Science
Discover how Xingnan Primary School nurtures young scientists through hands-on programmes and competitions. See our students' achievements and the key programmes on offer.
Science
At Xingnan Primary School, our Science Department seeks to leverage students’ interest and stimulate their curiosity about themselves and their environment, inspiring Xingnanians to inquire and innovate. Our programmes are designed to provide authentic and experiential learning opportunities that support the development of 21st Century Competencies such as Critical, Adaptive & Inventive Thinking. We leverage Educational Technology to personalise learning experiences and empower students to take ownership of their learning of Science.
Curriculum Framework
The MOE Science Curriculum Framework encapsulates the thrust of Science education in Singapore to provide students with a strong foundation in Science for life, learning, citizenry, and work. The vision of Science Education in Singapore represented by the three “IN”s—Inspire, Inquire and Innovate, can be achieved through developing in students a strong grounding in scientific knowledge, practices and values.
Key Approaches
Students as Inquirers through Authentic Experiential Learning
We envision students to enjoy learning Science and to value Science in their everyday lives. We believe that all students are curious and want to explore and learn about things around them.
To nurture students as inquirers, we facilitate a variety of authentic experiential learning experiences to support students in inquiry-based learning and guided discovery.
The Inquiry Process
Through these learning experiences, students engage with understanding core ideas, practising Ways of Thinking and Doing (WOTD) Science, and cultivating values, ethics, and attitudes. We aim to inspire students to:
Ask questions as they engage with various learning experiences
Gather evidence (observations/ data) in response to their questions
Formulate explanations based on the evidence gathered
Connect their explanations to various contexts
Communicate and justify their explanations
Reflect on their learning and progress
Opportunities for Learning
In the learning of Science, students are given opportunities to:
Learn with Others: Pair, group or whole class interactions
Learn using Different Resources: Textbooks, Activity Books, SLS, Performance Tasks, STEM activities
Learn in Various Environments: Observations in the garden, Experiments in the Explore Rooms (Science Labs), Workshops in Singapore Science Centre
Key Programmes
We provide differentiated programmes to deepen the learning of students with strengths and talents in Science, while strengthening the understanding of core scientific ideas among students who require additional support.
Science Centre Enrichment Programme
The Singapore Centre enrichment programmes complement the school science curriculum with inspiring hands-on learning experiences. Students are engaged in hands-on workshops in their specialised teaching labs to deepen and extend their learning beyond the classrooms.
After-school Support Programme (ASP)
This is a remediation programme for selected P4 & P6 students to provide additional support for your child/ward to improve in his/her mastery and attainment of relevant skills and concepts in Science.
Excellence 2000 Science (E2K)
The E2K Science Programme engages selected P4 & P5 students in scientific investigations involving advanced science concepts. Students are engaged in scientific inquiry to develop ways of thinking and doing science and 21st century competencies such as Critical, Adaptive and Inventive Thinking and effective Communication Skills.
Singapore Science Buskers
The Singapore Science Buskers competition, organised by A*STAR and Science Centre Singapore, aims to promote the communication and creative expression of scientific concepts while generating greater interest and vibrancy in science communication. It encourages students to learn Science in a fun and engaging manner, while raising public awareness and interest in the wider field of Science.
Singapore Youth STEM Fair (SYSF)
The Singapore Youth STEM Fair, sponsored by Abbott Laboratories and co-organised by the Science Centre Singapore and the Science Teachers’ Association of Singapore, celebrates the importance of STEM and promotes interdisciplinary learning. It aims to encourage students to engage in inquiry through investigative and prototyping projects, develop creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving, and deepen their awareness and interest in STEM research and development.
Abbott Young Scientist Programme
This programme is organised by Science Centre Singapore and Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, supported by the Ministry of Education.
The programme consists of a structured scheme involving project work, science content and science communication skills. The Award is a form of bursary for training the students in science through mentoring. It is meant for P5 students who are on financial assistance or with community or school records that indicate a disadvantaged background.
Science Competitions
Science competitions aim to provide students opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Science while cultivating a sense of wonder and curiosity towards the subject. Some competitions students take part in include (i) Singapore Primary Science Olympia (P5) (ii) Raffles Science Olympiad (P5); and (iii) River Valley Stem Fest (P6), (iv) Singapore Science Buskers (P4) (v) Singapore Youth STEM Fair (P4/P5).