STB kickstarts experiential learning F1 in Schools World Finals

Singapore offers holistic learning experience by enriching students beyond academic curriculum and help nurture life skills.

As Singapore prepares for the arrival of students from all over the world to participate in the prestigious F1 in Schools World Finals Singapore 2010 supported by LG this month, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is preparing to promote experiential learning for visitors, in a bid to establish Singapore as a compelling destination for learning holidays.

As travellers increasingly choose to create their own personalized travel experience, the STB expects more visitors who seek opportunities to expand their knowledge, creating more meaningful journeys and lifelong impressions. Taking advantage of Singapore’s strengths as a premier destination for education, the STB is taking its marketing strategy a step further by promoting a growing collection of unique Experiential Learning Programmes.

“Blessed with an intellectually open, vibrant, and safe learning environment, Singapore offers a holistic learning experience beyond the classroom. The diversity of quality Experiential Learning Programmes in Singapore offers opportunities for students to enrich themselves beyond the academic curriculum and help nurture essential life skills such as creativity and confidence,” said Ms Yen Nee Tan, STB’s Deputy Director for Enrichment.

Alluding to the in-depth learning, cultural and intellectual exchange generated by the F1 in Schools programme, Ms Tan said, “The F1 in Schools programme is not only fun, engaging, and enjoyable, but also creates more learning value for the individual, according to an STB report.

Involving students from around the world, the programme also complements Singapore’s global and cosmopolitan outlook on education. The 210 foreign students who will be here in Singapore for the F1 in Schools World Finals can look forward to an enriching and culturally inspiring experience.”

F1 in Schools
The F1 in Schools World Finals 2010 supported by LG will take place in Singapore for the first time, from 19 to 22 September at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Conrad Centennial Hotel. F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of students aged nine to 19 deploy Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test, and then race miniature compressed air-powered balsa wood F1 cars. The main objective is to help change perceptions of engineering, mathematics, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology.

Mr Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, said, “Singapore is a very appropriate destination for this year’s F1 in Schools World Finals supported by LG. The educational facilities offered within the country are of the highest standards and we are privileged to be hosted by Ngee Ann Polytechnic for our event.” He also added, “We are combining this year’s World Finals with the 2010 FORMULA ONE Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, giving the students the chance to experience this fantastic occasion while they are visiting this beautiful country. Formula One provides the inspiration for F1 in Schools and to have a glimpse of the sport, up close, is a very special opportunity for the students.”

In preparation for the 2010 F1 in Schools World Finals, a total of 51 local schools took part in the training programme offered by F1 in Schools Singapore. Following the World Finals, F1 in Schools Singapore expects at least a 100% increase in the school take-up rate due to the awareness and interest generated, and they will explore the possibility of accepting foreign schools for training.

Experiential Learning Programmes
Aside from the F1 in Schools programme, other local organisations offer short courses with interactive learning opportunities. Underwater World Singapore is making waves in interactive learning with its range of marine conservation edutainment programmes such as its Schooling School and Living in the Ocean programmes, popular with overseas student groups. Wildlife Reserves Singapore offers educational programmes such as overnight camps, behind-the-scenes tours, guided tours, show-and-tell sessions, and the Zoomazing Race, providing overseas students with unique opportunities to gain valuable insights into the animal kingdom.

Mr Peter Chew, Deputy General Manager of Underwater World Singapore, said, “Moving beyond curriculum, Underwater World Singapore strives to redefine the learning experience, and enable teachers to engage their students at a whole new level. In line with our Blue Mission - Inspire, Educate, Conserve, we hope to contribute towards cultivating new generations of young leaders for the environment.”

Ms May Lok, Director of Education at Wildlife Reserves Singapore, shared, “Wildlife Reserves Singapore attractions are positioned as living classrooms to inspire visitors to care for nature in general and wildlife in particular. Learning through a fun and experiential approach creates the connection needed to motivate individuals to take positive actions in conservation education.”

Joining these existing programmes are new learning experiences offered by Timbre Music Academy, Precious Entertainment, and Sentosa, amongst others. These highly immersive programmes can also be enjoyed by foreign participants, from holidaymakers to visiting school groups wishing to incorporate a more unconventional and interactive learning element into their trip.

In addition to programmes for Science, Mathematics & Technology, traditionally strong fields in Singapore; STB also projects that the Culinary, Entertainment and Sports fields have the potential to create vibrancy and buzz due to the recent explosion of world class culinary offerings in Singapore, our flourishing arts and entertainment sector, and the burgeoning development of the local motorsports industry. STB plans to collaborate with the private sector to develop a strong and comprehensive line up of activities in each field to captivate the visitor with the myriad choices available to them.

The development of a wide range of locally-developed enrichment programmes is aligned with the STB’s extension of the Singapore Education brand into short term education programmes for enrichment and professional development. Experiential learning also ties in with YourSingapore – STB’s new destination brand which celebrates Singapore’s concentration of attractions, user-centricity, and the ease of creating a customised travel experience. The variety of learning opportunities in different fields of interest enables visitors to personalise not only their leisure itinerary, but also their learning journey in Singapore.

The STB will work closely with industry partners to develop more engaging and exciting Experiential Learning Programmes, and develop measures to monitor the number of visitors engaging in such programmes. Initial publicity for Experiential Learning Programmes will be through travel agents and foreign media to gain awareness and garner interest from the overseas public. As more programmes are developed, the collection of Experiential Learning Programmes will be made easily accessible to visitors.