Speech by Minister Desmond Lee at Sony Creative Science Awards (SCSA) 2022 Ceremony

Nov 8, 2022

Thank you for inviting me to be part of this special occasion, where we celebrate the accomplishment of every student here today. And I dare say, to all the parents as well as the teachers – to the award winners, their successes are as much as yours. When I arrived, I was so immersed in the exhibition, engaging the students and asking them the science principles that help in their invention of the toy, and I was also speaking to the parents on how they encouraged their children to turn what they learn in textbook to reality. I also saw how the teachers were nurturing and guiding the students – I felt very encouraged.

Toys have really changed since I was a child. As I was looking at the exhibition and watching the video, I thought to myself – what was I doing at that age? Back then, we didn’t have computers and there were no digital devices. We were not immersed in cyberspace and metaverse, but out in the open playing with neighbours. For us, it was playing with bottle caps – where we had a “champion bottle cap” that we used to capture the opponent. Same goes for erasers with flags of nations and territories around the world. Thinking back – it was a lot of fun. I’m sure these resonates with all the parents here today as well. When we went out to the canals, we get to witness biology and lifecycle of plants and animals – all these, without us realising, was science and learning in action.

Today, we see our future-scientists and aspiring-innovators with many fascinating inventions that I, and many of us here, would never have thought of when we were at their age. But the power of toys remains the same. They fascinate us on the possibilities, allowing us, whatever our age, to push beyond the limits of our creativity and imagination, explore new boundaries and universes, and learn about the world around us. Such is the power of toys, and why play is so important.

A dynamic system: Bringing textbook learning to the outside world

Our students’ learning experiences have evolved tremendously over the decades. From one that relied more on textbook learning in the earlier days, to one that brings together both in-classroom and out-of-classroom learning. And I must salute all the teachers – your jobs are getting tougher but you are inspiring so many more children through your dedication and your extra efforts. These kind of in- and out-of-classroom study and learning is very much needed in the 21st century, as we strive to remain relevant, adaptable, and agile in the competitive world. As parents, I’m sure you want the best for your children, and arm them with the capabilities to thrive in the future.

Initiatives such as the toy-making competition are excellent platforms for our students to express their creativity, and get their hands dirty through design and experimentation – to fail, fail again, and ultimately succeed. Through the toy competition, students would need to apply textbook concepts to real-world applications. Today it’s a toy, but tomorrow, they will invent things we would have never thought of, to solve problems that we face today. By teaching students in this way, they don’t see problems – they see challenges and opportunities to apply their learning and also put in their heart and soul to tackle challenges to make life better for people, whatever their abilities, and to solve the challenges that the world and our societies face. I’m sure, with this spirit, they will be able to help solve – not just Singapore – but the world’s difficulties. 

To Sony and Science Centre – thank you for the wonderful, quarter century of collaboration and I wish you all many more decades of working together. Thank you for doing this successfully in a fun and relatable way. Students are free to express themselves, and explore topics that are interesting to them.

For instance, Primary 3 student Yap Shee Yinn Melody from Fernvale Primary School, who will be receiving the Merit Award under the WhizKid category, created a toy called “Coffee’s Museum”, inspired by her pet hamster “Coffee”. The toy displays fun facts about hamsters, their lifecycle, and comprises a cylinder which can be spun, very much like a hamster wheel – where she got her idea from by fiddling with it, learning about it, and apply it. 

A Determined Generation: Where learning never stops

Out-of-classroom learning experience – like this competition – can also spark enthusiasm and expose students to the joys of discovery. We really want our children to just love learning and love discovering things. I encourage everyone to continue to fan this spark and push on with this spirit of curiosity and ingenuity. Learning does not stop after the competition.

I am encouraged by Primary 6 student Chia Weite Ty from Kong Hwa School – whom I met earlier – who created a magnetic shooting toy last year. He returned this year with an upgraded version of his creation, as he continues to explore his passion for magnetism. I see science in action and certainly an engineer in the making.

To our students, as you push the boundaries of learning, I’m sure you will face some setbacks and disappointments. Perhaps it was a robot that did not operate the way that it was intended. Or an experiment that produce disappointing results. But don’t be discouraged! This competition is also about determination. It is precisely this spirit of daring to try, going beyond the classroom and explore, and of trial and error, that will help you to learn how to be tenacious, to troubleshoot problems, and identify innovative workarounds and solutions. Ultimately, you will succeed.

Our Dedicated Teachers: A firm foundation in the midst of change

While systems of education and teaching adapt to the winds of change, our teachers will continue to form the firm foundation of our education journey.

So, as we celebrate our students today, let’s not forget our teachers, whose hard work, dedication and passion have been and will always be every student’s shining light. To our teachers, many of you have stepped up, beyond your call of duty, to encourage and guide your students every step of the way throughout this competition.

We recognise these efforts by the Blue Ribbon and Diamond Awards. You have been exemplary in moulding the next generation of creative and critical thinkers.

For example, Diamond Award recipients like Mdm Joyce Lim and Mr Darren Wong were two of the many teachers who had put in extra hours to assist students from their school in their toy-making journey for several years. And I would imagine, if you nurture students to this ability, you are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you to all our teachers!

Conclusion

Before I conclude, I would like to commend the organisers, Science Centre Singapore, Sony Group of Companies in Singapore, and colleagues from the Ministry of Education, for their dedication and commitment in providing this platform for our students to learn through creation and experimentation for the last quarter century.

I would also like to applaud all schools, teachers, parents and grandparents for their participation, without whom this competition would not have grown so phenomenally, and without whom we would not see alumni willing to come back decades later. You have all played a vital role and will continue to be instrumental in sculpting our next generation of creative and unique inventors, of capable, bright Singaporeans who will help Singapore go strong for many decades.

Lastly, congratulations to all the winners of the Sony Creative Science Award! I hope the joy of creation will keep your spirit of ingenuity burning and inspire you to continue to build, create, solve, and make this world a better place.

Thank you.