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Inspiring Singapore's youths to consider technical careers in a new light
[October 11, 2017]

Inspiring Singapore's youths to consider technical careers in a new light


SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Science Centre Singapore's 40th anniversary celebrations, 250 students aged 11 - 14 years experienced a sneak peek into potential career paths that involved designing wearable technology, computer coding and sound engineering. The budding STEM professionals were the first batch of participants in the Caltex Fuel Your School -- Tech Jam 2017 enrichment program, which will see a total of 700 upper primary and lower secondary students from eight public schools island-wide participating over four days.

Held at the Science Centre Singapore's Marquee, this year's Caltex Fuel Your School -- Tech Jam 2017 marks a new chapter for Caltex's signature community program. Projects featured at this year's workshops span across Science, Electronics, Engineering, Creativity, and Maker Culture, and have been carefully curated to ensure gender neutrality. Additionally, organisers recruited local industry experts and makers of change to mentor and inspire attending students, with the aim to break traditional gender stereotypes associated with the field. Mentors include Ms Farah Sanwari, Executive Director of Sustainable Living Lab; Mr Leon Lim, Technical Support Engineer, Touch & Print; Mr Saad Chinoy, Chief Geek at Tusitala Digital Publishing; and Ms Melissa Law, Resident Tech Wizard, Makedemy.

From today to October 13, participating students will get to try out fun hands-on projects that integrate music, visual, and performing arts with the ofttimes-daunting subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The acronym STE(A)M refers to integrating elements of the arts into traditional STEM subjects. The partnership also sees the debut of a two-week research experience program, which will see best-performing students returning to Science Centre Singapore during the school holidays to hone their interest in the field.

"We have invited inspiring mentors from the maker community to encourage children to use their hands as it teaches them to investigate and it also encourages innovation. The mentors are also involved in various community initiatives and are in a good position to share with students that STEM-related careers are multi-faceted, exciting and enriching," Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive, Science Centre Singapore said.

"Thanks to the support of the community, our signature Caltex Fuel Your School program can now harness the talents and expertise of Science Centre Singapore to help engineer a genuine spark in future STEM fields, not just among targeted beneficiaries but members of the public too," said Mr Shahid Ahmed, Chevron's general manager for products in Singapore.

"Itwas very enriching as I learnt how to sew and make a bracelet, and other things. I think what we learnt today will be very beneficial for us in the future. I can't wait to come back for the camp in November and get to learn things that are more advanced and will help prepare us for Secondary school," said Isaiah Hui Zhou Rong, a Primary 6 student from Nanyang Primary School, one of 10 students selected to return for the two-week research experience program.



"I had so much fun doing the activities! I didn't know that Science could be applied this way. I just hope that I can get more chances like this next time," Keritharan Gopalkrishnan from Wellington Primary School said.

"I've always enjoyed robotics and programming, so getting an opportunity to do it physically always thrills me. It was especially interesting to learn about how some objects that are broken may be repaired and recreated," said Raiden Kai Puthucheary from Nanyang Primary School.


A separate session of Caltex Fuel Your School -- Tech Jam 2017 will be held on the weekend of Oct 14-15 for members of the public. Held in appreciation of the community's support in helping Caltex Singapore to meet its pledge of $60,000, the open session features condensed versions of the projects, and is suitable for kids and adults of all ages. Additionally, interested participants who present a recent Caltex fuel transaction receipt along with a Plus! Card will receive priority access to the open session on a first-come, first-served basis, and a 20 percent discount on admission to Science Centre Singapore from now to December 31. For more information on the activities, visit www.science.edu.sg.

Caltex Fuel Your School -- Tech Jam 2017 was made possible through the support of the local motoring community. From September 8-17, Caltex raised $60,000 following a pledge to contribute $2 for every eligible fuel transaction made with a Plus! Card at their retail network across Singapore.

Chevron Singapore Pte Limited markets the Caltex retail brand locally. The signature Caltex Fuel Your School program is part of Chevron's overall support to education, which has totaled over $300 million worldwide since 2013. It has been locally adapted for the third year running to support learning-based programs that help students acquire new knowledge, gain new skills and be exposed to diverse ways of thinking. For more information on the program, visit bit.ly/CaltexFuelYourSchool2017

Issued by: Caltex Singapore and Science Centre Singapore

Full press kit available at: https://zenoftp.boxcn.net/v/caltexfuelyourschooltechjam

About Science Centre Singapore

Science Centre Singapore, a non-formal educational institution and leading regional Science Centre, along with its group of attractions, brings out the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through its unique blend of exhibitions, educational programs and events. A custodian of creativity and innovation, Science Centre Singapore has captured the evolution of scientific developments for nearly four decades. The Centre and its partners have played a pivotal role in transforming the way students and the public interact with and learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since 1997, the Centre has welcomed over 30 million visitors and inspired them with more than 1,000 exhibits spread across 14 exhibition galleries and outdoor exhibition spaces. The Centre's group of attractions include Omni-Theatre, Snow City and KidsSTOP™. The Omni-Theatre is an immersive dual-technology edutainment destination fitted with Southeast Asia's largest seamless dome screen and featuring the latest and brightest 8k digital fulldome system in the world. Snow City is Singapore's only permanent indoor snow centre offering an Arctic inspired experience at Singapore's first ice gallery and snow chamber. KidsSTOP™ - Where every child gets to Imagine, Experience, Discover and Dream - is Singapore's first children's science centre offering an enriching experience through purposeful play for children aged 18 months to 8 years old. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg

About Chevron Singapore

Chevron Singapore Pte. Ltd. markets the 81-year-old Caltex brand, which is Chevron's customer-facing brand in Asia Pacific and parts of the Middle East and Africa. The Caltex retail network in Singapore consists of 26 Caltex service stations and StarMart-branded convenience stores. Products such as the all new Caltex with Techron® with Clean & Glide Technology™ petrol, Caltex Diesel with Techron® D and Havoline® motor oil are also available at all Caltex service stations. In partnership with NTUC Link, the Plus! loyalty programme also enables motorists to earn 3 LinkPoints for every litre of fuel purchased at Caltex. For more information, visit www.caltex.com.sg

 

SOURCE Chevron Singapore


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