For the first time, students will have a continual STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning programme from secondary school to the workplace. In a partnership between the NIE NTU, Singapore and the Temasek Foundation, the "Systemic Design of STEM Programme in Singapore" will provide applied and authentic STEM learning opportunities with an ecosystem of partnerships between schools, industries, and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). These partnerships will support connected and longer-term capacity-building of 130 students over the next three years.

Under the programme, STEM education and industry experts will support secondary three students from seven schools in developing STEM competencies and building their STEM portfolios. The portfolios will capture the students’ learning journey in conceptualising, implementing, and actualising their STEM projects. Students enrolled in the programme will progress from secondary to post-secondary, where they deepen their STEM knowledge through applied learning experiences in school, as well as via internships and attachments in STEM workplaces. Annex A illustrates a typical STEM progression map of a participant from secondary school to the workforce. Through this journey, participants acquire essential STEM competencies including content knowledge, ICT knowledge, meta knowledge (e.g. problem finding, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration) and humanistic knowledge (e.g. cultural sensitivity, social empathy, inclusive mindset).

Associate Professor Teo Tang Wee, co-head of meriSTEM@NIE shared their “aim to build a model of partnership that is sustainable in promoting STEM capital building for Singapore students. To achieve this, we have to be systematic and cohesive in rendering our expertise that support our students to succeed as future STEM leaders.”

Mr Stanley Lee, Senior Director at Temasek Foundation, said: “Every student should have access to quality STEM education that can prepare them for the future workplace. With this systematic STEM programme, we are supporting a collective and holistic STEM learning pathway for students’ learning. We have confidence that these core STEM competencies can help learners succeed in the workforce of the future."