MOE – Empire Code Education Blog

CODING & ROBOTICS COURSES

Pre-Schoolers (Ages 3-6) Lower Primary (Ages 7-9) Upper Primary (Ages 10-12) Teenagers (Ages 13-19)

MATH COURSES

Pre-Schoolers (Ages 3-6) Upper Primary (Ages 7-11)

SCIENCE COURSES

Lower Primary (Ages 7-9) Upper Primary (Ages 10-12)

CAMPS

Holiday Coding Camps

DSA

DSA Programme

techMBA

techMBA Programme

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

Coder of the Month Girls Who Can Code

CERTIFICATIONS

Badges and Certifications

BLOG

Blog by Felicia Chua

NEWS

Read All About It

COMPETITIONS

Join our Competitions

ESCAPE ROOM

Select Adventure

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Party Packages

PARENTS ACCOUNT

Parents Portal Loyalty App
blog-img

Category: MOE

Benefits of Joining Competitive Robotics Competitions

Robotics plays a pivotal role in today’s technological landscape, streamlining tasks and paving the way for innovative solutions. From household robots to robotic arms used in surgery, robotics is revolutionizing how we interact with the world. This blog outlines four main benefits that competitive robotics competitions offer to primary school children, emphasizing the essential skills they cultivate for their character development, technical skills, and also for future secondary school DSA applications.

1. Master Engineering and Programming Skills

Robotics is not just about building with LEGO; it combines engineering skills and coding skills to create a moving robot that you can control to perform certain tasks more efficiently. At Empire Code, we use LEGO SPIKE Essentials and LEGO SPIKE Prime in our robotics classes, where students learn about different types of sensors, motors, gyro movement, and coding specific to robotics. Once students learn the basic robotics and coding skills, they can apply what they have learned in competitive robotics competitions. These competitions offer hands-on experience with technology, fostering technical skills alongside creativity and critical thinking. Such competitions usually require students to build an autonomous robot that can solve as many missions in a playfield within a given time (usually 2-3 minutes). Hence, students need to strategize in building their base robots and attachments, coding it to move fast and efficiently, and strategizing their game plan so that it can solve a few missions within a few moves. Through such competitions, children grasp the intricacies of how things work, nurturing their technical skills especially in engineering and programming.

2. Enhancing Collaboration and Teamwork

In robotics competitions, students are usually grouped in teams of 2-5, fostering collaboration. Participants engage in team-based challenges, honing their abilities to lead, communicate, coordinate, and collaborate effectively. During these robotics competitions, each student also has specific parts to present and roles to play during the robot games. This collaborative environment allows students to learn vital life skills including time management, emotional regulation, and leadership. The journey through robotics competitions is one of mutual learning and respect, with each team member contributing to and benefiting from the collective effort.

3. Cultivating Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking

At the heart of robotics is the development of problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Students will inevitably face problems along the way, such as the robot not working as expected or the codes having errors. Hence, children will need to approach the problems methodically, breaking them down into manageable parts and applying logical reasoning to create effective solutions to solve problems. This discipline teaches them that there are numerous ways to solve a problem, promoting flexibility in thought and the courage to experiment. In robotics and programming, failure is not a setback but also a stepping stone to innovation, empowering students to be open to everyone’s ideas and embrace challenges together.

4. Increasing Chances of a Successful DSA Application

In an era where STEM education is increasingly recognized for its importance, early exposure to robotics provides children with a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If your child is interested in robotics and STEM, you can consider applying them to secondary schools under these specific DSA tracks. Joining robotics competitions will help your child (1) discover their passion for robotics and STEM and (2) increase their chances of a successful DSA application, as they can showcase their skills and dedication to these talent tracks to potential schools.

In conclusion, competitive robotics competitions offer many benefits, and children develop a myriad of skills that are crucial for future success, including technical skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. Moreover, the experience gained from robotics competitions is invaluable for DSA applications, highlighting a child’s commitment to and proficiency in such disciplines. By encouraging participation in competitive robotics, we are not only fostering a generation of tech-savvy individuals but also paving the way for their bright futures.

The two main national robotics competitions that you can consider for your child are (1) FIRST LEGO League Explore and Challenge and (2) National Robotics Competition. Such competitions have both lower and upper primary age categories, so your child as young as 7 can get his/her first robotics competition experience through these competitions. To find out more details on how competitions increase their chances of getting in through DSA robotics/STEM/innovation, you can contact our friendly consultant for a DSA consultation and plan out your child’s learning journey together.

Click on other categories below to view previous articles that may be of interest:

Title: Integrating Coding and Robotics in Singapore’s Education System: A Comparative Study

Digital literacy is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. As technology and AI continue to shape our job landscapes, having a foundation in computational thinking becomes crucial for future employability. Due to the emergence of technology-related fields such as Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, the global interest in integrating computational thinking and programming into academia has surged in the past few years. This article explores Singapore’s approach to integrating coding and robotics across various educational levels, highlighting their strategies and initiatives.

Comparison with Other Countries

Countries such as England, Finland, Japan, and Korea have made computational thinking skills and programming compulsory in education. England, for example, is one of the first countries to integrate programming into its K-12 curriculum through programs that train students to create simple programs to achieve specific goals, for example. In contrast, Singapore strategically introduces CT skills at various stages, focusing on fostering interest rather than mandatory education.

Coding Education in Singapore


In response to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, various programs have been implemented to integrate programming at different education levels. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) introduced the Playmaker initiative, engaging preschoolers in CT through electronic toys like Beebot, Circuit Stickers, and Kibo.

After-school enrichment programs in some preschools use hands-on activities with tools like ScratchJr, Kubo, and Cubetto. For primary schools, IMDA’s Code For Fun Enrichment program exposes students to visual programming tools and robotics in workshops like Scratch, Micro:bit, and Minecraft coding. Primary schools offer computing-related CCAs, such as robotics or infocomm clubs, which aim to foster students’ skills in these areas. They also provide opportunities for students to represent their schools in national coding and robotics competitions such as FIRST LEGO League (FLL) or Coding Olympics (organized by Science Centre). At the secondary school level, they offer computing-related CCAs, Applied Learning Programs (ALPs), and ‘O’ level computing, focusing on Python programming and computational thinking. Currently, 15% of secondary schools are offering computing as an ‘O’ level subject.

Singapore’s Approach in Computing

Unlike countries making coding education compulsory, Singapore adopts an opt-in model, allowing schools to decide on CT programs based on students’ needs. Teachers continuously undergo training to guide students in CT and programming. Primary and secondary students have Direct School Admission tracks in various computation related areas such as coding, robotics, STEM, innovation and infocomm, encouraging them to apply to top schools even before the PSLE, alleviating the stress of the PSLE exams. In Polytechnics, there is also the Early Admission Program (EAE) for polytechnics that allows secondary students to apply through their portfolios.

Benefits of Learning Computational Thinking

Computational thinking is widely applicable in math, science, and social science. According to a survey by IMDA, ‘O’ level computing students mentioned that they can apply problem-solving skills learned in computing to real-life situations, breaking down problems into manageable parts. Learning CT enhances creativity as students actively engage in designing and making projects, gaining confidence in problem-solving and creating based on their ideas.

Summary

In conclusion, Singapore uniquely integrates programming in school education, focusing on generating interest and providing diverse learning experiences from an early age. Parents can expose their kids to coding and robotics, potentially benefiting their education and future opportunities. By allowing schools to opt into CT programs and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Singapore aims to build a future-ready workforce with necessary digital literacy skills.

If you’re interested in trying out coding and robotics for your child, or want to find out more about our competitions and DSA program, contact our friendly consultants in Empire Code through WhatsApp. For MOE teachers seeking vendors for programming workshops or competition training for ALP/Code For Fun/ad-hoc school workshops, visit our MOE workshop page for a free consultation and view our track record.

Sources:
(1) https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-6528-7_19#:~:text=Unlike%20countries%20like%20Finland%2C%20England,ages%2C%20as%20shown%20in%20Fig.

(2) https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/blog/blog-articles/archived/2017/11/computational-thinking-for-every-student#:~:text=Distilled%20down%20to%20its%20most,or%20a%20human%20following%20instructions.

Benefits of Competitions for Direct School Admission in Singapore

In Singapore, the Direct School Admission (DSA) Program gives primary 6 students a head start to gain admission to popular secondary schools, prior to the PSLE examinations. Different secondary schools seek admission through talent areas outside of academic performance such as arts, music, coding and robotics. Examples of popular secondary schools that offer DSA under coding, robotics, innovation, infocomm and STEM are HwaChong Institution, St. Joseph Institution, Nanyang Girls’ Secondary School, Methodist Girls’ High and many more.

If you are looking to start building your child’s DSA portfolio, one aspect that plays a crucial role in the DSA application process are competitions. Participating in various national and international competitions offer various benefits that increase students’ chances of success, whilst contributing to character development, and growth of soft skills. In this article, we will explore some advantages of competitions for Direct School Admissions application in Singapore.

1)Showcasing Talents and Achievements

Competitions train students to think beyond the classroom and provide a platform for them to use what they have learnt in the classroom to real-world challenges. In all fields, competitions allow students to demonstrate their abilities and talents. DSA schools look for students who stand out from others, therefore, participating in many competitions shows the level of achievement and dedication the child has in that particular field. If the child wins the competition, it will also significantly enhance the student’s profile during the shortlisting process.

2)Encouraging Skill and Character Growth

Competitions offer an excellent opportunity for students to develop and refine a wide range of skills. For example, in normal robotics classes, students understand the basics of building and coding a robot, or complete tasks such as line following and many more. In national competitions, students are challenged to use these skills that they have learnt and create a robot that can effectively solve several missions within a limited time period. Furthermore, competitions enhance critical thinking, effective problem solving, communication and teamwork. This development of soft skills are not only important for academic success but also personal growth.

3)Increased Self-Confidence and Exposure to Healthy Competition

Competing in various competitions expose students to healthy competition and prepares them for challenges they may face in the academic and working world. It teaches them how to handle pressure, manage their emotions and perform under stress. By engaging in competitions, students learn how to set their own goals and achieve them. Furthermore, coding and robotics competitions usually require students to present their work in front of panelists. This allows students to refine their public speaking and presentation skills, which are crucial during DSA interviews. Students who participate in various competitions will experience both victories and failures. Over time, they will learn how to handle victories, gain self esteem, and also handle failures and build resilience. Such skills will develop a student both academically and personally. 

In conclusion, competitions play a crucial role in the DSA exercise as they help to showcase students’ talents beyond the classroom. This helps to increase their chances of success to secure a spot in a desired school. Furthermore, competitions also give students invaluable life skills, develop resilience and time management. These skills and experiences will definitely help them during their DSA interviews as well. They can use the experiences that they have learnt in competitions to showcase both technical and soft skills. Lastly, the soft skills that students learn from joining competitions will also help them to prepare for the working world.

If you’re looking to enroll your child for competitions, whether it’s for his/her DSA portfolio or for the educational experience, check out our 2023 and 2024 competitions here.

A Parent’s Guide to DSA – How to Prepare Your Kids Better for Secondary School Applications

Does your child have a talent or interest for sports, music, leadership or coding? The Direct School Admission Programme might be the key pathway to expand your child’s talent and get into specialized schools at the same time. It allows students to apply to secondary schools based on outstanding performance in both academic or non-academic talent areas (eg. sports, music, etc.). Schools that are under the DSA track offer special clubs to cater to the students’ talent areas and foster their growth. Whether it is through weekly training, or representing the school in competitions, the schools provide DSA students with various opportunities to grow and compete in both national and international competitions. 

Furthermore, with the implementation of the new PSLE scoring system, the DSA route has proved to be a popular choice amongst parents. Due to the rising competition amongst PSLE students to secure a slot in their preferred secondary schools, parents are more likely to opt for the DSA scheme. Here are the 5 primary things you need to know about the DSA programme:

How do you prepare your kids better for DSA applications?

The best advice that we can give is to start planning early. If your child is considering applying to a secondary school via the DSA route, it is better to start planning and compiling his/her portfolio early. DSA is not just an accumulation of certificates and result slips, but it is a proper compilation of different school and non-school related achievements, competitions and projects. In 2022, out of 37,095 students sitting for PSLE, there were 31,800 DSA applications from 12,200 students, across talent areas with 3,900 successfully getting their secondary school slots. Hence, DSA applications should be carefully prepared in order to increase your child’s chances to go to his/her preferred secondary schools. 

Through the Empire Code DSA program, we offer DSA preparation programme in areas such as coding, robotics, STEM, innovation and many more. Our programme consists of creating a customized roadmap for your child, 1 to 1 consultations, progress reports, portfolio compilation, student testimonies and so forth. The school’s program aims to ensure that students are well prepared before they apply for DSA in Primary 6. The DSA application journey is also designed to ensure that students enjoy and have fun learning through the process as well. If interested, contact us here to register for a free DSA consultation. 

The Urgent Call From The School Teacher

empire code at catholic high school teaching micro:bit

I don’t often receive urgent calls from a school teacher so early in the morning, but I did get one from a Catholic High School (CHS) teacher. 

Let me digress with a brief background of the events leading up to the call.

Over the past 2 days, six of our Empire Code Education trainers have been conducting micro:bit & science workshops for Primary 3 pupils at CHS, using what we call a “Hybrid classroom” mode. What’s this? It involves one trainer teaching via Zoom with another trainer assisting the pupils in the classroom. This was in place due to the priority of CHS management and staff to protect their students from Covid-19. Yes, it’s “thanks” to Covid 🦠🦠 again! The hybrid classroom would keep pupils safe, by minimizing their contact with external instructors, and understandably so, the safety of our own Empire Code students is top on our priority list too!

Don’t get me wrong. Our team has conducted MULTIPLE successful sessions using both online and hybrid classroom modes since the pandemic. The coding workshops at CHS are different and consist mainly of challenging science experiments. Thus, students require more attention and hands-on involvement from our trainers. For example, students have to test which material enables a micro:bit car to move at the fastest speed. The pupils get to create their own encryption device from scratch! How I wish I were a student again…

CHS school teachers have tried their best to help and we truly appreciate that, but there are limits to how much they can help since they are unfamiliar with the micro:bit coding platform: Microsoft Makecode.

After two days of intense pressure on both trainers and teachers of CHS (which tested our capacities to adapt), I am super relieved (as are all parties involved) to hear that the school principal has agreed to make an exception for our workshops, and allow all our trainers to be physically present in classrooms moving forwards.  🙏🏻🙏🏻