S Ramesh Channel NewsAsia 28 Aug 13;
SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said it is important for the nation to start with the young in nurturing responsible citizens.
He said schools prepare students to be conscientious stewards of the planet in many ways.
Presenting prizes to winners of the Senoko Sustainability Challenge organised for schools on Wednesday, Mr Heng noted that the school curriculum covers climate change and sustainability from various angles.
Students learn about biodiversity, global warming and climate change.
Competitions like the Senoko Sustainability Challenge are another avenue for them to learn about environmental sustainability.
More than 100 entries were received for the competition.
- CNA/nd
Energy-saving ideas: Mirror trick and hotel perks
David Ee Straits Times 29 Aug 13;
FOR bright students, a dim classroom is simply not good enough.
So a group of secondary school children has come up with a novel way to let more light in during lessons - using the sun and a system of mirrors and prisms.
These were placed strategically around the classroom, meaning there was less need for ceiling lights during the day.
The idea from students at NUS High School of Mathematics and Science was one of the "practical and doable solutions" that emerged as winners in this year's Senoko Sustainability Challenge.
More than 400 students spent several months putting themselves in the shoes of policymakers. Their goal was to come up with ways for Singapore to stay resilient against the impact of global climate change. Their ideas were judged by a panel that included biologist and former National Parks Board chairman Leo Tan. Yesterday, he praised the level-headed way in which they approached the challenge, saying: "They were not dreaming (about) science fiction... they were saying, 'we can do this today.'"
Other winners included a team from Raffles Girls' School which realised hotel guests would be more inclined to save energy if they were offered perks in return.
Their proposal, pitched to the Intercontinental Hotel Group, offered customers incentives such as spa treatments, dining vouchers and discounted stays if they kept their energy use down.
This could help to both prevent waste and "maximise" guests' enjoyment, said team member Poh Yong Han, 16.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat told the students they would "grow up to be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow". This means they must be aware that their small "green" efforts will have a large impact over time, he said at yesterday's ceremony at the Mandarin Orchard hotel.
The Senoko Sustainability Challenge was first launched in 2005. This year, it attracted more than 100 entries from 52 schools.
