We believe that strong interest in any area provides unequalled internal motivation and acts as a powerful driving force along the way of self-directed and independent learning. Along that inspired road, an encounter with a mentor can be the beginning of a rewarding lifelong learning experience. We strive, through the Special Programmes, to stoke that special passion in the individual learner and open doors for those with the aptitude, interest and commitment.
The Science Mentorship Programmes are structured to develop interest and talent in scientific research amongst our pupils. It provides opportunities for pupils with interest and aptitude in science to deepen their knowledge in a particular area, to learn about the latest research developments and to be challenged by the intellectually stimulating process of scientific research.
The Science Mentorship Programmes are structured with the aim of developing pupils’ interest and talent in scientific research. They provide opportunities for pupils with interest and aptitude in science to deepen their knowledge in a particular area, to learn about the latest research developments and to be challenged by the intellectually stimulating process of scientific research.
Secondary 3 and 4 GEP, SBGE, IP pupils and selected non-GEP pupils
The programmes comprise two parts:
Mentors from the participating institutions are invited to offer projects for the programmes. Pupils who are keen to participate in the programmes select the project that interests them. Alternatively, pupils may propose their own projects and source for their own mentors.
In the course of mentorship, pupils are exposed to the scientific process of problem solving, exploration and discovery to develop intellectual skills and curiosity that stimulate them to evaluate and challenge information rather than be passive learners.
Pupils meet their mentors 3 hours weekly from January to May and work on their project and spend 2 weeks full-time during the June holidays at the tertiary institutions. Pupils then write a scientific paper for publication in the Proceedings of the Youth Science Conference.
The Youth Science Conference is the culminating event of the SMP. This event showcases through posters and oral presentations all the projects in the programmes to an audience of peers, teachers and scientists.
The Science Mentorship Programmes comprise the following separate programmes, jointly organised by the Gifted Education Branch, MOE, with the following institutions:
All pupils who are interested in science from our selected top secondary schools who are interested in science are eligible to apply. Pupils will be admitted to the SMP based on the following criteria: