Bringing out a Student’s Star Quality
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Chua Meng Shuen took the top prize at the A*STAR Talent Search 2008.
Reach for the stars, and you’ll get there - that’s what Chua Meng Shuen did. A Year 6 student (JC2-equivalent) in Dunman High School’s Integrated Programme, he recently became a star in his own right when he won the first prize at the recent A*STAR Talent Search 2008 competition.
Meng Shuen’s research project, “A Study of Boundary Layer for Differing Viscous Cylinder Flows”, looked at how one can increase the energy efficiency of new-generation cars by modifying the shape of the chassis. It’s not a topic one would normally associate with the “typical” school curriculum of an 18-year-old, but Meng Shuen got a headstart in Sec 4, with the encouragement of his school.
Pursuing his passion all the way
“I’ve always been good at science, and I have a passion for aeroplanes and sports cars,” says Meng Shuen. In Sec 4, his teacher told him about the Young Defence Scientists Programme, managed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency in collaboration with R&D institution DSO National Laboratories. He applied successfully to join the programme and the stint ignited a deep passion for research.
Meng Shuen continued to develop this through various mentorship and research programmes, some of which ran concurrently, with NUS, NUS High and NTU. He recalls, “The research programmes were multi-disciplinary with integrated topics, and really encouraged independent thinking and the development of knowledge. My topic straddled transport and aerodynamics, which allowed me to pursue my interest of vehicles, and the science behind aeroplanes.”
While his school did not provide content input in these research ventures, it supported him in other ways. “My teachers have been helpful from the beginning - such as writing the recommendation that went with my application for each programme, monitoring my progress and updating my mentors,” says Meng Shuen. “They’ve given me presentation tips, assisted in my exhibition posters, and also facilitated my submission for the Singapore Science and Technology Fair 2008.”
Meng Shuen discussing his research project with distinguished guests at the A*STAR Talent Search 2008.
Bringing out every student’s talent
Meng Shuen’s passion and love of research are what Dunman High School wants to encourage among its students. “We want to allow every child to develop his talents fully,” says Principal Mr Sng Chern Wei. “Our Talent Development Framework exposes students to areas beyond the school curriculum and encourages them to expand their interests and knowledge both during and outside curriculum time.”
For example, Dunman High School has an Electives Week every year, when guest lecturers from polytechnics, universities and the private sector conduct talks and workshops during school hours. The school’s Heads of Department consider feedback from students before planning the topics and identifying the expert lecturers. The subjects taught during Electives Week are non-examinable, and popular topics include “Shakespeare in a divided world”, traditional Chinese medicine, aerospace and the life sciences.
“Talent development is an integral part of the school,” reiterates Mr Sng. “Our Sec 1 students undergo the foundation course called Research Studies, which provide them the basic skills for research and prepare them for project work. Subject banding, where students of similar abilities attend classes together, also challenges them further.”
Some of the school’s CCAs, such as the Science Council, Maths Society and IT Club, are also geared towards talent enhancement and have partnerships with tertiary institutions, and mentorship and joint research programmes.
As Meng Chuen’s experience has shown, stars can certainly be nurtured to their full brightness at Dunman High School. What’s next? Well, the sky’s the limit, isn’t it?