Objectives of ISYF

1.               The key objectives of ISYF remain unchanged. They are:

a.               Inspire Passion for Science Amongst Youth in Singapore and Asia.  The ISYF aims to provide high-ability students with ample opportunity to be innovative and creative.  The programme hopes to develop in them a global mindset in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.  To inspire students, the Nobel Laureates and other eminent scientists will share their life experiences with the students. This will create greater awareness amongst the youth about the importance of broad-based knowledge, diverse interest, deep passion and tenacity necessary in their pursuit of science excellence. Participants will also have opportunities to discuss their own research work with fellow students from different countries and take part in hands-on activities at HCI’s Science Research Centre.

b.               Establish Cooperation and Friendship amongst Young Science Talents.  Students will have many opportunities to interact in different cross-cultural groups and form strong bonds with each other throughout the forum. Activities are designed to promote mutual cooperation, understanding and appreciation of each others’ diverse culture yet sharing a common passion in science and research.

c.               Build Capacities of Science Educators.  Through professional sharing of best practices in the classroom and networking with fellow Science educators both overseas and local, the ISYF will serve as an important platform to build the competencies of the teachers.  The local schools can also establish and develop close ties with the schools overseas and explore future collaborations. Educators will also have ample opportunities to interact with Nobel Laureates who will share their insights on science education with them.

d.               Raise Singapore’s Profile as an International Hub for Science Education and Science Research.  With strong support from MOE, this ground-up initiative aims to bring Science education in Singapore to greater heights.  Through this Forum, we can promote our schools and Institutes of Higher Learning as centres of excellence for Science research and raise the profile of Singapore’s Science education globally.

 

Key Differences in this year’s program include:

a.               Theme for this year’s Forum is “Future Innovations and Science”.

b.        Enhancement of Educators’ Program to include a Workshop on Innovative Teaching and an Educators’ Dialogue with Nobel Laureates. In addition, teachers’ from selected non-participating schools will also be invited to join ISYF educators’ during the sharing sessions. This will create opportunities for the foreign educators’ to interact and network with more Singapore teachers and to be exposed to a wider spectrum of the Singapore education. The educators will be expected to produce a draft action plan of ideas during the Forum that can be implemented when they return to their school/country. Therefore, we will recommend that key personnel of the school e.g. heads of department or subject coordinators be invited to accompany their students as far as possible.

c.        Immersion program at A*STAR. Participants will visit Fusionopolis for hands-on activities including solving a scientific problem in the labs. These activities aim to create a greater appreciation and awareness of science research and innovations that are conducted at A*STAR. This program will also generate awareness of available research opportunities in Singapore for top science talents and raise Singapore’s profile as a hub for Science Research.

d.        Research Poster Exhibition at the Research Symposium will replace the small group research project presentations. This will allow participants to view more projects conducted by the local and overseas schools.

e.        One Formal Ceremony to officiate the International Science Youth Forum 2010.