Applied Learning Programme (STEM @ MFPS)
Applied Learning Programme (STEM@MFPS)
Introduction
At Mayflower, we endeavour to deliver a high quality and coherent STEM education to our students. STEM@MFPS is achieved through a customised enrichment programme that focuses on the principles of STEM. In this programme, our students innovate through solving real world problems and creating prototypes that also help promote eco-stewardship and sustainability.
Students are taught basic programming, computational and design thinking skills. Students learn through exploration by engaging in direct application of these skills, theories and models in an inter-disciplinary environment. Through such opportunities and engagement, we hope to lay a foundation that will serve as a natural pathway for our students to be equipped with the broad pre-requisites for the future, namely innovation and creativity.
Objectives
Aligned to our school’s defined traits of MFPS students: Empowered Learners and Empathetic Leaders, we hope that our students will be equipped with 21st century competency skills such as:
- having the curiosity to explore, experiment and innovate
- being resilient through multiple trials and errors
- being empathetic problem solvers
- being responsible citizens
- being equipped with basic computational and critical thinking skills
- understanding the spirit of learning and unlearning (through coding and engineering) and
- having a deeper understanding of how things work around them
The Curriculum
Experiential Learning
In designing the curriculum, the element of experiential learning is intentionally infused into the curriculum so that students learn through fun and hands-on exploration.
Primary 4 students are immersed in technology-enhanced block-based devices such as Sphero to evoke their imagination and creativity as they acquire computational thinking, spatial and planning skills. Students continue their journey of block-based programming with Scratch, Micro:bits and SAM Labs at Primary 5 and 6, which offers endless opportunities for students to innovate.
Connection to the real world
Students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learnt to authentic contexts such as promoting sustainability or protecting our environment.
At the middle primary ALP stage, students focus on mastering basic computational skills through block-based programming using Sphero. At the upper primary ALP stage, students are taught Scratch Programming while utilizing platforms such as SAM Labs and Micro:bits to solve problems faced within their community and in the environment. Students are also exposed to basic design thinking process to help them develop problem-solving skills, with the element of taking perspectives. Students work collaboratively in teams to brainstorm, design and prototype their chosen solutions.
Field Work
One of the most distinctive feature of our ALP programme is the field work. Students conduct practical work in their learning environment and the community to research and investigate problems around them. Practical work include collecting information through observation and conducting interviews. The field work is an important component of the students’ learning process as they learn how to negotiate with their interviewees, relate to them and to think on their feet on the next course of action to take to complete their investigation.
Middle Primary: Sphero Block-Based Coding
Students learning coding skills through block-based programming.
Upper Primary: Building Prototypes using platforms such as SAM Labs and Micro:bits
Students making sense of the parts and learning together!
Students collaborating and trying out their prototypes!
Some of their finished products!
