Science

OUR VISION:

To nurture the student as an inquirer

OUR PEOPLE:

The Science Department of Lianhua Primary consists of experienced teachers who are united with a common purpose—to inculcate Science knowledge and values in our students through planned execution of fun learning experiences.

Our science teachers act as leaders of inquirers in the science classroom by creating a learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. This approach enables our students to develop important skills and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. We also incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) mindsets and attributes in science lessons for our students to foster their interest in Science and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

SOME OF OUR PROGRAMMES AT A GLANCE:

POTS (Primary One and Two Science)
Yes! Programme (Young Exploring Scientists! Programme)
Science@Home Programme
Fun With Science
Eco-Stewardship@LHPS

POTS (PRIMARY ONE AND TWO SCIENCE
To enrich our students’ learning experiences, our school has crafted a special curriculum to give our students a headstart in the learning of Science in Primary 1 and 2. We have aligned the curriculum with our school’s student outcomes, namely Passionate Learner, Critical and Creative Thinker, Confident Communicator and Exemplary Leader, and MOE Science Syllabus 2023. This curriculum is aptly named POTS (Primary One and Two Science) as we are the “pots” with the nourishment for our young and naturally curious “seedlings” (our students) to grow and blossom.

The lessons often take place in our science garden where students, as exemplary leaders, learn about flora and fauna and nature manners. In the course of the learning, our students’ passion in science is ignited and they are given opportunities to be critical and creative thinkers with the questions they ask and share confidently the discoveries they have made. They also develop their practices of science such as observing, classifying, comparing and communicating when they learn about different animal groups and plants.

Photographs of students exploring the garden and sharing their learning

Students observing a plant with lobed edge	Students doing a Show N Tell on Reptiles
Pocket Gardens by the students	Student with her pocket garden
Some questions our P2 curious students have: Where do seeds come from? Why does a cactus have spikes? How do plants come from seeds? Do plants die?	One of the students asked: This student wondered and felt that love was needed by the plants to grow. This is also exactly how we support our students’ growth in learning, with love.

In term 4, after a culmination of what they have experienced in P1 and P2 POTS, they take on the role of a field scientist to hone their skills and deepen their understanding. They continue their exploration and discovery-making beyond the classroom.
Field Scientists@Work!

YES! (YOUNG EXPLORING SCIENTISTS) PROGRAMME AND OUR SCIENCE STEWARDS
The world is constantly evolving. How do we at Lianhua Primary prepare our students for their future so that they can stay relevant?

Our answer to that is the Young Exploring Scientists! (YES!) programme. Through this programme, we aim to inculcate STEM skills and mindset to prepare the younger generation for rapid technological advancements. In this programme, P3 to P6 students are exposed to the construction of science toys and STEM challenges. They are also given opportunities to participate in level-based programmes that were specifically selected for their alignment to the science concepts and topics that they are learning.

Science Toys and STEM Challenges
The use of science toys actively creates learning opportunities for students to experiment and extend their learning beyond the classroom. More often than not, students do not successfully complete the creation of the science toys within the first try. This is the same for STEM challenges where students design their own prototypes and test out the suitability of the designs in fulfilling the challenge requirements. The process of creating and testing, then refining, is a long and tedious one, but students are encouraged by their teachers and spurred on by the successes of their peers to persevere until they do succeed. This is part of the STEM mindset. In STEM, mistakes and failed attempts are viewed as positive experiences, offering opportunities for deeper learning and questioning that will lead to eventual success. It also encourages resilience, which is a core value of our school.

Level-based Programmes
For learning to take place effectively, there must be hands-on, active participation. The level-based programmes in YES! empower students to take greater responsibility in their learning as they participate in activities that are aligned with the curriculum.

P4 – Indoor Hydroponics
In this densely populated country, where land and resources are scarce, hydroponics could just be a solution to Singapore’s food supply vulnerabilities. Our P4 students had the opportunity to experience the future of farming in their classrooms! They germinated seeds, transplanted them and cared for them. After weeks of dedication and care, they harvested and were rewarded with fruits of their labour.

P5 – Gardening
Equipped with the experience from Indoor Hydroponics, our Primary 5 Science Stewards dedicated their time and effort on food sustainability, growing Spanish Spinach in the school’s garden. They used the compost from the P6 Composting programme to enrich the soil. With some tender, loving care, the Spanish Spinach was ready to harvest within weeks. The harvested Spanish Spinach was then taken to the canteen for our canteen vendors to cook - a true definition of the Farm-to-Table concept.

P6 – Composting
Our Primary 6 students showed how sustainability could be achieved even within the small compound of our very own school. Science Stewards from various P6 classes had their first-hand experience in amassing compost. The compost was later used to fertilise the soil for plants to thrive in the school. Food waste such as banana skins were broken down by the African Night Crawlers in the soil to produce compost.

Science Stewards
‘One is never too small to make a difference’.

Lianhua Primary School has a passionate group of youngsters who commit their time and energy to preserving the school’s flora and fauna. This special group of people make up the LHPS Science Stewards.

These Science Stewards are volunteers from various classes of differing levels and they range from P3 to P6. Upon confirmation of their Science Stewards status, these students are trained to assist in the running of Science programmes and challenges across the different levels.

SCIENCE@HOME PROGRAMME
One of the things that makes learning Science really fun is the opportunity to explore and learn about scientific concepts and phenomena through experimentation.

To this purpose, each P3-P6 pupil was provided with a Science Kit that was relevant to a topic they were learning about that year. SLS lessons were then crafted by members of the department and assigned to the pupils. The lessons were designed to allow students to explore the topic in greater detail and to be able to experiment in science lessons as well as at home. In turn, their experiments led to discussions among their peers about the scientific phenomena that they had discovered.

FUN WITH SCIENCE (Primary Four and Five High-Ability Learners)
The Fun With Science programme is specially designed to spark a passion for learning and develop critical and creative thinking skills in high-ability students. Through exciting, hands-on science activities, students are encouraged to explore and solve challenging problems, applying both their analytical abilities and creativity.

This programme aims to nurture curiosity, inspiring students to dive deeper into scientific concepts. By conducting their own experiments, they not only strengthen their understanding of science but also learn valuable skills like designing investigations, analysing data, and presenting their findings. Fun With Science offers an enriching experience that goes beyond the classroom, fostering a lifelong love for scientific discovery.

ECO-STEWARDSHIP@LHPS

Building Eco-Leaders: Our School’s Sustainability Journey
At LHPS, we believe in fostering environmental stewardship from a young age. Through a dynamic and hands-on approach, students from Primary 3 to Primary 6 are deeply involved in programs that emphasize sustainability, innovation, and community awareness.

Innovation Week: Empowering Young Innovators
Our Primary 3 to Primary 5 students take part in Innovation Week, where the theme centers on sustainability. Each level tackles a unique environmental challenge.

Students are engaged in the Design Thinking process, which encourages critical and creative thinking. By brainstorming, prototyping, and refining solutions, they develop real-world responses to environmental issues. The week culminates in intra-class presentations of their innovative prototypes. Selected teams will also share their ideas during recess in Term 3, further raising environmental awareness among their peers.

Through these activities, students not only grow as Exemplary Leaders but also as Critical & Creative Thinkers.

Primary 3: Zero Food Waste

The teams design visually appealing posters and prototypes that communicate the importance of reducing food waste. This aims to inspire students to adopt sustainable habits in their daily lives.

Primary 4: Water Conservation

The teams designed compact rainwater harvesting systems that collect and store rainwater for gardening and cleaning, showcasing practical solutions for water conservation.

Primary 5: Energy Efficiency

The students collaboratively create and present posters that highlight the significance of energy conservation. Their engaging presentation fosters discussion and encourages peers to think critically about their energy consumption habits.

Green School Activities: Leading by Example
Our Primary 6 students actively participate in Green School Activities aimed at increasing awareness in creating a more sustainable and healthy school environment. These include:

Litter-free Environment initiatives
Dengue Prevention awareness
3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) programs
Energy Efficiency & Conservation

By carrying out awareness campaigns within the school, these students serve as Confident Communicators, educating their schoolmates on eco-friendly practices. Their leadership helps drive a culture of responsibility and environmental consciousness throughout the school.

Promoting a Cleaner School Environment
We are also introducing initiatives such as the Classroom Cleanliness Audits and Canteen Cleanliness Campaigns, encouraging every student to take ownership of their learning spaces.

These programmes not only teach responsibility but also help instill a lifelong habit of cleanliness and care for the environment.