50% of schools to experience new secondary programme by 2017

Currently, 42 out of 124 are offering it.

Almost half of Singaporean secondary schools are offering the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Applied Learning Programme (STEM ALP) today.

According to the Ministry of Education, this programme will provide learning opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in science, mathematics and technology to solve real-world problems. By 2017, half of the 124 mainstream secondary schools will offer the STEM ALP to students.

The objective of STEM ALP is to help students appreciate the relevance and value of what they learn in the curriculum and develop stronger motivation and purpose to acquire knowledge and skills. The skills and competencies include: Scientific inquiry and literacy; Reasoning and problem solving; Design thinking; Computational thinking; and Data analysis and the use of technology.

In addition, the STEM ALP provides students an early exposure to STEM-related applied learning and careers and helps to ignite students’ interest to pursue STEM-related courses in Institutes of Higher Learning, and a career in the STEM-related industries,

To support schools in developing and implementing quality STEM ALPs, MOE has partnered STEM Inc., a newly-established unit under the Science Centre Singapore comprising about 50 personnel. Some of STEM Inc.’s personnel also have industry experience, and will work with schools to create meaningful and enriching learning opportunities for students.