24 April 2007

NUS High's formula for leadership

ROCKETING TO GREATER HEIGHTS: Students and VIPs celebrating NUS High School's official opening with a big bang. Helping to set off the rocket were Guest-of-honour, Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (3rd from right); Principal Lai Yee Hing (extreme right); NUS High School's Board of Governors Chairman Wee Heng Tin (2nd from right) and NUS President Shih Choon Fong (4th from right).

NUS HIGH School of Mathematics and Science has come of age -- in a short span of time. The School started in 2005 with 226 students and has only recently held its official opening ceremony (23 April). But it has already published its first book, 50 Math and Science Games for Leadership, a compilation of games carried out during their leadership camps by the School's 2nd Student Council. Highlighting key leadership principles through Math and Science concepts, the book (launched on 23 Mar) received good reviews. Assoc Prof Angeline Khoo of the Psychological Studies Academic Group at the National Institute of Education said the games presented in the book provide variations and opportunities for reflection after each game — a necessary process for learning.

FLYING HIGH: Students testing out their NUS High kite. They planned to fly some 100 kites as part of the celebrations but the event was cancelled due to the rain.

Other NUS High students are also true to the spirit of innovation advocated by Principal, Assoc Prof Lai Yee Hing. Year 5 students, Zhao Ye, Zhai Wei Chao and Seah Wei Ling have published their research on improvising different ways to use light to trap small particles in the international journal, Applied Physics B. This good news was announced by NUS President Prof Shih Choon Fong who chairs NUS High's Board of Directors, at the School's official opening. Education Minister Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam also announced that the NUS High diploma is now accredited by NUS, allowing students to apply to NUS after graduation without taking the A levels.