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Innovation Hub The Innovaon Hub caters to the acquision of core disciplinary knowledge and its interconnecons, and promotes design thinking, computaonal thinking and STEM educaon. The hub provides resources and opportunies for (a) authenc learning and applicaon, (b) use of technology to solve problems, and (c) maker acvies that encourage experimentaon, creave problem-solving, innovaon and entrepreneurship. The hub is a six-storey block which houses the special rooms. Level 1 consists of the Design and Technology (D&T) studio and the Keppel Sandbox. Level 2 holds a makerspace, a project room and art studios while Level 3 holds the research laboratory (which includes a ssue culture room), the audio-visual aids room and kitchens. Levels 4, 5, and 6 have four Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories on each level. The rooms in the hub are equipped differently to serve specific needs for learning, exploraon and collaboraon. The proximity of these working spaces and facilies encourages interacon among students and cross- ferlisaon of ideas. Keppel Sandbox The Keppel Sandbox is a digital makerspace adjoining the D&T studio. It is a space where students learn and use computer programming to solve authenc problems and have fun building and dismantling, experimenng and risk-taking. The Keppel Sandbox is furnished with special equipment like unmanned vehicles/ drones, 3D printers, Arduinos, sensors and other resources that pique students’ imaginaon and inspire ideaon. Aligned to our school’s mission to contribute back to society, the RGS digital curriculum is guided by the theme, “Technology for Good”. Under the guidance of teachers and instructors, students will turn their ideas into products that are useful to the community. The digital content is chosen based on its current relevance, range of potenal applicaons and future possibilies that impact the way we live, work and play. The infographic below shows the provisions for developing knowledge and skills in our students across their four years of study in RGS. The provisions are offered as enrichment modules to students on an opt-in basis. The Research Laboratory The Research Laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments to support science research studies. It houses a fluorescence LED microscope, an atomic absorpon spectrometer, a gel-imaging system, ultra-pure water systems, a refrigerated benchtop centrifuge, a -800 deep freezer and a plant growth chamber. The range of equipment allows students who are passionate about science and are able to work independently to embark on more sophiscated invesgaons under the guidance of their teachers. Design & Technology Studio The D&T curriculum fires the imaginaon of students as they go through the process of conceptualising and creang a product that is aesthecally pleasing and funconal, in response to an authenc design situaon. The D&T studio is the place where students turn their ideas into reality, be it in invenng a device to remind the elderly to take their medicaon or prototyping a watch powered by body heat. The studio is well-equipped with convenonal tools as well as digital fabricaon tools, such as the CNC Router and rapid cung machine. These tools support the full prototyping process of a product. Art Studios The Visual Arts curriculum is designed to develop students’ aesthec sensivity and crical thinking skills. A key aspect of our art instrucon is the emphasis on the Studio Habits of Mind. Students are encouraged to reflect, express, think crically and creavely. They apply creave thinking tools to generate and refine ideas and learn to communicate their ideas through 2D and 3D forms using a variety of materials and processes. The art studios are used for the Art and Design Programme, Special Art Programme (SAP) and Art Club. The studios are equipped with a ceramic kiln, a prinng press, studio photography lighngs and digital drawing tablets to support students’ exploraon of varied art forms ranging from animaon, film-making, ceramics-making and installaon to mixed-media presentaon. The art studios are also used as an exhibion space for our biennial Art Showcase by our SAP and Art Club students. Curang the works for the exhibion and transforming the space into an art gallery provide our students with valuable authenc learning experiences which they can apply to other plaorms such as our annual joint RGS-RI art exhibion for the public. Kitchens The Food and Design curriculum equips students with life-skills to lead a healthy life. Students learn to prepare food that is nutrious, tasty and visually appealing. They also conduct research and exercise creavity to prepare a personalised dish for a specific consumer. The kitchens have a comprehensive range of equipment to enable student experimentaon and familiarisaon of fundamental culinary skills. New technologies will be employed to enable greater efficiency and innovaon in food preparaon. The kitchens are also a place for understanding science in a real world context as scienfic principles and concepts are integrated into culinary skills. The table below shows how some of the concepts in science can be infused in Food and Design curriculum. Food and Design Concepts Science Concepts Cooking and Heat Transference Conducon, Convecon and Radiaon Food Safety and Preservaon Food-Borne Diseases Food Fermentaon Biotechnology Nutrion and Health Nutrients and Diet- Related Diseases Makerspace The Makerspace has tools and equipment that facilitate student agency in designing, prototyping and creang products that have real-world applicaon. Whilst the formal curriculum provides disciplinary grounding in knowledge and skills, the Makerspace provides opportunies for students to engage in engineering and nkering whilst applying what they have learned in the classroom. Four Tiers of Talent Development based on Donald Treffinger’s Levels of Service Framework. A view of the Innovaon Hub.
