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[4 January 2005]
Singapore Science Centre Goes into Tertiary Education
For the First Time
When the new school term starts this year,
Singapore Science Centre will provide a General Science Education
module called “Science Exploration and Society” for
the Singapore Management University's students. This is the
first time that the Science Centre is providing a course
for tertiary institution.
Apart from the provision of lectures and
tutorials, the course also offers laboratory classes and
hands-on activities. Students will be conducting DNA experiments
and explaining the science behind exhibits to members of
the public using Science Centre's facilities.
The course will be run by senior Science
Centre staff. Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, Chief Executive, Singapore
Science Centre, will lead the course as SMU Adjunct Professor.
“The main objective of setting up
this course is to provide our non-science undergraduates,
who are going to be leaders in their respective fields, an
appreciation of science: its values and contribution to the
world around us and the society we live in. Science Centre
and SMU are both involved in education. Both parties have
strengths in our educational and technical resources that
can be complemented by each other. By leveraging on our key
competencies, this partnership will increase our capacity
to promote an appreciation of science among the future leaders,” said
Dr Chew.
Remarking on the addition of the course
to SMU's broad-based curriculum, SMU President, Professor
Howard O Hunter said, “The study of science is a very
important foundation for our students, regardless of their
academic disciplines. Not only does science broaden their
overall understanding, but the scientific method is instrumental
in the way students learn to approach and solve problems.”
The topics covered under the “Science
Exploration and Society” module are Philosophy of Science,
the Scientific Method, Communications, Life Sciences, Information
and Communication Technology, Astronomy, and Controversial
Issues in Science.
Dr Chew Tuan Chiong and Professor Howard
O Hunter, President, Singapore Management University signed
the collaboration agreement on 15 December 2004. |
