity to apply their mathematical concepts when they were given actual data collected via the school's 'Walk for Rice' campaign to evaluate the speed at which some students walked during the campaign.

Experiential Learning:

Supermarket Experience

Students were tasked to ‘visit’ the supermarket to experience the process of decision-making and budgeting as part of enriching students’ learning. Students were tasked to spend their $10 voucher to buy as many chocolates as they could. They had to use the concept of approximation and estimation to make full use of the voucher that they had.

INTEGRATED LEARNING

Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of the National University of Singapore

“Covid-19 has exposed many “wicked problems” that are ill-defined, mutate all the time, defy single-discipline solutions and even challenge established bodies of knowledge. The pandemic has taught us that it is more than a medical issue, with a broader impact on society, politics, the economy and the environment. To even try to understand it much less solve it, requires integrating knowledge, skills and insights from different perspectives.”

SFSS has made inroads into interdisciplinary approaches in learning. The Mathematics and Science departments have combined their efforts in ensuring that students are able to have a holistic view of their subjects.

Science and Math Dept. Integrated Learning:

Kite Making and Flying

Kite-making during post-exam was an activity where students explored the Mathematical concepts of the Bernoulli principle and Physics concepts of the different forces that act on the kite which allows it to ascend: tension, thrust, drag, lift and gravity.

Science and Math Dept. Integrated Learning:

Escape Room

A collaborative effort by the Mathematics and Science department, the Escape Room experience for all secondary 1 students sought to integrate multiple concepts from both subjects taught throughout the year. These concepts were presented along with some gamification through the use of the online application Decktoys platform. Students were immersed in a storyline, having to solve mathematical and science-based puzzles in order to 'fly their plane out of the Bermuda Triangle'. Through the use of their learning devices, students worked collaboratively, applying their knowledge towards a novel and exciting scenario.

Science and NFS Unit Carnival:

Fiesta

A Nutrition and Food Science (NFS) & Science Carnival was organised for Secondary 2 students to explore science and food in the world around them, through exciting and engaging activities such as building their very own roller coaster and designing a 3D jelly cake. These activities were carefully planned to extend students learning of scientific concepts that they had previously learned during lessons.

Science Research Programme 2022

15th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge

Over the course of three months, four Secondary 3 Chemistry students (GERMAIN LEE JIA EN (3E), SYAKIRAH NUR WARDINA BINTE SAMSURI (3E), ARCHER JETT MAVERICK MUDJADI (3E), MUHAMMAD RAZIQ BIN MUHAMMAD RAFI (3E)) explored the chemistry of crystal growing through research, experimentation and analysis. Their crystals were presented at the 15th Singapore National Crystal Challenge organised by the National University of Singapore, in May 2022.

Science Research Programme 2022

Eat Your Farm Competition

Nine Secondary 2 students researched and explored Health and Food Science to create the most tasty and nutritional dish and drink for teens. The students have to apply what they have learned through online workshops and learning journeys on food nutrition, hydroponics and micro:bit, to grow and monitor their own healthy vegetables for their dishes.

Their projects were presented at the Eat Your Farm Competition in August 2022, co-organised by Science Centre Singapore and Republic Polytechnic.

The nine students are split into two groups, and are listed as follows:

Science Research Programme 2022

A*STAR-VJC Science Fair

Over the course of four months, 12 Secondary 3 students conducted research and experiments on three chosen Science research topics. Their projects were presented at the A*STAR-VJC Science Fair, in July 2022.

Group 1 ('Effects of healthy ingredients in promoting probiotics growth') investigated the effect of ingredients commonly found in beverage outlets in Singapore when mixed with the drink Yakult. Their research aim was to find out whether these ingredients would promote or hinder the growth of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, a probiotics found in Yakult. The group discovered that milk best promoted the growth of Yakult bacteria.

Group 2 ('Effects of gaming on in-class performance') explored how the prevalence of gaming using students' Personal Learning Devices (PLDs) affected students' performance in class. Through a series of tests, their research found out that there is a slight negative effect of gaming on in-class performance.

Group 3 ('Effectiveness of food wastes as organic fertilisers for Spinach growth') explored how well different organic food wastes (e.g., coffee powder, chicken bones, egg shells) assist in the growth of spinach. They discovered that chicken bones were the best organic fertilisers to promote the growth of spinach.

Malay Language and Podcasting

The Malay Language Unit has introduced Podcasting as one of the latest mediums to emerge into the mainstream into their curriculum. The podcast is an audio programme, just like Talk Radio. It is a series of spoken word, audio episodes, focused on a particular topic or theme. One can access it via their smartphone and listen to it whenever and wherever they like. Thus, podcast provides the students with the opportunity to learn, as a podcaster or a listener, anytime or anywhere. Students are able to have an opportunity to enhance their language skills at their own convenience.

In Springfield Secondary School, the teaching and learning of Mother Tongue Languages (both Chinese and Malay Languages) emphasises on the need for it to be authentic and contextual. Learning can and should take place not only beyond the four walls of the classroom but at the student’s own convenience. Thus, there is a need to design the programme, materials, and approaches to provide the opportunity for students to experience learning anytime and anywhere.

Malay Language students created podcasts which required them to record their conversations with each other about key issues like racial harmony. They even interviewed Mr Masagos about the planning of Tampines development. Podcast topics range from music, social media to festivals.

Humanities Department

Geography, History and Social Studies are subject units that makes the Humanities department. Springfield’s Humanities Programme seeks to engage our students in an appreciation of the real world issues that impact their lives. It aims to encourage students to investigate the past, help them make sense of the world they live in, and equip them with the skills to envision the future. In so doing, the programme will not only cultivate critical and creative life-long learners but ultimately young citizens who are active, responsible, socially-aware and possessing a global perspective.

Craft and Technology Department

Art, Design and Technology, Music and Nutrition and Food Science are subject units that makes the department Craft and Technology. With the vision of Inquisitive Minds, Creative Innovators, the department aims to inspire learners with an appreciation for design, art and culture and to nurture learners with an awareness of real world issues in order to innovate creative solutions.

Art

Design and Technology

Music

Nutrition and Food Science

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