Briefing Document: Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC) and Open Source Physics @ Singapore (OSP@SG)
1. Overview
This document analyzes information primarily from a webpage detailing the 6th Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC) and a talk titled "Open Source Physics at Singapore." The SISC is an international STEM competition hosted by the National Junior College (NJC) in Singapore. A key component highlighted within the SISC framework is the Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG) project.
2. Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC) 2017
- Theme: "Connecting Minds: Discovering New Frontiers". This emphasizes collaboration and exploration in STEM fields.
- Focus on Technology: The challenge specifically encourages the "creative use of technology to create a smart globe" reflecting a move towards integrating technology in learning.
- Emphasis on Future-Ready Skills: The event highlights the importance of big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robust computational methods, framing these as critical for future breakthroughs and transformation.
- International Collaboration: The event brings together students and educators from around the world to engage in discussions, collaborate on problem-solving, and network.
- Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The challenge aims to establish partnerships that create unique entrepreneurial opportunities, suggesting a focus on practical application and innovation.
- Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremony featured Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative, underscoring the importance of the event.
- Educators’ Symposium: A symposium for educators accompanied the competition which highlights the role of teachers in promoting such learning.
3. Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG)
- Project Goal: OSP@SG is a project by the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) designed to enhance physics education by bringing real-world concepts into the classroom. Quote: "Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG) is a project by Singapore Ministry of Education which helps teachers bring real-world physics concepts into the classroom."
- Innovative Approach:Interactive Resources: OSP@SG utilizes interactive resources like simulations that complement real-life experiments, aiding visualization. *Quote: "The programme is innovative in that it complements real-life experiments by providing interactive resources that help visualisation."
- Mathematical Modeling: The program allows students to model their ideas, test them against simulated or real-world data, and explore mathematical concepts interactively.
- Accessibility: Resources are accessible anytime and anywhere through computers and mobile devices. Apps and e-books provide offline access. *Quote: It is accessible anytime, anywhere because students can run the programme on computers and mobile devices.
- Collaboration & Community:School Partnerships: MOE has collaborated with many schools since 2012 on OSP@SG, with positive feedback from Singapore and internationally.
- Expert Network: An "interest-based learning community" has developed with input from experts like Professor Francisco Esquembre, Fu-Kwun Hwang, Wolfgang Christian, Felix Garcia, and Douglas Brown. *Quote: In addition, an interest-based learning community for the OSP@SG has been formed. This community include the many OSP experts namely, Professor Francisco Esquembre, Fu-Kwun Hwang, Wolfgang Christian, Felix Garcia and Douglas Brown and many more in the world who helped to develop the materials to sustain the community.
- Teacher Empowerment: Local teachers are now taking ownership of the materials, "remixing" existing models or creating new worksheets to align with guided inquiry and modeling approaches.
- Pedagogical Approach:Student-Centric Learning: OSP@SG emphasizes student-centric learning where students learn through experimentation, modeling, and simulation. *Quote: Some benefits include enhanced students’ learning through the student-centric pedagogy where students learn to experiment like real life scientists using modelling and simulation.
- Visualisation and Exploration: Students can better visualize, explore, and discover abstract physics concepts by manipulating models and data. *Quote: Students could better visualise, explore and discover abstract physics concepts through manipulation and modelling techniques.
- Alignment with Educational Goals: The program directly ties into the goal of using ICT to prepare "Future-ready Learners," who can use technology to master subjects and develop 21st-century competencies. Quote: "The key message is ICT plays an integral role in preparing our students to be Future-ready Learners and as Future-ready Learners, students use ICT productively to deepen subject mastery and develop 21st Century Competencies."
4. Key Technologies and Resources Mentioned
The webpage includes numerous links and references to specific tools and simulations, indicating a broad range of interactive resources offered under OSP@SG, including:
- Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS/EJSS): This tool appears to be central for creating and customizing simulations.
- Tracker: A video analysis tool that allows students to analyze real-world motion and build models.
- HTML5/JavaScript Applets: A variety of interactive simulations spanning diverse physics concepts like electromagnetism, mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and more.
5. Events, Workshops, and Recognition
- Numerous Workshops: The site lists many workshops for teachers on using various simulations, Tracker, and other ICT tools.
- Awards: The project has received several awards recognizing its innovation and contribution to education, like:
- UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education (2015-6)
- Public Service 21 Distinguished Star Service Award (2014)
- Ministry of Education Outstanding Innovator Award (2013)
- Ministry of Education Service Excellence Award (2012)
- Open Source Physics at Singapore Ministry of Education GOLD Innergy Award (2016)
- Conferences: OSP@SG resources have been shared at local and international conferences such as the 6th International Conference on Learning, Education and Pedagogy (LEAP) and the International Conference on Teaching and Learning with Technology.
6. Key Takeaways
- OSP@SG is a significant initiative by MOE to transform physics education in Singapore. It uses open source resources and focuses on student-centric learning.
- Technology is viewed as critical for engaging students and preparing them for the future. The SISC event and OSP@SG project both highlight this aspect.
- The approach integrates real-world experiments with interactive simulations and mathematical modeling. This creates a powerful learning environment.
- Collaboration and community are central to the project's success. The project relies on expert input and local teacher ownership.
Program
1300 Plenary Session 1by Mr Wee Loo Kang Lawrence Educational Technology Division, MOE Sanctuary
1345
Question and Answer Sanctuary
Email:
The theme for SISC 2017 is Connecting Minds: Discovering New Frontiers. Underpinning this theme is the creative use of technology to create a smart globe that transcends the status quo of our human condition. The advent of big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence, together with a range of robust computational methods all point to us being at the cusp of a critical breakthrough and transformation in the human condition.
We hope that you can join us in witnessing the creativity and innovation by our future generations and we would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you to the SISC Opening Ceremony.
The details of the ceremony are as follows:
SISC Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, 27 June 2017 at 0830 - 1130 at the
Ngee Ann Kongsi Performing Arts Theatre,
National Junior College
Guespt-Of-Honour: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative.
Please let me know if you are able to attend the opening ceremony by 21 June 2017. The programme for the opening ceremony is attached.
In the event that you are unable to attend the ceremony, please let me know what time you will be arriving for the Educators' Symposium which is scheduled to start at 12pm. The symposium programme is attached for your reference.
Thank you for supporting and gracing the 6th Singapore International Science Challenge 2017!
Thanks to Allan for the kind invitation!
Event: 6th Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC)
Theme: Technology in Education
Date: 27 June 2017
Time: PM,
Topic suggested by NJC: EJsS simulations
Participants: educators from 26 top science schools from 13 countries and all schools in Singapore
Venue: NJC Organiser: Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC) is a biennial international event conceptualised by National Junior College.
My proposed Abstract:
Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG) is a project by Singapore Ministry of Education which helps teachers bring real-world physics concepts into the classroom.The programme is innovative in that it complements real-life experiments by providing interactive resources that help visualisation. The programme also has a function for mathematical modelling, where students’ ideas can be 'tested' or modelled and compared with real life or simulated data. It is accessible anytime, anywhere because students can run the programme on computers and mobile devices.
The talk will bring participants to access the website with 300+ open source and open educational digital resources that runs on their own mobile devices. There are apps and e-books on Android Playstore and Apple App Store that can download these resources for offline use.
Since 2012, MOE has been collaborating with schools¹ on OSP@SG, with positive feedback received on the project both in Singapore and around the world. Some benefits include enhanced students’ learning through the student-centric pedagogy where students learn to experiment like real life scientists using modelling and simulation. Students could better visualise, explore and discover abstract physics concepts through manipulation and modelling techniques. In addition, an interest-based learning community for the OSP@SG has been formed. This community include the many OSP experts namely, Professor Francisco Esquembre, Fu-Kwun Hwang, Wolfgang Christian, Felix Garcia and Douglas Brown and many more in the world who helped to develop the materials to sustain the community. By networking and learning with the experts, teachers in local schools are now taking greater ownership of the materials they author by either remixing the models or creating new worksheets to support the guided inquiry or modelling pedagogy afforded through OSP@SG.
The key message is ICT plays an integral role in preparing our students to be Future-ready Learners and as Future-ready Learners, students use ICT productively to deepen subject mastery and develop 21st Century Competencies.
footnote
¹ Anderson Junior College, Evergreen Secondary School, Hwa Chong Institution, Innova Junior College, Meridian Junior College, National Junior College, Raffles Girls’ Secondary School, River Valley High School, Saint Andrew’s Junior College, Serangoon Junior College, Victoria Junior College and Yishun Junior College.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xAoPoSlJFpOKqbdpQX3xrfcINtiWV-JXtxTf65uroKQ/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=3000
FAQ
What is the Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG) project? OSP@SG is an initiative by the Singapore Ministry of Education aimed at enhancing physics education by integrating real-world concepts into the classroom. It provides interactive, open-source digital resources including simulations, apps, and e-books, that allow students to visualize abstract physics concepts. It allows for mathematical modeling and comparisons with real-life or simulated data, making it accessible anytime, anywhere via computers and mobile devices.
How does OSP@SG complement traditional physics teaching methods? OSP@SG complements hands-on experiments by offering interactive resources that allow for enhanced visualization of complex concepts. The simulations and models also allow students to test their ideas and compare them with real data, promoting a more active and exploratory learning experience. This approach moves away from a purely teacher-centered pedagogy to a more student-centered, inquiry-based learning model.
What kind of digital resources does OSP@SG offer? OSP@SG offers a wide range of digital resources including interactive JavaScript simulations, apps, and e-books. These resources cover various physics concepts, ranging from simple mechanics and electromagnetism to more complex topics like quantum mechanics. There are simulations for different topics including those related to kinematics, waves, and also some modeling tools. Many of these are available as apps in the Android and Apple app stores for offline access.
Who are the key contributors to the OSP@SG project? The OSP@SG project has benefited from collaboration with numerous OSP experts globally, such as Professor Francisco Esquembre, Fu-Kwun Hwang, Wolfgang Christian, Felix Garcia, and Douglas Brown. These experts have contributed to the development of the educational resources and helped in creating a sustainable learning community. Local teachers are also taking an active role by remixing models and creating their own worksheets.
How does OSP@SG support a student-centric pedagogy? OSP@SG promotes a student-centric approach by enabling students to learn through active experimentation using modeling and simulation. This approach allows students to visualize, explore, and discover abstract physics concepts through hands-on manipulation and modeling techniques, allowing for a deeper understanding. This empowers students to act as scientists by allowing them to experiment and test their hypotheses with models and simulations.
What role does technology play in the OSP@SG initiative? Technology is integral to the OSP@SG project. It provides a platform to create interactive simulations, allows accessibility through mobile devices, and creates a way for students to test out ideas by comparing them to real-life and simulated data. The project highlights the pivotal role of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in equipping students to become Future-ready Learners who use technology to deepen their subject mastery and hone 21st Century competencies.
What is the significance of the Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC)? The SISC is a biennial international competition hosted by National Junior College, bringing together students and educators from around the world. The goal is to foster deep conversation about the latest research in STEM, encourage collaboration in problem-solving and innovation, and help establish lasting global partnerships. The theme for SISC 2017 was "Connecting Minds: Discovering New Frontiers" emphasizing using technology to transform the human condition.
How can educators and students access and utilize OSP@SG resources? Educators and students can access OSP@SG resources online through the project's website, which contains over 300 open-source digital resources. Additionally, many resources are available for download as apps on the Android Playstore and Apple App Store, allowing for offline access. These resources are designed to be easily integrated into existing curricula to provide active learning opportunities.