Five Polytechnics Join Hands To Promote
In Engineering
SINGAPORE – 21 OCTOBER 2005 – Is Engineering the hardnosed discipline that many make it out to be? The five local polytechnics have come together for a second year to dispel this notion and to highlight the rich possibilities available to engineering students with the message that with the passion to innovate comes endless possibilities. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, will officially launch Engineering Week 2005, on Monday, 24 October, at 1.30pm at Temasek Convention Centre in Temasek Polytechnic.
Engineering Week serves to encourage more post-secondary school students to consider engineering as a career option. “Engineering: Passion and Possibilities” is the official theme and tagline adopted by the polytechnics to promote engineering. The tagline emphasizes the wide range of choices that an engineering background provides. This annual event which started last year is organised by the five polytechnics with the support and endorsement of EDB, MOE as well as the Singapore Science Centre.
"Engineers are always fascinated by how and why things work. They use their training in mathematics, physics and chemistry to understand the physical world and to develop creative solutions. Indeed, great challenges abound in Engineering and where career opportunities are concerned, you can aim as high as you want. But most enriching of all, you can help to make the world a better and safer place,” commented Prof Low Prof Low Teck Seng, Principal & CEO of Republic Polytechnic and Chairman of the Taskforce on Engineering Education in Polytechnics.
Selected exhibits by each Polytechnic and by the Singapore Science Centre will be put up outside the Convention Centre. Another highlight of Monday’s event is the Roving Bus - an exciting exhibition on wheels that offers a fun and insightful journey of discovery based on the theme, Engineering: Passion and Possibilities. The colourful bus packed with a host of exciting exhibits to keep visitors enthralled and entertained is scheduled to reach out to about 80,000 secondary school students over a period of about nine months. Friendly cabin crew will also be on hand to offer career and training counselling on Engineering. The Roving Bus will be parked at Temasek Polytechnic for the launch of Engineering Week and will be visited by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
The week ahead will see thousands of secondary school students flocking to the five polytechnics to participate in the many exciting Engineering-related workshops organised especially for them. Details of the activities that each polytechnic has lined up for Engineering Week can be found at the official Engineering Week website: http://www.engineering.edu.sg/ew05
The programme for the Opening Ceremony is given in Annex I and some highlights of Engineering Week can be found in Annex II for your easy reference.
Ms Vimala Christie
DID: 67805019
Email: vimalac@tp.edu.sg
NANYANG POLYTECHNIC
Ms Sandra Tan
DID: 6550 0223
Email: sandra_tan@nyp.gov.sg
NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC
Ms Sheryl Sim
DID: 6460 7362
Email: sherylsim@np.edu.sg
REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC
Ms Leo Kwang Lin
DID: 6510 3022
Email: leo_kwang_lin@rp.sg
SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC
Mr Eddie Sim
DID: 6772 1634
Email: esim@sp.edu.sg
TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC
Ms Vimala Christie
DID: 67805019
Email: vimalac@tp.edu.sg
| ANNEX I | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGINEERING WEEK OPENING CEREMONY 24 OCT 2005 TEMASEK CONVENTION CENTRE | ||
| PROGRAMME | ||
| 1:00 pm | Registration of Guests | |
| 1:30 pm | Guests to be seated | |
| Screening of the Combined Poly video | ||
| 2:00 pm | Arrival of Guest-of-Honour Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources & Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs | |
| Short Video Presentation on Engineering Week 2004 | ||
| Welcome Address by Prof Low Teck Seng Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Republic Polytechnic Chairman, Engineering Taskforce Steering Committee | ||
| Opening Address by Guest-of-Honour | ||
| Launch of Engineering Week 2005 | ||
| Presentation of Memento to GOH | ||
| 2.20 pm | Special Performance – “Passion + Possibilities” | |
| 3:00 pm | Tour of Exhibits | |
| 3.30 pm | Departure of Guest-of-Honour | |
| Reception | ||
| 4:30 pm | End of Programme | |
ANNEX II
SUMMARY OF SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF ENGINEERING WEEK
| Polytechnic | Title of activity/workshop/programme | Interesting Points to Note: |
|---|---|---|
| NANYANG POLYTECHNIC | 1. i-tech: a Creativity-Technology Fusion Challenge | This 3 full day workshop is a must for schools who wish to take part in the FRS (FIRST Robotics Singapore) Games. The students will form a team of 3 and be trained to use the latest iconic programming methods on the FRS processors. Exercising their creativity, these students will build their own robots and compete with other teams in the grand Gladiator-like Games on the last day. |
| 2. Making of a Handphone | Discover the applications of various technologies involved in making a handphone through treasure hunt, puzzles, games and visits to our special labs. This energetic programme calls for teamwork and problem solving skills. Must bring your handphones to get free downloads as you discover the world of engineering! | |
| 3. SMS-Based Car Security System | What has an engineer to do with car surveillance? Well, they can help prevent car thefts. Thanks to the SMS-Based Car Security System, nothing escapes the notice of car owners, even if their cars are not within their line of vision. Engineering technologies such as Electronic Circuit Design, Intelligent Control Technology and Wireless Communications Technology (viz. SMS) when combined, unleashes a powerful device in the form of an SMS-based Car Security System. |
| NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC | 1. Real Estate Entrepreneurship Game | Ever wondered what it’s like to be an entrepreneur? Well, quit thinking and get going by thinking and get going by taking part in the Real Estate Entrepreneurship Game. Raise capital, set up businesses and make decisions in different business environments. Just like the real thing! |
| 2. Electrifying Connections | You switch on and switch off, day in and day out, but how much do you really know about electricity? Put yourself to the test at the Electrifying Connections workshop. Find out more about closed and open circuits, and see if you can wire up a set of electrical components to operate the lights, alarm and mini-fan in specific ways. Catch these and more at this hands-on, interesting session! | |
| 3. Creating with Laser and Micro Systems | Create your own laser shows, write your names in laser light, and experience the power and magic of light at the Creating with Laser and Micro Systems workshop! Learn about machines so small that you can't even see them. Other attractions: Design and make key chains with a laser marking machine, and transmit sound using light. | |
| REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC | 1. Automa.05 | A one day competition in which the students will build a winning home automation system. They will learn simple PLC programming, how to design and control their own home automation system and then compete with others to emerge as the best home automation design team! |
| 2. Logistikos.05 | A one day competition helps students to learn supply chain management concepts through a game. In the game they learn customer demands, plan transportation routes and decide the transportation modes to minimize the cost. | |
|---|---|---|
| 3. Tee-off with Robix | In this 3 hour workshop, the students will learn how to program a robot to play golf and be challenged to win the Robotic Golf Tournament. | |
| SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC | 1. Electronics Magic | This is a very practical workshop for participants as it unravels a nice set of home-made devices to demonstrate the magic of electronics... gadgets that use the invisible and interactive effects of electric and magnetic fields - even heat rays - to alter sounds or lights. |
| 2. Innovative Product Development and Prototyping | In this fun and hands-on workshop, participants may create anything they wish. They will only be limited by the extent of their own imagination and creativity. Participants will be exposed to a problem-solving program that will help bring life to their creations through its 3-D software modelliing techniques used in engineering design and prototyping. They will see the conceptualisation of their product idea from design to a physical model for testing, visualization and marketing. | |
| 3. Sun: Our Lifeline of Energy Source | How can people harness the solar energy to generate electricity? What applications of solar energy have been implemented so far? Can solar energy generate Singapore’s energy needs? Participants will discover the answers to these issues and the ways solar energy can be used to power various objects in daily life. They will be provided with training kits to experience how to use solar energy to light up LEDs(Light Emitting Diode). | |
| TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC | 1. Water Rockets Competition @ Temasek Polytechnic | Students will apply scientific theories, Newton's Law of motion and aerodynamics principles to design and fabricate a rocket model using a 1.5 litre pop-bottle and some recycled materials. A water rocket launcher will be used to propel the rocket model high up into the air. Teams will be awarded prizes based on the furthest distance travelled by the rocket and the most innovative design. |
| 2. The Biomedical Experience | This workshop introduces you to the interesting world of Biomedical Sciences. You will be playing on-line games related to Biomedical Engineering. You will also learn how biomedical professionals and engineers are improving our quality of life using various biomedical tools. | |
| 3. Aerospace - Reach For The Sky | Apply scientific theories and aerodynamics principles to design and fabricate an aircraft model using a pop bottle and recycle materials. A water rocket launcher will be used to propel the aircraft model forward. |