OPENING ADDRESS BY MR S ISWARAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION AT THE 32ND SHELL SINGAPORE YOUTH SCIENCE FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2009, 10.30 AM, AT THE SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE 

Dr Chew Tuan Chiong

Chairman, Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival Organising Committee and

Chief Executive, Science Centre Singapore

Mrs Catherine Seah

Co-chair, Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival Organising Committee and

Chairman, Science Teachers Association of Singapore

Distinguished guests

Teachers, parents and students,

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am happy to join you this morning at the opening of the 32nd Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival (Shell SYSF). This Festival has grown over the years and attained much success in fostering an interest in science and its learning outside the classroom. It gives our youth an opportunity to explore the possibilities of science, and to showcase original and creative ideas through their projects.

It is heartening to know that every year over 50,000 students participate in the Festival, which clearly reflects its popularity among our youth. Since its inception, the Festival has become the key event in the school calendar.

“STAR SCIENCE – Exploring New Frontiers”

This year is the International Year of Astronomy – it marks the 400th Anniversary of the first astronomical observation through a telescope by Galileo, the renowned Italian astronomer. Many astronomy and astronomy-related educational events and activities are being held globally to commemorate the event. Singapore too launched its International Year of Astronomy programmes in February. The theme for this year’s Festival –“STAR SCIENCE – Exploring New Frontiers” - is therefore apt and timely. It allows our students to explore a topic that is relatively new and certainly quite fascinating.

One of the anchor events of the Festival is the Science Fair. It runs on a biennial cycle, alternating between the Primary Science Fair and Secondary and Pre-U Science Fair.This year, it focuses on primary schools. It is encouraging to know that 176 projects were submitted for the Science Fair, of which a total of 114 projects have been shortlisted and are displayed at the Science Centre. Despite the challenge of a relatively new field, I understand that the students have come up with very interesting projects. They have used an investigative and inquiry-based approach to show how a question or problem raised can be tested and solved creatively.This approach complements very well the science education in our schools.

Nurturing imaginative young minds

It is also encouraging to know that about 500 Primary students from local as well as international schools, a total of 29 teams, pitched their communication and drama skills in the event, SYSF Stage!. With their uninhibited style and a good blend of imagination and knowledge on space science, they have taken their fascination of the ‘outer world’ to the stage. I look forward to the performance of the winning team later.

Equally exciting is the brand new activity, Shell Astro Nite.More than 5,000 students, teachers and family members had registered with 17 schools to take part in the Shell Astro Challenge on 15 and 29 May.

On 29 May, the public will have access to the Science Centre to view the night sky through telescopes.More than a thousand people are expected to participate. This activity allows students and members of the public an opportunity to gain an understanding of basic astronomy through observation and related educational materials.

It is also an avenue to connect amateur astronomers with educators and professionals. This nationwide socio-educational event aims to reach out to as many newcomers to the field of Astronomy as possible.

Other key events in the Festival include exciting and intellectually engaging activities, such as the Science Explorama and Teachers’ and Students’ Seminars.

Conclusion

I encourage all students to fully participate in and benefit from each activity.Programmes and activities in the Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival strongly complement the school curriculum.Such efforts also help to nurture in our youth a deep and abiding interest in the sciences, which is an important foundation for knowledge, inquiry and innovation to tackle the complex issues of tomorrow.

I commend the organisers, the Science Centre Singapore, the Science Teachers Association of Singapore and the Shell Companies in Singapore for their strong commitment to promoting the interactive learning of science by our youth, and for their community outreach efforts in Singapore.

I would like to congratulate all students who have participated in this Festival and urge you to continue to grow your passion for Science through discovery and learning.I would also like to thank our educators who play a very important role in transforming what might otherwise be remote or esoteric topics into accessible and interesting learning journeys for our students.I wish all participants of the Shell Singapore Youth Science Festival a fun and enriching experience.I now have great pleasure in declaring the 32ndShell Singapore Youth Science Festival open.Thank you.