AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
October 2018
Community newspaper since 1958
www.aasingapore.com
MCI (P) 197/03/2017
Island of Innovation............... 1, 16-23 American Association.................... 2-4 Member Discounts............................ 3 CRCE & Business........................... 5-7 Community News.......................... 8-9 Living in Singapore.................... 10-13 Travel....................................... 14-15 Food & Dining................................ 24 Health & Wellness.......................... 25 President's Message....................... 26 What’s Happening......................... 27
Photo by Katie Baines
Educate to Innovate Everything you never knew you needed under one roof. p10
The majesty and magnificence of Morocco. p14
Changi: the aiport of ingenuity. p18
By Richard Baines
“W
hen I grow up, I want to be a YouTuber!” This is an increasingly common answer given by children when asked what they want to do when they grow up. The rapid growth in technology in the 21st century has changed our lives forever. iPads, Apple TVs and an increasing range of tech appliances are appearing in our schools as teachers attempt to prepare today’s children for tomorrow’s world. Educators the world over are revisiting their curriculum and asking questions such as: do elementary school children still need to learn handwriting? What does a 21st century curriculum look like? What will adequately prepare children for the future? A report last year from Dell Technologies states that 85% of the jobs available in 2030 have not even been conceived of yet. Global management consulting firm, McKinsey, has also predicted that future careers in medicine, space, social networks, robotics, computing, energy and the environment will dominate. We are living in enlightening and changeable times where the opportunity for a child to become a 3D printer clothing designer or to work in the space tourism industry reflect the exciting opportunities that many children may have in the future. As
such, schools must adapt and develop a curriculum that gives children the knowledge and skills needed in this shifting future jobscape.
in many walks of life. In particular, maths makes children better at solving problems and boosts their analytical and reasoning skills.
Many educationalists have pointed to the need for schools to invest and develop science, technology, engineering and maths – or STEM. Earth needs more scientists – whether that be to help solve the plastic disaster that is engulfing our planet or to help lessen the tragedy of child mortality from malaria in Africa, there are countless positive opportunities for scientists to help contribute to human life and development.
A debate over whether it should be STEAM, where art and design are added to the teaching approach, or STEM has emerged most recently among educationalists. The idea was championed by Rhode Island School of Design about a decade ago: “The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer.”
The rise of technology in recent years has been staggering and with Artificial Intelligence (AI) starting to emerge in everyday life, the need to generate young adults who are keen to work in the technology sector, is obvious. Without science and technology, engineering would not be possible and it is an industry which we will always need in order to advance. The advancement in engineering is particularly evident in Singapore, with such incredible structures as Marina Bay Sands and the Supertree Grove of Gardens by the Bay. The skills that children develop when learning math are extremely valuable
Centennial Partners
We need to talk about mental health. p25
American Association of Singapore – Since 1917
STEAM, however, is not about taking these subjects in isolation, it is about an interdisciplinary approach to learning and building children’s Creativity, Curiosity and Problem Solving Skills (CCP). Ken Robinson’s work Do Schools Kill Creativity, with over 15.5 million views on YouTube to date, is the most watched TED talk of all time and raises many interesting points about how embedding STEAM into a school curriculum can help combat exactly that. Many schools in Singapore now have a ‘Maker’ or ‘Creative Space’ where children can complete STEAM projects and challenges. Continues on page 20