Download TEACHING STYLE

BIOLOGY
RAFFLES ACADEMIES
a.k.a. B.RA
REQUIREMENTS
 Secondary Two Results
 4.0 GP for Biology
 3.6 overall GPA
 Others: on a case-by-case basis
 Procedure
1. Selection Test
2. Interview (for some)
 Other Requirements
 Science Mentorship Project
 OM-Tech Problem
RP vs RA
 How is RA different from RP?
 More
depth and breadth in curriculum
 Discussion-based teaching style
 More opportunities for biology-related activities
 Varied RA assessments
SEC 3 CURRICULUM
RP Curriculum
Additional RA Topics
 Homeostasis
 Kidney
 Respiration
 Photosynthesis
 Ecology
 Man’s Impact on the
Environment
 Evolution
 Photosystems I & II
SEC 4 CURRICULUM
RP Curriculum
 Fertility
Additional RA Topics

Foetal screening (e.g.
amniocentisis)
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Statistical analysis (chi-square
test), Epistasis, Collaboration,
Complementary genes,
Pleiotropy, x inactivation
 Cellular Reproduction
 Genomic Biology
 Genetic Biology
 Genetic Engineering
 Genetically Modified
Organisms
Regulation of gene expression of
lac and ara operons
 Gene technology (DNA probes
and hybridisation, Northern,
Southern, Western,
Southwestern blotting)

TEACHING STYLE
 Accelerated learning
 RP syllabus covered
briefly in class to allow
more time for RA
 Additional handouts
which delve deeper into
topics covered
 More hands-on activities
TEACHING STYLE
 Discussion-based
and participation
 Lessons
are based on
students’ input
 Sharing of ideas and
opinions are strongly
encouraged
 Group research, then
sharing through class
presentations
TEACHING STYLE
 Self-motivated
learning
 Hardly
any
spoonfeeding
 More opportunities to
explore and research on
your own
 WHAT YOU TAKE
AWAY IS BASED ON
WHAT YOU PUT IN!
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
 An
attachment programme under which students,
under the guidance of an expert-mentor (e.g.
professor, doctor) carry out scientific research and
investigation
 Expert-mentors from institutions e.g NUS, NTU
 Comprises 2 main sections: Mentorship/attachment
& project work, and participation in Youth Science
Conference (YSC) in September
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
 Allows
students to gain exposure to scientific
research and investigation/experimentation
 Topics researched on in the course of doing the SMP
project will most likely be relevant to the RA
curriculum
 Students are given the opportunity to work in
laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art
technologies and equipment
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
 Requirements:
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Aptitude in Math and Science
Interest in science
Ability to grasp abstract scientific concepts
Motivation and initiative
Time management skills
Commitment and discipline
Intellectual curiosity
Ability to work with others in a team
Social skills needed to relate to adults
Recommendation by a Science Teacher
Recommendation by Head of Department
(Source: http://www.gebsp.moe.gov.sg/SMP/index.htm)
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
 Selection Process:
Submission of a research proposal (Nov)
 Based on topics proposed by the individual or by
various expert-mentors from different institutions
 Unsuccessful applicants are to reapply, and a new list of
research topics proposed by expert-mentors will be
released (January)
 Others will be considered on a case-by-case basis

ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Competitions
 National Youth Envirolympics Challenge (NYEC)
Organised in partnership with NEA
 An “amazing-race” around Singapore, centered around
encouraging youths to support the green cause

ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 3-day attachment at Institute of
Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)
Learnt lab techniques (eg: Gel Electrophoresis,
Polymerase Chain Reaction)
 Worked in a state-of-the-art lab
 Got a feel of what a research scientist does
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ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
State-ofthe-art lab
at IMCB
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 Science Talks

Stem Cell Talk Series 2009 by Prof Lim Tit Meng
at the Science Centre
A
series of 4 talks about stem cells and nerve growth
factors, and its applications today

Evolution Talk by Dr Shawn Lum (from NIE)
 Enrichment
on Evolution from Secondary 3
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
 RA Class Project – Mosquito Breeding Sites
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Collaboration with RI and NUS to study mosquito breeding
sites
Aim of the investigation was to find out which site in our
school best favours the breeding of mosquito
Placed mosquito larvae trap in different sites around the school
(Koi Pond, Eco Garden, J-Block Basketball Courts)
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the class will count the number
of larvae in each trap
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Mosquito
Traps
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Placing the
mosquito traps in
the Eco garden
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Michelle and Michelle
placing the mosquito
traps near the
basketball courts
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Julia transferring
mosquito larvae
into tubes
ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Our mosquito larvae samples
RA ASSESSMENTS
 Creative assessment methods
 Have RP as well as RA assessments
 Nuture and develop your creative potential
 Encourages insightful thinking
RA ASSESMENTS
 Pen and Paper assessments
 Aunt Agony column response
 Standard pen and paper test
 Class presentation
 Lab report
 Making products
 Brochures
 Models
 Posters
RA ASSESMENTS
GM
Brochure
in S3
MORE ABOUT B.RA
(insert BRA photo here and photos of teachers :D)
Thank you for your kind attention!
Any questions?