VSMART

Students who have a strong interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) can look forward to various opportunities and programmes available under the VSMART Framework to develop their passion. The VSMART framework allows interested students to participate in Mathematics and Science Olympiads and be part of ground-breaking research in collaboration with A*STAR and tertiary institutions. We also provide opportunities for students to take part in events organised by the various research institutions and organisations throughout the year to enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the applications of STEM.

VSMART seeks to harness the talents of students in Science and Mathematics to enable them to create an impact on society. Through this framework, we hope to spark our students’ love for STEM and develop their passion into possible careers in the future.

VSMART comprises the following:

In a special collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and A*STAR, VJC offers the H3 NUS-A*STAR-VJC (NAV) Science Research programme. Students in this unique programme can look forward to an individual Investigative Study in Physics, Chemistry or Biology under the guidance of VJC teachers and the mentorship of research practitioners from NUS and research institutes at A*STAR. This robust programme provides ample opportunities to deepen learning and engage in the intricacies of scientific research that takes place in universities and industry.

  
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  Students in the H3 NUS-A\*STAR–VJC (NAV) programme will carry out an Investigative Study in Science under the mentorship of teachers and researchers. The programme aims to develop higher order thinking, investigative and analytical skills in students through the investigative study. It builds on the foundational knowledge and skills taught in H2 Biology, H2 Chemistry, H2 Physics and/or H2 Mathematics.

  The programme is intended for students with high intellectual capacity and strong interests in scientific research. It allows them to extend and expand their learning on a specific area of Science, gain useful knowledge and experience which will provide the foundation for them to further engage in scientific research at a tertiary level.

  Eligibility

  Student is offering H2 Biology/ Chemistry/ Physics/ Mathematics (any 2)

  Assessment

  Students will undertake one science research project with the following components.

  • Research plan and research journal
  • Research paper
  • Oral presentation

  For students who want to offer two H3, the commitment is spread out over the two years

      

Beyond the examinable H3 NUS-A*STAR-VJC (H3-NAV) track, the college offers a comprehensive non-examinable science research programme: the Young Scientists Development (YSD) track.

Young Scientists Development Track

VJC has a strong research culture among the science teachers and students and has continuously supported the various research programmes of the Ministry of Education (e.g. Local and Overseas Student Attachment Programmes) and other research initiatives of the local tertiary institutions.

The college has established strong ties with local tertiary institutions (e.g. NUS, NTU and SUTD) and A*STAR Research Institutes, allowing students to embark on scientific works that will be mentored by eminent scientists of the various fields. These works will usually be submitted to the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) and many other science fairs at national and international level.

  
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  There is a range of projects offered under the YSD track in collaboration with external research institutes and local universities. These include:

  NUS Science Research Programme

  The NUS Science Research Programme is offered in collaboration with NUS and the Gifted Education Branch of the Ministry of Education. It aims to enable very capable students who aspire to a higher level of challenge to undertake projects under the supervision of academics and scientists in a real research environment. This programme comprises 2 parts:

  1.Mentorship Attachment

  The Mentorship Attachment offers students the chance to work on research projects in Science, Medicine and Engineering under the guidance of mentors from NUS and established research centres. Students work in a real-world research environment. During the mentorship attachment in May/June, the student spends at least 2 weeks working full-time on the research project.
  Thereafter, the student meets with the mentor on a regular basis to complete the research work. Every student writes a scientific paper at the end of the Attachment. The papers will be published as Proceedings during the annual Research Congress to be held in Apr each year.

  2.Science Research Congress

  The Science Research Congress offers students an opportunity to communicate their research findings to an audience of mentors and interested JC students. On the successful completion of the Attachment, certificates of participation will be presented to the students at the Congress.

  NTU Nanyang Research Programme

  The Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) is an NTU outreach programme for first year Junior College students. Participants in the programme will undertake eight months of research activities, either individually or in a pair, under the charge of an NTU faculty member. This programme will culminate in the submission of a Research Paper and an Oral Presentation carried out during the NRP Oral Presentation Assessment, held in March annually.
  NRP offers a variety of research topics from NTU’s four Colleges – College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and College of Business – as well as the National Institute of Education.

  SUTD Research Mentorship Programme

  SUTD offers research project opportunities and provides mentorship to selected pre-university students every year under this programme. Beyond giving the participants some experiential learning opportunities in research, SUTD offers participants special consideration for admissions and scholarships, should they apply to SUTD subsequently.

  Research @YDSP

  Defence Science Organisation (DSO) and Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) offer the Young Defence Scientists Programme (YDSP) that will stimulate and spur student's interest in science and technology. Under the mentorship of DSO's scientists and engineers, students will gain insightful research experience as they work on interesting defence related projects in a real laboratory environment.

      

At VJC, we constantly seek learning opportunities for students to pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Students can sign up for a variety of STEM-related activities including competitions and events offered by MOE, statutory boards and institutions of higher learning.  We strongly believe that participation in such activities would be helpful in broadening the knowledge of students in STEM and allow them to learn new skills.

The enrichment activities include:

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Informatics Olympiads
• Science & Mathematics competitions such as International Biomedical Quiz, Graphic calculator design competition, Australian Mathematics competition
• Science conventions such as International Science Youth Forum
• Science Centre events such as Singapore Science Festival
• Learning journeys such as visits to NUS Physics demonstration lab, local food and agriculture industries
• Science camps such as STEP-NUS Sunburst BrainCamp
• Science shows & talks by scientists

VJC Science & Technology Centre organises workshops, seminars and competitions for secondary students, attracting more than 1100 participants yearly from 60 schools nationwide.

This is part of the Centre’s efforts to inspire and foster greater interest amongst participants in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and our participants can develop a better appreciation of the connections and impact of STEM on their life, environment and society.

These sessions not only provide enrichment opportunities for the participating schools, they are also a platform for Victorians to plan, lead and run activities for other students, thus spreading their passion and interest in science and technology.

To encourage students from schools to be actively engaged in the learning and applications of STEM, the Centre is proud to partner with various organisations (A*STAR, DSTA-DSO, SIT, SUTD and TP) and present the following STEM-related competitions for the schools to participate.

• VJC STEM In Community Learning Series
• STEM Connect
  • Project Inspire
  • Data Science Hackathon
• A*STAR-VJC Science Fair
• DSTA-DSO-VJC Robotics Challenge
• SUTD-VJC 3D Modelling Competition
• VJC Amazing eco-STEM Race

VJC offers several STEM-based clubs and societies as part of its co-curricular (CCA) offerings. These CCAs provide a diverse set of learning, collaboration, competition and enrichment activities, with the aim of promoting wider appreciation and critical awareness of innovative, exploratory and impactful science and technology. These CCAs are:

• Astronomy Club
• Earth Watch
• Mathematics Society
• Medical Society
• Robotics and Makers Club
• Science Society

  
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  Astronomy Club

  The Astronomy Club serves to promote the study of Astronomy and allow members the opportunity to learn more about areas such as Practical Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Nuclear Astrophysics and Cosmology. Under the supervision of teachers, the student-led and passion-driven sessions will include theory and night observation sessions using different telescopes. There will also be a field trip to see the Milk Way. Members in the CCA also help to organize science workshops and carnivals and occasionally outreach activities to the public.

  Earth Watch

  Earth Watch aims to raise awareness of how important it is to care for and preserve the environment. In this cause, members plan and initiate events and projects to promote green living, address climate change and build a greener College campus. Members in this CCA learn about cultivating various flowers and crops, managing e-waste and running projects to reduce, reuse and recycle. Platforms include VJC Earthweek, E-Waste Collection Drive, environmental competitions, workshops and talks organized by Sembcorp Greenwave and NParks Nature Outreach.

  Mathematics Society

  The Mathematics Society provides the platform for students to develop critical and strategic thinking skills through solving recreational puzzles, playing logic-reasoning games and the exploration of mathematics concepts in daily applications. Some of the possible activities include computer coding to expose members to programming languages such as Python, training for Mathematics Olympiad and A-Level applications and exploration of Rubik’s cube. Members will also promote the interest in the subject to others using fun intellectual activities for both internal and external events.

  Medical Society

  The Medical Society comprises students who share an interest in the medicine and healthcare industry. Through various activities, members deepen their understanding about various diseases, medical knowledge and current development in these areas. Students lead in the sharing on medical topic and discussions, and organize talks by medical and healthcare professionals. There will also be periodical visits to various medical institutions, as well as participate in VIAs. In addition, members will also get to take part in the annual International Biomedical Quiz.

  Robotics and Makers Club

  The Robotics and Makers Club allows members to turn their ideas into reality. Under external professional trainers, members focus in areas such as Vex robot building, learn programming languages such as Python and Arduino micro-controller and others. With these engineering and programming skills, members take part in competitions such as the S'pore National Vex Robotics Championship, Hackathons (NUS Hack & Roll, NTU hackathon), the Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition, Cyberthon (cyber-security competition) and the Singapore Vex Robotics Championship.

  Science Society

  The Science Society serves as a platform for students who are passionate about the sciences to try out novel science experiments which are not within their science curriculum. Under the supervision of teachers, members get to use the well-equipped S&T Centre to conduct outreach events for participants within and those outside the College. Members get to organize the Science Challenge for students in VJC and also to organize and facilitate science workshops during the VCA Science Explore and the STEM Festival@VJC.