Learning Programs with Lifelong Impacts: DET in Singapore

Astrid Immanuella

2 years ago

Learning Programs with Lifelong Impacts: DET in Singapore

December 6, 2022

Singapore has always placed a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in our education and development of our younger generation. That’s why you’ll find many enrichment workshops and innovation labs that arose to bring STEM education closer and make it more attainable for more students. What better way to learn about robotics than by designing and building one when you attend one of our workshops, or see the new technology that surrounds urban farming to ensure food security in Singapore (we’re known to import almost everything for our tiny nation). By embarking on this learning journey with Discova, your students will gain behind-the-scenes insight into cutting-edge technology and designs that make living here more conscious and sustainable.

We recently spoke about our educational sports tour in Japan, and are now focusing on a slightly different direction in Singapore. While it is a small place, when it comes to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) the possibilities for activity are endless here. We’ve designed a 10-day tour that covers some of Singapore’s most famed modern wonders. We’ve also added special tailor-made visits to Singapore’s National Technological University and Mediacorp to give students an even closer insight into the workings of some of the world’s most advanced technologies.

Read what’s in store and the unique learning outcomes your clients can expect.

What does the program entail?

The exploration already begins upon arrival, which is not surprising given the well-deserved fame Changi Airport has garnered. When your group lands in Changi International Airport, they’ll be greeted by their English-speaking guide and have their luggage taken to the hotel, leaving them with the freedom to enjoy a guided-tour of Jewel Changi. Exceptional projection shows, interactive games and digital immersions await.

The following nine days are a whirlwind of science, art, sustainability and technology. The program includes a full-day drone-making workshop at the Singapore Science Centre, which will incorporate all four elements of STEM. Some days are interspersed with free time, and include visits to Marina Bay and the Civic District, the Singapore ArtScience Museum and the world-class Night Safari.

Given its fame for sustainable urban planning and forward-thinking, no visit to Singapore is complete without a look into its design and architectural feats. Your group will visit the Edible Garden City for insight into the future of farming in Singapore, the Mobility Gallery and City Gallery for a glimpse into its modern transport system and city planning genius.

Ready for a trip to Singapore? You can't miss Gardens by the Bay! It's amazing day and night. Make sure to check out the Cloud Forest Avatar experience. You'll feel like you're on Pandora, seeing bioluminescent environments and mystical creatures. The Flower Dome has plant species from all over the world. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll or to relax. Don't forget to read the signs and learn interesting facts about each plant.

We’ve also ensured that this itinerary offers something unique, by incorporating a day of exclusive visits. This will include a morning at the National Technological University with lab tours in the Wind Tunnel, Robotics Lab, Air Traffic Control Tower, Singapore Centre for 3D Printing and the Innovation Lab, and a visit and 60-minute interactive tour of Singapore’s exceptional Mediacorp.

Who is this program designed for?

This itinerary is suited to both high school and university groups. While the program’s broad investigation of STEM topics matches school-goers who cover a wide variety of subjects, we can tailor and focus the program on one subject for university groups.

If a group of students majoring in engineering were to partake in this tour, for example, we would hone in on the engineering element of STEM and direct the activities towards this specific subject. Visits to relevant institutions could then also include an added visit and interaction with the head of a department, for even deeper insight into their relevant subject.

In either scenario, the itinerary is fully customisable. We chose Singapore precisely for this type of educational tour because every element of STEM can be easily found in its modern Asian city landscape within close proximity.

What are the unique learning outcomes for students?

1. STEM from a different perspective

Wherever your group arrives from, if it’s their first time in Singapore, it’s likely to be an incredible dive into a different version of STEM from what they’re used to. It’s not for nothing that this destination is known world-over for its incredible architecture and technology – there’s no place quite like it. The approach to this modernity will be different to what students are likely to find in the US, Australia or the UK, for example. It’s an eye-opening experience into one of the most advanced and fastest-growing Asian economies.

2. Cultural sensitivity

Singapore’s unique culture, food and traditions are often forgotten amongst all the “modern” talk. We’ve ensured that this itinerary includes a few insights into local life, with a traditional bumboat tour at Clarke Quay, an on-foot meander in the historically-rich Civic District, visits to the Sultan Mosque, Little India district and Chinatown. More than a next-generation visit, students will receive a glimpse of a culture laden with history, different to their own.