Woodgrove Solar Fountain at the MOE ExCEL Fest 2010

On Saturday, 6 March 2010, a team of teachers and students conducted a presentation on the Woodgrove Solar Fountain at the MOE ExCEL Fest held at Suntec City. The team comprised the following members:

Teachers (Science Department):

· Mr Flavian Fernandez

· Mr Aaron Cheng

· Mr Jerry Tai

· Mr Ernest Ng

· Mr Wee Ngai Shen, Yisen

Students:

· Yap Ying Ying – 4E1

· Douglas Yong – 4E3

· Sabrina Yaccob – 2E2

The project was a largely student-directed project and it involved setting up a photovoltaic module at the front of the school to power the school fountain. The teachers shared with the public, the processes involved in designing, implementing and evaluating such a project. The products and outcomes of the project were also showcased during the presentation. These included the photos of the photovoltaic module itself.

The students, on the other hand, shared their personal experiences in designing the project and transferring their knowledge to their juniors or peers. Overall, the presentation was reasonably successful as positive verbal feedback was received from educators and members of the public at the end of the session. We are looking forward to receiving formal feedback from the ExCEL Fest organizing committee in the near future.

Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education, at MOE Excel Fest 2010 on Friday, 5 March

Excerpts of speech in which Woodgrove Secondary Solar Water Fountain was commended:

"... This year’s ExCEL Fest theme, ‘Every Child Ready for the World’ therefore aptly captures this challenge for us. In fact, our recent preoccupation has been with equipping our students with a creative mindset and skills which are required for the future. This has been the driver for many recent initiatives such as IT Masterplan 3, Teach Less Learn More and the Curriculum 2015 project.

Under this year’s broad theme of ‘Every Child Ready for the World’, we have identified 4 areas of focus that showcase our recent efforts to prepare our students for the future. These are

• This is IT!
• Learning out of the box
• On your mark, get ready… Go global; and
• Character Plus

Each of these areas is exemplified by the school exhibitors and Classroom Experience presenters who have worked very hard to showcase their innovations at this year’s event ...

... In the second sub-theme, ‘Learning out of the box’, Science and Design & Technology teachers of Woodgrove Secondary School developed a project that allowed students to apply conceptual knowledge to a real-life problem. When faced with the possibility of changing the electrically-powered school fountain into a solar-powered one, teachers exploited the opportunity by creating an authentic learning experience for a group of Secondary 3 and 4 students. Students were tasked to design and assemble a solar-powered module. They partnered with lecturers from Temasek Polytechnic and project managers from the industries. The project resulted in long-term energy savings for the school and the students also assisted teachers in the development of a lesson plan on the use of solar power. This will be implemented in lower secondary classes this year to raise awareness about the need for alternative energy sources.... "

Peer Teaching: A Student's Perspective

Between 9 to 20 February, student representatives from each of the Secondary 2 classes conducted a one hour solar water fountain lesson package to their respective classes.

In doing so, the lesson became a platform for student-led teaching and learning. The presenters developed better communication skills. At the same time, the student audience gained a deeper insight into solar technology. Students also showed a greater awareness of Woodgrove's effort to go "green".

Below are some of their thoughts....