Social Innovation (SI)
Our Social Innovation Projects
In Cedar, our students are mentored to develop social responsibility and a deeper understanding for the community beyond themselves through our Social Innovation Programme. They are encouraged to critically innovate and refine ideas and solutions to address the social issues identified. The process of developing and implementing their social innovation projects encourages and challenges them cognitively but also at a visceral level.
Our students are guided to develop their personal moral compass rooted in social and moral responsibility. Part of this development involves facilitating opportunities for our students to care for and be compassionate to others who may be different from them. Empathy is the integral foundation of a human-centred design process as one needs to understand the people whom one is designing for. In order to build empathy for common good, the students are consistently challenged and prompted to understand others through observation, engagement during interaction with specific target demographics and immersing themselves in the experiences of the people they are designing solutions for.
Students need to possess an open-minded attitude as their original ideas will undergo several iterations of modification after seeking feedback from their target demographics. Through the process of working on these projects, students will also learn to respect the perspectives of others as they work together in teams to build on each others strengths.
Cedar Social Innovation (CSI) is a special event held once every four years, where the whole school embarks on extended social innovation projects culminating in a day when the projects are executed and celebrated. This year’s event faced several constraints owing to Covid-19. Nevertheless, the school was able to mark our Social Innovation (SI) journey and achievements on 3 July. It was heartening to see how our students displayed perseverance and resilience in completing all their projects. There were many good quality projects and sales pitches that were highly commended by their organisations.
The four levels of classes were assigned different themes to work on:
Year 1 - Incalculating Olympic Values through sports
Year 2 - Tech for Good
Year 3 - Intergenerational learning
Year 4 - Climate change
Year 1 Incalculating Olympic Values through sports
We find it a pity that we could not interview the preschool teacher and carry out our games with the children. It would have been great if we interview the preschool teachers face to face and look at the way they respond to our questions. However, it was fun during the process for the prototype and brainstorming ideas.
Our project is a three legged race Relay race. There will be 4 stations (with 10 m gap) - hurdles, Cones (run zig-zag), crawling and for the final sprint, three legged race. All students would tie one of their legs together and they need to practice teamwork in order to reach the finishing line first. The winning team will win a goodie bag. To demonstrate the instructions, we have made mini figures of us.
Tech for good: Enlivening public spaces
2020, Sec 2I, Group 3: Mehak, Wanni, Gwyneth, Ashley, Thanmayi, Jechaele
Year 3 Intergenerational learning
Prototypes: Exercise video; Whatsapp (English), Whatsapp (Chinese)
2020, Sec 3O, Group 1: Jenna Lim, Nidhi Javali, Nashra Binte Ghazali, Lau Xin Jie Valerie, Choo En Hui Danielle, Hannah Noh
Prototypes:
Activity 1: Dance therapy
Activity 2: Exercise
Activity 3: Colouring, Video
Activity 4: Origami
Activity 5: Video(Android), Video(iPhone)
2020, Class Sec 3M
Year 4 Climate Change
Prototype: link
CSI Project with Southeast CDC
2020, Sec 4O, Group 1: Amber, Deborah, Jia Yui, Riya, Nicole, Ryanna & Joyce
2016
On 25th May 2016, Cedar embarked on a day of service, known as the Cedar Social Innovation Day with the theme of Connecting Communities. It was a day where the entire Cedar population was engaged in service activities and volunteerism to support the school’s vision in nurturing social innovators. It turned out to be a fruitful and fulfilling experience for both the students and teachers as they worked together to contribute back to the community.
The four levels of classes were assigned different themes to work on (Read on to view the projects and student reflections):
Level 1 - Play for Children
Level 2 - Kindness to the Community
Level 3 - Elderly
Level 4 - Anti-Littering Outreach (Story-Telling)
The Maker’s Clinic Workshop (1M)
Nur Syakirah Bte Osam (Group 7):
We had a blast during the 3 days of The Maker’s Clinic workshop and we learnt a lot throughout the sessions. Two of the pictures show our hard work making the prototype from scratch. The other picture is a combination of 3 groups that are going to the same organisation, Nurturing Roots. We were discussing the project at that time. It was definitely an experience making the prototype and doing discussions with my group. We came up with wonderful ideas that we think would capture the interest of the children from the kindergarten!
Dharsika Anathan:CSI thus far has been an enriching experience. It has definitely taught my group mates and I how to be an independent and courteous Cedarian. We have also learnt lifelong skills in the process of making our product. This CSI experience has definitely changed my outlook on life, mainly, on empathy. Through CSI I have learnt how to empathise. My group mates and I have come up with a product which will instil the value of teamwork in the nursery children we are going to be working with. Our product is an enlarged maze which requires the students to stand around the maze and manoeuvre so as to achieve a common goal: getting the ball to the other end of the maze.
Healthy Start Child Development Centre (2A)
Click the link to view 2A’s videos and audio for their project! :) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_7KiPanS_Gdby01TmgxZDdra28
Address: BLK 120 Bukit Merah View #01-04/06 Singapore 152120
About the organisation:
The organsiation provides early childhood programme for children below 6 years old whose developmental and learning needs have been hindered by their social disadvantages. These children would leave the programme ready for primary school and the Centre serves as a focal point that encourages the value of education as well as a culture of learning among the families of our children and within the neighbourhoods where they live.
The centre aims to provide a quality environment and a pre-school curriculum that nurtures children’s growth emotionally, socially, cognitively and physically. It is a warm and welcoming place that actively involves parents and care-givers to take an active interest in their children’s education.
Admission is strictly by invitation and based on the challenges faced by the family. Usually these would be children who are developmentally behind and would find it difficult in a large class. These children would benefit from an environment where there is a smaller teacher-student ratio and an Individualised Education Plan.The centre believes that parents are the first educators in their children’s lives. Regardless of their backgrounds, they play key roles in their children’s education and the centre will create opportunities for them to lead, problem solve, make decisions and contribute towards the goals of the school.
Regular dialogues and activities are conducted to strengthen co-operation between teachers and parents so that children will experience the significant adults in their lives as people who take an active interest in their education and development.
Stage 1: Interview/Empathy
In February, together with our Form Teacher, we recced HSC Development Centre & interviewed the Principal, Ms Sua Swee Lee. The student leaders raised the interview questions and overall it was a fruitful session as we got to know the orgnaisation better and it enabled us to better plan the activities more efficiently. We learnt about the problems or challenges faced by organisation/beneficiary of organisation. Org provides pre-sch academic foundation, social & emotional support, inculcate values eg perseverance, due to their socially disadvantaged home background. When they move on to pri sch, they are unlikely to perform as well as mainstream.
Interview Questions on 16/2 with Principal Ms Sua Swee Lee
1. What are the past activities that have been conducted that the children enjoyed?
2. What values do you want our activities to inculcate in the children?
3. How well do the children interact with one another?
4. Are there any specific children who require special attention?
5. What are some special safety precautions you recommend us to take?
6. Is photography allowed in the centre when we are carrying out our activities
The Principal of the childcare centre, explaining to the student leaders about the proposed activities and how the class can better cater to the needs of the organisation and direct the activities more towards the children at the childcare.
The student leaders scanned the surroundings and artefacts. This information was then relayed to the rest of the class so that the activities planned are able to meet the organisation’s needs.
Stage 2: (See table below)
Class 2A will embark on different fun and engaging activities demonstrating the theme of Kindness for children aged 2-6. The activities include interactive role play demonstrating acts of kindness, sing and dance, leaf printing/origami craft making, followed by a sharing/reflection.
It is our hope that the children can exhibit acts of kindness in their everyday lives.These activities will benefit the organisation as the children will learn to be kind and pass it on, showing kindness even after the class visit to the organisation.
Prototypes, props and scripts with story line are drawn up. Everyone plays an active role, rehearsing, drafting and prototyping.
Stage 3:
The class is split into groups of five, with each group conducting a different activity at the organisation.
Group 1 @Bay 1 (2 -3 year old)
Group 2 @Bay 2 ( 4-6 year old)
The activities are held concurrently, Group 1 manned by 10 students, Group 2 manned by 20 students. Child Care Centre Caregivers & 2 FTs are around to supervise. 2 Student leaders will serve as photographer & reporter. The centre allow us to capture the children in action,and we will in return send photos to the organizer. Sharing of photos are allowed for our school’s internal use.
We are advised not to use the handphone as its distracting for the children. Cedarians will be told to keep handphones between 9.00 – 12.00pm
Language & Decorum
Adopt Patience, use firm but gentle tone, repeat instructions, speak slowly, clearly.
Use Positive words & encouragement, rather than DON’T do This or That
Use Simple Instructions ( don’t’ put things in the mouth)
Names & Roles of Group Members / Exco
CSI with 3M!
How did your class conduct the activity?
A mass exercise and dance session was organised for the old folks as an ice-breaker activity. Thereafter the class split into 3 groups to set up 3 stations for the old folks. The 3 stations are: 1. Traditional Games like marbles and five stones. 2.Colouring. 3. Origami.
What are the responses from the organization /community that your class is serving?
The responses are positive and the old folks enjoyed our company. The participation rate is also higher as compared to the normal routine run by the centre. Some old folks asked when are we returning so that they can see us again, and that what we would be doing when we come back.
How does your class feel about the outcome of their project?
We have met the objective of bringing joy to the residents at the home.
What have the class learnt, collectively?
During our reflection, we have learnt that it is our responsibility to take care of our parents and even grandparents. Also we should spend more time with our family members and especially our grandparents. There were some regrets that we did not spend more time with our grandparents when they were still around. It is also important to work together with our friends so that we can carry out our plans effectively. Also, we should always adapt to the situation and make impromptu decisions to solve any unforeseen problems that arise during the execution of our plans. In all, it was a heart-warming and fulfilling activity.
Watch their video here!! : https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_7KiPanS_GdTmZIVVdMdEpOcGM
CSI - Connecting Communities on 25 May!
How did your class conduct the activity?
For some activities, such as The 3 Booths in the K2 class, we conducted them by separating the children into smaller groups, in order to make it easier to give them instructions and make it easier to manage them. Also, we made use of colourful pictures and props in order to capture their attention. There were also several hands-on activities to make them more interesting, and to allow the children to be better engaged in them. For those activities that were not hands-on, such as the storytelling, they were instead made to be interactive, with questions posed toward the children.
What are the responses from the organisation/community that your class is serving?
The organisation was very welcoming, and the responses from the children were all very warm. They truly enjoyed the activities, and showed great understanding in the lessons taught through the activities conducted. When asked to share their learnings for the day, they all demonstrated environmental awareness as they pointed out how they should not litter, and how dirtying the environment would bring about several unwanted impacts.
How does your class feel about the outcome of their project?
We feel really happy being able to interact with the children and to be able to personally teach them more about the environment. However, we did feel that we could have been better prepared in order to make our project more effective. We could have prepared more activities as the activities we conducted proceeded faster than we expected, and it resulted in several pauses in between activities as we thought about what we could do. Thankfully, we were able to overcome this difficulty by giving them impromptu activities like drawing and colouring.
What have the class learnt, collectively?
As a class, we have gained many valuable skills, some of which includes organising such events, and effectively communicating with the children. We also feel that this project is really a meaningful one, and it gives us a sense of fulfilment, as we turn away from our studies and are able to contribute back to society. Therefore, we have learnt how to better appreciate such activities, and we have also learnt how placing lesser focus on our academics at certain times to do such meaningful events can actually be very rewarding.
Idea and Innovation from 4P!
What activity has your class planned?As the organisation has allowed us to plan our own schedules for the different classes, our class has planned 3 timetables for the 3 classes, with all of them including a 20 minute snack break for the children.
Programme for Nursery
8.45: Start of programme
Start of skit regarding Responsible Roy and Stubborn Stacy.
Resources/Remarks:
Skit is centered around Stubborn Stacy and Responsible Roy conversing with their grandparents, where the grandparents shed light on air pollution that contemporary modes of modes of transport cause.
8.45-10.00:
Carrying out of skit and evaluation of skit, where we explain to them why we should care about the environment.
10.00-11.00:
Carry out handicraft session, where students make modes of transport, such as cars and buses, out of recycled materials.
11:00-11.15:
Debrief and closure.
Programme for K1 - Outdoor Learning Journey around the Neighbourhood
8.40-9.00:
Start of programme.
Briefing the kids about the LJ.
Prepare the kids for outdoor LJ.
Objectives: (to be confirmed)
9.00-10.30:
Start of skit regarding Responsible Roy and Stubborn Stacy.
It will be done during LJ in musical form.
10.30-11:15
teach them to clean up after themselves, keeping the community clean walk back
11.00-11.15:
Debrief and closure.
Programme for K2
8.40 - 8.50:
Start of programme.
Introduction + brief introduction to environmental awareness (Questions will be asked)
8.50 - 9.00:
Briefing on ‘The 3 Booths’
9.00 - 9.30:
The 3 Booths
21 students split into 3 groups, 2 classmates per group, the rest will help out with 3 booths.
There will be one booth at one group at a time. Each booth will have to stamp the card after the task is completed. Collect all 3 stamps and meet us at the (assembly place - certain corner in class). Fastest feet wins!
Booths:
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Learn a cheer and the louder the better. Only stamp when you’re satisfied and they’ve learnt it well. Cheer below the table.
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Children will be given pictures of rubbish and they will sort into recyclables and non and into ‘bins’ of different colours. Sort it correctly and they get a stamp
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Question and answer. You have to answer all 3 questions right to be able to get a stamp
Resources/Remarks
- A cheer
- Printed pictures of rubbish and ‘bins’
- List of Q & As
- Prizes eg sweets
- Paper, stamps, or we can use our signature as stamps.
9.50 - 10.20
Start of skit regarding Responsible Roy and Stubborn Stacy.
Resources/Remarks:
Costumes:
- Recycled cape
- Cute hair band
- White coat
- Fake doctor thing
- Labels for different characters
- Dog leash (Lanyard worn backwards)
- Dog ears
- Cap
Props:
- Rubbish (Rubbish collected from previous activities/Pieces of paper)
10.20 -10.35
Making of Shakers
1) Give out materials (10.15am)
2) Short briefing (10.20am)
- Tell them to listen closely to the instructions
3) Step-by-step demonstration and students follow (10.25am)
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Place the green beans in the bottles ¼ full
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Cover the opening of the bottle with the paper
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Tape it over using the scotch tape
4) Pick up dropped beans
(10.35am)
*Things to take note: Make sure they do not eat the green beans
Resources/Remarks
- Vitagen bottles
- Green beans
- Small cut-out papers
- Scotch tape
10.35 - 11.00
Song Singing
1) Teach songs to children (tune+ lyrics) (10.38am)
- Main Song we are learning is ‘Singapore town’
2) Teach them hand actions (10.45)
3) Performance (10.58 am)
Resources/Remarks
- Shaker from previous activity
- Writing of lyrics on big sheet of paper
11.00 - 11.15
Debrief and closure.
How does this benefit the organisation/community that your class is serving?
We made sure to include their activities that can satisfy their needs, and tried to tailor them according to the given themes for each class. For example, as mentioned earlier, the theme for the K2 class would be ‘Singapore - My Discovery of the World’, and thus, we incorporated a song-singing activity, and chose the song to be ‘Singapore Town’. As such, we can both teach the children about Singapore, and about loving the environment. When the students learn how to love the environment, they will then also be able to take more ownership and do their part in protecting the environment. This has a long term benefit for the community, as these students will eventually be the ones who lead Singapore, and it is important for us to have people who love the country as leaders of our country.
What preparation needs to be done?
In order to ensure that the activities planned run smoothly, we will need to ensure that all materials needed are prepared before we visit the childcare centre. Also, we will need to rehearse our skit to make sure that we can keep the children entertained. More visitations to childcare centre may also need to be made, in order for us to be able
Kolam Ayer PAP Education Centre
Our class 4 P, will be helping out at a childcare centre, Kolam Ayer PAP Education Centre. There are a total of 3 classes; the nursery, kindergarten 1 (K1) and kindergarten 2 (K2) classes.
1) For the concept of ‘Protecting out Environment’ to be introduced to the children:
Our class feels that it can be difficult to introduce recycling to children, especially so at such a young age. Therefore, we want to help the child-care centre to do so, using the books “Responsible Roy” and “Stubborn Stacy”. We hope to help the children grasp the importance of protecting our environment through little things we may do in our daily life an we want to be able to engage the children so that they will enjoy the process of learning this important concept.
2) For our activities to correspond to their given themes: