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Science Programmes: Science Mentorship Programmes

The Science Mentorship Programmes (SMP) comprise of the following separate programmes:

School-Based Science Mentorship Programme

Aim

This programme aims to cultivate in Secondary 2 and 3 pupils the spirit of inquiry as well as attitudes and values for the proper conduct of science. This will help to prepare and equip them better for a mentorship experience with a professional scientist when they are ready.

Objective

This programme is intended:

Project Work

Pupils initiate and design scientific investigations under the guidance of science teachers as their mentors.

Target Group

Secondary 2 and 3 GEP, SBGE, IP and selected non-GEP pupils.

All other Science Mentorship Programmes except School-Based Science Mentorship Programme

Aim

These programmes are structured with the aim of developing pupils’ interest and talent in scientific research. They provide opportunities for pupils with interest and aptitude in science to deepen their knowledge in a particular area, to learn about the latest research developments and to be challenged by the intellectually stimulating process of scientific research.

Objectives

Target Group

Secondary 3 and 4 GEP, SBGE, IP pupils and selected non-GEP pupils.

Organisation

The following science mentorship programmes are jointly organised by the Gifted Education Branch with the following institutions:

Science Mentorship Programme Jointly Organised by
Applied Science Programme Singapore Polytechnic
Biotechnology Programme Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Defence Science Programmme Defence Science and Technology Agency
Defence Science Organisation National Laboratories
Institute of Infocomm Research Mentorship Programme Institute of Infocomm Research
Nanyang Polytechnic Explorations in Science and Technology Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Technological University Mentorship Programme National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University
National University of Singapore Computer Mentorship Programme School of Computing, National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore Engineering Mentorship Programme Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore Science Mentorship Programme Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore
National Parks Board
Republic Polytechnic Human Performance Programme School of Sports, Health and Leisure, Republic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic Science Exploration Programme School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic

Structure of Both Programmes

The programmes comprise 2 parts:

Mentorship Attachment

Mentors from the participating institutions are invited to offer projects for the programmes. Pupils who are keen to participate in the programmes select the project that interests them. Alternatively, pupils may propose their own projects and source for their own mentors.

In the course of mentorship, pupils are exposed to the scientific process of problem solving, exploration and discovery to develop intellectual skills and curiosity that stimulate them to evaluate and challenge information rather than be passive learners.

Pupils meet their mentors 3 hours weekly from January 2012 to May 2012 and work on their project and spend 2 weeks full-time during the June holidays at the tertiary institutions. Pupils then write a scientific paper for publication in the Proceedings of the Youth Science Conference.

Youth Science Conference

The Youth Science Conference is the culminating event of the SMP. This event showcases through posters and oral presentations all the projects in the programmes to an audience of peers, teachers and scientists.

Note: All projects in the Science Mentorship Programme can be done in place of an IRS project.

Science Mentorship Programme Forms for Pupils and Teachers

Science Mentorship Programme Workplan for Schools

SMP Workplan 2012 for Schools (63kb .pdf)

Information for Mentors

Science Mentorship Programme Information for Mentors

2010 SMP Conference Papers (by Institution)

Research Reports For 18th Youth Science Conference

The final version of the research paper (in MS Word) for the 18th Youth Science Conference is due to mentors by 20 Jul 2012. SMP participants should refer to the Guidelines On Research Papers. Research papers submitted after the deadline will not be published in the Proceedings of the 18th Youth Science Conference.