Applied Learning Programme
Geography and Science
Queenstown Secondary is one of the few schools in Singapore, which has in place the interdisciplinary (Geography and Science) Applied Learning Programme (ALP), first mentioned by the Minister of Education during the workplan seminar in 2013. The ALP alongside other programmes like Learning for Life Programme, are part of the blueprint of a good secondary school.
Leveraging on Howard Gardner’s theory on 5 Minds for the Future, the aims of the Quest ALP are:
Students will be able to
- acquire inquiry skills via the QUEST Approach (Disciplined Mind);
- connect knowledge and skills learnt in Geography and Science as a continuum (Synthesising Mind);
- apply and extend these knowledge and understanding to explain and possess the wisdom to solve real-world problems (Creating, Respectful and Ethical Mind).
Equipped with the 5 Minds through the ALP programme, our students will be more ready to face the future, which is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
At the end of the programme, students will become responsible and active citizens who are well informed and concerned of environmental issues impacting Singapore and our neighbours.
As an extension to our environment sustainability education, our school also provides opportunities to promote active student participation in building an environmentally conscious community.
Below shows the list of programme and activities conducted for our ALP and environment sustainability education.
Level | Theme | Programme and Activities | Extension |
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Secondary 1 | Water sustainability
Sustaining Urban Biodiversity in Our ‘City in a Garden’ | Introduction of the QUEST Approach (Questioning, Uncover, Explain, Strengthen, Transfer) in both Geography and Science lessons for the purpose of solving water issue in Singapore Comparative Water Studies on the water quality of Lorong Halus and Seng Kang Floating Wetlands Designing and building water filter system by applying principles of separation techniques (Exp/NA – Membrane/Sand Filter System; NT – Home-made Water Purifier. Students are able to understand how the vast areas of green spaces help to ensure sustainability (water and biodiversity)? Students show that they have understood the dynamism of the human and physical environment by designing a model representing a more sustainable environment in a selected part of the school. Students will also be able to work in groups to share their ALP experiences in the form of a presentation during EL lessons. | Presentation on World Water Day by Secondary One Green Reps to raise awareness on the importance of saving water among the school population. Secondary One students conducted a Happy Toilet Programme as a level cohort towards water conservation within the school community. They advocated efficient using of water by creating catchy posters in toilets and other water points to reduce unnecessary water usage among the school population. To bring awareness of World Water Day, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency was invited to set up water conservation displays in the school to highlight how limited thus costly fresh clean water resources are in Singapore. In conjunction with Youth for Environment Day 2020, a school-wide campaign, Quest4Less: Reducing Plastic, Fashion and Food Waste, was started. A team of 11 Secondary One Green Reps made a video and mini skit to raise the issue of plastic waste to the school population which was shared with the whole school during an online assembly slot as well as online on the school’s social media platforms. Secondary One students participated in the Stamp Out Waste Programme where the students can redeem rewards if they bring their own containers and cutlery to buy food or when they washed and returned plastic bottles. The objective of the programme is to encourage waste reduction and allowing students to take ownership on tackling the issue of plastic waste. |
Secondary 2 | How can we avoid an energy crisis? | Recap of the QUEST Approach (Question, Uncover, Explain) in both Geography and Science lessons to solve a real-life issue (i.e. energy crisis in Singapore) Students uncover on people’s attitudes towards energy consumption at home and carried out a scientific experiment on the power generation of solar panels. Through geographical investigation to find out the suitability of sites and physics experiments to find out the factors affecting the efficiency of solar panels, students represent the data collected on visual forms such as graphs, and subsequently make conclusions. Interdisciplinary Project Work on the design of a solar powered mobile charging device using design thinking and findings from Uncover and Explain Stages Experiential Learning to Singapore Green Malls Enrichment Programme at Pulau Ubin Powering Lives Trail and Solar Energy Car Challenge at Nanyang Polytechnic | In conjunction with Youth for Environment Day 2020, a school-wide campaign, Quest4Less: Reducing Plastic, Fashion and Food Waste, was started. A team of 10 Secondary Two Green Reps made a video and mini skit to raise the issue of fashion waste to the school population which was shared with the whole school during an online assembly slot as well as online on the school’s social media platforms. |
Secondary 3 | A) Mass Programme:
Food Sustainability B) Institutes of Higher Levels of Learning C) Industrial Attachment | A) How can we made better use of the food wasted?
Recap of the QUEST Approach in both Geography and Science lessons to solve a real-life issue (i.e. the state of food wastage in Singapore) Investigation Study: Geography students to interview and collect data on the eating habits and food wasted in the canteen. Application of understanding through the development of a research to explore how technology can be used to help solve the problem Participation in the Food Drive to advocate the importance of food re-distribution as a way to solve the issue of food wastage Overseas learning trip to HK in 2017 to learn how food wastage is managed through hands-on experience on food collection and re-distribution. B) Institutes of Higher Levels of Learning Elective Modules (Sec 3NT) (Interactive Electronics and Mobile Robots in Mechatronics) with ITE for NT students to gain practical skills in the energy sectors in July 2018. Industrial shadowing of selected students to The Polyolefin Company (TPC). | Secondary Three students held a food donation drive to collect food for St Andrew’s Nursing Home. This helped to raise awareness of food waste and engage the school community in reducing food waste and uneaten or unwanted foods. In conjunction with Youth for Environment Day 2020, a school-wide campaign, Quest4Less: Reducing Plastic, Fashion and Food Waste, was started. A team of 8 Secondary Three Green Reps made a video and mini skit to raise the issue of food waste to the school population which was shared with the whole school during an online assembly slot, as well as online on the school’s social media platforms |
School Wide | | | Making of Mouse through Upcycling for Chinese New Year Mouse Year commemoration, tying the idea of upcycling with the traditional values of respect and ushering in the new year. Assembly programme on COVID and its impact on the environment, especially in the area of plastic waste, as well as recent shifts in Singapore’s political landscape towards greater care for green issues. Green Reps participated in the Zero Waste challenge, introducing them to the concept of Zero Waste and the various challenges of food, fashion and plastic waste. |
Moving Forward
In 2021, the students can look forward to more authentic and engaging learning experiences.
The ALP team is working on the following areas:
- offering more diverse range of options for our students through collaboration with other departments ;
- leverage on the use of ICT tools to create a more purposeful and engaging learning experience for the students.
- expanding the scope of our students’ experience in environmental sustainability through more future-oriented solutions such as the floating reservoir concept, smart technology in an urban environment and leveraging on technology for food sustainability.
Students practising their sketching skills
Student experimenting on the solar-powered energy device
Sec 2 students on their Sec 2 ALP trip to Ocean Financial Centre
Sec 2 students at the school field on one for the ALP lessons
Sec 1 students doing their fieldwork sketching
Sec 3 students working with NGO in HK as part of the Food Sustainability Programme
Sec 3 students in their ALP trip to HK in 2017
Sec 3 students collecting vegetables from Tai Po Market in HK
Sec 3 ALP students sorting the vegetables collected in HK 2017
Sec 1 students doing their field investigation at Lorong Halus
Our students actively engaged in food sorting and redistribution with Food Grace
Our Sec 3 students embarking on Food Drive as part of the theme on Food Sustainability
Teachers and student volunteers with the huge amount of food packed on Food Drive
Students using ICT to learn about energy security
Students and teachers at the end of the Sec 2 enrichment programme
Student showing off his solar car design in NYP
Sec 2C students engaged with the exhibits on energy sustainability
Sec 2 students showing off their solar energy powered charging device
Sec 2 students on their energy enrichment programme at Pulau Ubin
Sec 2 students learning about the design of solar car in Nanyang Poly
Sec 2 students busy with the solar car design.
Sec 2 students been briefed about Pulau Ubin micro-grid test-bed
Our partnership with CPDD Humanities and EMA
Sec 1 express students engaged in their investigation on water sustainability
Ms Ellie Doong helping the students to collect water for their investigation
Happy teachers and joyful students at the end of their outdoor learning experience
Sec 2 students with their history teacher on their learning journey
Sec 2 students with Mdm Wong outside the Battlebox Visitor Centre