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Crime Scene Investigation

The ALP is intended to help students appreciate the relevance and value of academic subjects (e.g. Social Science, Mathematics) to the real world in order to develop stronger motivation and purpose for acquiring knowledge and skills. The emphasis is on the application of thinking skills, integrating knowledge across subject disciplines, stretching the imagination and applying these in real-world settings in society and industries. Some focus areas can include Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Languages, Social Sciences, Business & Entrepreneurship and Life Skills.

Encouraged by the positive responses from the July 2018 Taster Modules, the school will roll out 6 learning modules under the ALP in Semester 1 of 2019. Synopses and outlines of these modules can be found under the “2019 Modules” tab. Students who opted for the ALP can use these information to select their desired modules in January 2019.

2020 Sem 1 ALP Schedule

For any queries, please feel free to email Mr Wu Derui @ wu_derui@cchm.edu.sg.

App Design & Creation

Synopsis

Ever dreamed of publishing a mobile app in iTunes or Google Play? Then wait no more! This module aims to introduce students to design innovation. With the help of MIT App Inventor, an interactive programming interface perfect for beginners at coding, this class will task the participants to come up with creative solutions to solve problems they observe around them! The coursework will involve learning the software, creating a mobile application on it and also understanding the entire process of design thinking, a technique which requires the inventor/designer to truly understand the problem before beginning to ideate on a solution.

Outline

Session 1 [2 hours]

• Introduction to computational thinking

• Overview of mobile app development workflow

• Navigating the user interface of MIT App Inventor

• Coding their first game app

• Downloading the app on a smartphone

Session 2 [2 hours]

• Introduction to variables

• Event-based programming

• Detecting touch-based inputs

• Calculating & displaying a score text

• Importing media

Session 3 [2 hours]

• Introduction to human-centred design approach

• Interview one another to discover challenges in everyday life

• Learn about problem framing

• Rapid ideation & wireframing of app prototypes

• Understand the importance of user feedback & iteration

Session 4 [2 hours]

• Demo of relevant code components based on students’ ideas

• Work in pairs to develop their app prototype

• Describe their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and their scope of work across the next 2 sessions

Session 5 [2 hours]

• Review the apps with teams and get them to test with other students to get feedback

• Document the feedback and iterate their app design & features

Session 6 [2 hours]

• Demo of how to pitch an app

• Prepare a pitch deck/website to showcase their app design journey and their final app prototype

Crime Scene Investigation

A Look into Forensic Science

Synopsis

Forensic Science is the application of scientific theories in the resolution of legal disputes. The use of scientific concepts is of value here because of the ability of this subject nature to provide reliable, pertinent and mostly definitive information about a given case. In this module, students will learn to appreciate the basic principles behind forensic science, such as preservation and processing a crime scene, analysis of trace and contact evidence, and an introduction to the legal processes involved in forensic science. Students will also get to go for a learning journey to the Supreme Court of Singapore and take a look at how litigation cases are tried in Singapore.

Outline

Session 1 [2 hours]

Introduction to Forensic Science

• Basic ideas surrounding Forensic Science

• Locard’s Exchange Principle

• Basics of processing a crime scene

Analysis of Evidence

• Eye witness – Facial biometrics

Session 2 [2 hours]

Analysis of Evidence

• Fingerprints

• Forensic Chemistry

  • Indicators

  • Iodine fuming

  • Magnetic and fluorescent powders

Briefing on Project Work Task

• Students will research on a particular forensic technique and present on a real case that involved the use of that technique to crack.

Session 3 [2 hours]

Analysis of Evidence

• Blood spatter analysis and blood typing

• Traces of blood

  • Leuco Crystal Violet

  • Luminol

• DNA Analysis

  • DNA extraction and profiling

Session 4 [2 hours]

Analysis of Evidence

• Yaw and skid marks

• Fabric analysis

  • Microscopic examination

  • Burning test

  • Staining

  • Introduction to refractive indices of fabrics

Forensic Law

• Introduction to the Evidence Act

• Collection of evidence

• Hearsay Rule

• Corroboration

• Opinion evidence

• Burden of proof

Session 5 [3 hours]

Forensic Law and Sharing by Scientists

• Learning journey with Forensic Experts Group, Singapore

Session 6 [2 hours]

Student Presentations

• Each group of 3-4 students will be given 5-7 minutes to present their research findings with peer evaluation (rubrics provided), and 2-3 minutes for Q&A by teachers and peers.

Forensic Science in Singapore

• Introduction to Attorney General’s Chambers, Health Sciences Authority Forensic Science Division and Singapore Police Force Crime Investigation Department

• Examples of real cases in Singapore and the part Forensic Science played in the investigation process

Student survey and reflections

• Students will be asked to reflect on the key learning points of the course and provide feedback for future use.

e-Entrepreneurship

Synopsis

The main objective of this module is to equip students with an understanding on the knowledge and skills to be an entrepreneur. This module aims to provide both theory, as well as hands-on activities where students can experience the decision-making processes through the development of a business plan. Through experiential learning in an authentic setting, it is hoped that students would have greater insights on the various considerations and skill sets required for a successful entrepreneur in this fast-paced and changing world. Case studies relevant to the module discussion to deepen their understanding will also be structured as part of students’ learning. At the end of the module, students are to present their business plan to a panel for further improvement. For projects/business plans with a social cause, the project can be further submitted for funding consideration.

Outline

Survival Craft

Synopsis

This module aims to equip students with the competencies and dispositions for survival in situations where little or no access to resources critical to sustenance of life (e.g. trapped in a forest) is available. In the urban setting, the competencies and skills would enable one to improvise innovatively and adapt to the environment. Join this module to learn a wide array of skills like survival planning, field medicine, water filtration, making shelters and fire, etc. in a fun and authentic way, like you have never done before!

Outline

Session 1 (1.5 hours): Tinder Preparation and Starting a Fire

• Using Fire Steel/ Magnesium Rod as Starter and Cotton Dressing Pads as Tinder

• Using Regular 9V Battery as Starter and Cotton Dressing Pads as Tinder

Session 2 (1.5 hours): Improvised shelters with basic knots and lashings

• The wedge

• The wing

• The A-frame

Session 3 (120 mins): Food Preparation

• Sourcing for food

• Determining if fruits/ leaves are edible

• Outdoor cooking

Session 4 (2 Hours): Basic First Aid and Improvised Stretchers with Evacuation Techniques

Session 5 (2+ hours): Application of Skills

Session 6 (2+ hours): Application of Skills

The Counting Problem

Synopsis

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12… to quite a number of us, this song from Sesame Street still rings in our head today.

Counting seems almost intuitive and deceptively simple that we believe that we are already masters of this subject.

Is it really so?

In this module, we introduce different problems and puzzles that bring us on a journey of discovery: testing your counting skills and unravelling the principles behind counting efficiently.

Counting is used to calculate probabilities and possibilities which are applied in various fields such as forensic science, Chemistry, Genetics, risk-management, etc. Using counting, we will also decide for ourselves if it is worth taking part in various gambling schemes.

Outline

Session 1 (90 mins)

• Counting numbers in a list

• Idea of 1-1 correspondence in counting

• The Addition Principle & Application [1]

Session 2 (90 mins)

• The Addition Principle & Application [2]

• The Multiplication Principle & Application [1]

• The Multiplication Principle & Application [2]

Session 3 (90 mins)

• Subsets and arrangements [1]: Combination

• Subsets and Arrangements [2]: Permutation

• Calculating interesting probabilities found in games and activities

Session 4 (90 mins)

• Counting …Infinity?

• Miscellaneous Problems [1]

Session 5 (90 mins)

• Miscellaneous Problems [2]

• Further Application and Related Topics

The Energy Crisis

Synopsis

In this module, students will learn about how energy is produced and priced for consumption in the household and in industries. Students will be able to visit an actual power plant and learn about how electricity is produced. Students will also be given an insight into approaches that are being explored globally as well as in the context of Singapore to deal with the impending depletion of non-renewable energy sources. These approaches include studying photovoltaic physics, nuclear physics, and plasma physics in the production of renewable and sustainable energy sources. Students will also learn about ways to conserve energy at home.

Outline

Photography for Content Creators

Synopsis

History is about capturing the past to serve a present, or even a future need. Be it to uphold political legitimacy, to tell the story of a loved one from long ago, or to teach important civic values – history has held its place as an important tool, if not a vehicle for the transmission of knowledge. How will this change in the 22nd century? What value does the telling of history hold for the new age, an age filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity? How will our histories be transmitted in the next century? This module is intended to help students understand the history of history and its relevance in the 22nd century. Students will learn and appreciate the transmission of history, and how it has transformed from cave art, to books, to the use of photographs and even the use of videos. It is hoped that students will become keen tellers of the story of history and be able to use the skills learnt in storytelling, photography, and cinematography to serve them beyond the study of history.

Outline

Session 1 [1.5 hours]

• What is this module about?

• Who are Content Creators?

• What tools do I need to create content?

• What is a Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera? What is a Mirrorless Camera?

• How do I take good photographs with a camera?

Session 2 [1.5 hours]

• How do I take pictures and make them look like the filters on Instagram?

Session 3 [1.5 hours]

• How do I tell good stories with my photographs?

• What is the history of history?

• How do we tell stories?

• What are important elements in transmitting historical stories?

• Where are the historical stories of today?

Session 4 [1.5 hours]

• What is the Chung Cheng spirit?

Session 5 [3 hours]

• Learning Journey

Session 6 [2 hours]

• Product Presentation

The Art of Music Production

Synopsis

Learn how to produce your own records that other people will enjoy listening to. In this course, you will learn how to create emotionally moving recordings on almost any type of recording equipment, including your laptop or smartphone. The focus of the course is on mastering tangible artistic concepts while the equipment that you use is up to you. You will learn to develop the most important tool in the recording environment: your ears. By using deeper listening skills, you will learn to enhance every aspect of your own production.

Through this 7-week course, you will learn about yourself and your identity as an artist and producer. There is no necessity that you read music or play an instrument to take this module.

Outline

Session 1 [2 hours]

How to listen like a Producer:

• Role of a producer

• Different roles in music production: Musician, Composer, Singer, Songwriter, Sound engineer

• The reason behind why we listen to music

• Listening technically versus listening with emotion

• Kinesthetic observation

• What makes an emotionally moving recording

• Make your music sound like a professional record

Session 2 [2 hours]

Establishing your Identity, Vision, and Intention as a Creator

• Building your identity, vision, and intention as an artist and producer

Session 3 [2 hours]

Tools & Strategies for an Effective Music Production Part I

• Make better music using the concept of prosody (storytelling)

• The structure of your song

• Writing lyrics

• Crafting melodies

• The technique of repetition

Session 4 [2 hours]

Tools & Strategies for an Effective Music Production Part II

• Arranging your music

• Studio performance

• Programming tracks

• How to produce vocals

Session 5 [2 hours]

Defining the Sonic Signature of your Song

• Recording your song

• Understanding acoustics

• Vocal miking techniques

• Instrument miking Techniques

• Layering of music

• Blending technology and art

Session 6 [2 hours]

Music Production Capstone Project

• Students will use this session to refine their production.

Session 7 [2 hours]

Music Production Capstone Project Presentation

• Showcase and Reflections

Notes regarding music copyright:

• cannot commercially exploit original works

• Must have independent effort in the creation of the work

• Must be not-for-profit

• Safe to use for educational purposes and with audience connected to the school (students, teachers, parents etc.)

• Can check with the legal department of MOE for further enquirers

Urban Farming in Singapore

Synopsis:

In this module, students will learn about urban farming and examine its viability in Singapore.

With the school-based hydroponics system, students will be learning about how to set up a hydroponics system and grow and harvest their own vegetables. Through this, they will learn about, seed germination, factors affecting plant growth such as light, water and nutrients. An additional session on the growing of microgreens will allow students to readily apply what they have learnt to the home setting.

Students will embark on two learning journeys. The first learning journey to Singapore Food Agency which deals with food safety and security in Singapore will give students a broad overview of Singapore’s food supply. The second learning journey will give students a glimpse into a commercial urban farm and give students insight into the potential applications of their earlier learning.

The module will culminate in an exhibition in school where students will showcase their learning.

Outline