School of Science and Technology, Singapore

Not to be confused with School of Science and Technology.

School of Science and Technology, Singapore 新科技中学 (新加坡) Sekolah Sains dan Teknologi Singapura
File:Campus Side View.JPG
Address
1 Technology Drive, Singapore 138572
Information
Type	Specialised Independent
Motto	Shaping Future Innovators, The SST Way
Established	1 January 2010
Session	Single Session
Principal	Mr Chua Chor Huat
Gender	Mixed
Age range	13 - 16
Enrolment	600
Language	Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Colour(s)	Red, Blue and Grey
Website	http://www.sst.edu.sg

The School of Science and Technology, Singapore (SST) was established in Singapore in 2010. It offers a four-year curriculum which leads to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O Level examination. The school emphasises an Applied Learning approach which fosters understanding and transference of disciplinary concepts and knowledge through cognitively hands-on applications set in real world situations. The school uses Direct School Admission (DSA) to obtain its cohorts with the application including a selection camp and several academic tests.

History

2008

In March 2008, SST was announced in Parliament that a new Specialised Independent School with an emphasis on applied learning will be set up. SST, a subsidiary under Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) with Ministry of Education as a parent ministry, is targeted at University bound students with an interest in applied learning. It offers a four-year programme leading to the O levels, including offering new Applied Subjects, as well as incorporating applied learning approaches into the regular O level subjects. SST adopts innovative teaching approaches that leverage on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and is the sixth school in the FutureSchools@Singapore project.

SST's students and teachers playing a Captain's Ball match during Teacher's Day in 2010.

2009

The SST Board of Directors, chaired by Dr Su Guaning, Former President of Nanyang Technological University(NTU) convened the first SST Board of Directors meeting on 3 March 2009. The inaugural meeting was followed by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between NTU, NP and SST.

SST's inaugural Open House was held on 23 May 2009 and the Guest of Honour was Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Minister for Education and Second Minister of Defence.

2010

The pioneer cohort of SST students started school on 4 January 2010.

On 29 March 2010, Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Minister for National Development and Education was the Guest of Honour at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for SST's new campus. On the same occasion, Ngee Ann Kongsi announced a donation of S$8.1 million to SST.

The signing of the MOU with RDFZ Xishan School on 25 January 2011.

2011

The second batch of 200 Secondary 1 SST Students started their school on 4 January 2011. On the same day, SST's robotics team went to their then-future Permanent Campus, which was then under construction (as of January 2011), to thank the 180 construction workers building the campus. They also had brunch with them.

On 25 January 2011, 30 students and some teachers from the Ren Da Fu Zhong Xishan School (RDFZ Xishan School) came to SST and signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools. The RDFZ Xishan teachers and students also interacted with the SST's students and academic staff.

From 4–6 March 2011, a group of students and teachers attended the Apple Education Leadership Summit 2011 at the School of the Arts, (SOTA).

2012

On 3 January 2012, the first, second and third batches of SST students moved into their new campus at 1, Technology Drive, Singapore. An opening ceremony occurred the same day. However, this is rumored to be a "soft opening"; a "full opening" is expected in 2013, with all four cohorts present (a "full school").

Academics

View of the Ngee Ann Kongsi Sports Complex at SST

Admissions

Initial admission to the SST is done via the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, complete with interviews as well as General Ability Tests (GAT) and selection camps. The minimum PSLE score should also qualify into the Express Stream and the students' application must be supported with the following:

- Current school academic records (Pri 4 to 6SA1, or equivalent)

- Co-Curricular Activities and its accomplishments

- Other extra-curricular activities' Achievements / competitions attended / national awards

- School Testimonials

The school admits 200 students in the Secondary 1 cohort and up to 50 students at the Secondary 3 level each year.

Curriculum

Applied learning forms the core of the teaching and learning approach in the SST to provide learning opportunities for students to draw connections between the concepts taught in the classroom and real-world applications.

Year 1 and 2 students take the following subjects: English Language, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Science, Integrated Humanities and Art, Design, Media & Technology (ADMT). At Year 3 and 4, students take a combination of conventional and applied subjects. He or she may take conventional subjects such as English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Humanities together with one or two applied subjects such as Fundamentals of Electronics, Media Studies and Biotechnology. All students are required to take Interdisciplinary Research Studies ("IRS"), which merges with Science in the first semester of Year 2 to form ISS (Investigative Studies in Science). IRS involves the students forming groups and planning, as well as conducting, their own research projects.

At the lower secondary levels, the SST adopts an integrated approach to learning while providing a firm foundation for upper secondary levels. For example, students studying a topic on terrorism in Integrated Humanities will be able to view it from different perspectives to gain an understanding of national, regional and global issues. The approach involves different disciplines and allows the students to view issues from multiple perspectives.

Besides academic curriculum, the SST also provides a holistic education with subjects on character, citizenship, leadership and life skills. Students are also provided with a strong network of support through pastoral care programmes.

SST uses innovative teaching techniques and curriculum design to nurture the innovative and enterprising aspects of students. The latest Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) as well as Interactive Digital Media (IDM) will be incorporated into various subjects to provide an interactive conducive learning environment. All SST students are required to purchase a MacBook laptop for use in class and for research. Originally, students could choose between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro, but since the discontinuation of the MacBook, they have only been able to purchase either the MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air.

Facilities

SST students at a project discussion in the Info Hub

SST was temporarily housed at 5, Clementi Ave 6, for two years. The holding site has been retrofitted with design studios, laboratories places for collaboration and discussion and a work display area. Certain facilities (e.g. laboratories) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic are available for student use also.

The holding site is near Clementi MRT station, and is accessible by buses as well.

Permanent Campus

SST moved into its current campus, which is located at 1, Technology Drive, near Dover MRT Station and Singapore Polytechnic in January 2012. SST's new campus is made up of four blocks;– three forming the main building on one side of the campus (towards Dover MRT Station) and a CCA/Sports Block on the other side of the field. The new campus's facilities include an "Info Hub" (Library), many specialized laboratories, a dedicated Apple Helpdesk and air-conditioned classrooms on the fourth and fifth floors.

Partners

Education Partners

The SST works in partnership with its education partners to provide learning opportunities to students in the form of attachments, internships, and special programmes.

• Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• DigiPen Institute of Technology
• Apple Inc.

Industry Partners

SST works in partnership with leading players in the industry to provide learning opportunities to students:

• A*STAR - Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN)
• Exploit Technologies (ETPL)
• Defence Science Organisation (DSO) National Laboratories

Strategic Alliance of Global Educators (SAGE)

SST is part of the Strategic Alliance of Global Educators (SAGE) alliance, a professional network that facilitates extensive sharing of pedagogical ideas, resources and best practices in 21st century learning.

The alliance establishes a structure for educational institutions from different regions (America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) that have a common goal to work together and to provide a platform for member institutions to reach out to their target audience in other regions.

Co-Curricular Activities

SST offers a range of co-curricular programmes that include sports and games, performing arts, clubs and societies. They are: • Badminton • Basketball • Cricket • Cross country • English Drama Club • Fencing • Floorball • Guitar Ensemble • Media Club • Robotics • Singapore Youth Flying Club • Soccer • Taekwondo • Wushu

• Cross Country
  Cross Country
• 
  Fencing
• 
  Media Club
• 
  Show Choir
• Taekwondo
  Taekwondo
• Wushu
  Wushu
• 
  Basketball

Gallery

Pictures of Holding Site

• SST Holding Site Porch.
  SST Holding Site Porch.
• SST Holding Site's Library
  SST Holding Site's Library
• SST Holding Site's 'Our Space'.
  SST Holding Site's 'Our Space'.
• SST Holding Site's General Office.
  SST Holding Site's General Office.
• SST Holding Site's ADMT Room.
  SST Holding Site's ADMT Room.

Permanent Campus at 1, Technology Drive

• 
  View of SST's Architecture from the General Office Porch
• 
  View of SST's laboratory/class block
• 
  View of the Administrative/Staff block
• 
  Alternate View of the Administrative/Staff block
• 
  View of the School field

External links

• SST Website
• SST Facebook
• SST Showcase
• SST Students Blog 2012
• FutureSchools@Singapore
• The ICT Connection (MOE)
• Direct School Admission
• Ministry of Education