Hanoi Write-up

Day 1

I was exhilarated when we finally landed in Hanoi.
We first visited Hanoi Amsterdam High School, the best school in Hanoi. We saw the grand-looking school and were amazed by the various facilities it provides. We then interacted with the students and found out that we had many common interests.
Next, we had yummy dinner in the hotel.

Finally, we went to watch the Water Puppet Show. We admired the spectacular performance of the water puppets, which were depicting the daily lives of the vietnamese with some humour injected. There was also a few vietnamese either playing musical instruments or voicing the characters.

We were very tired and retired to our hotel rooms.

Day 2

We first went to Nguyen Du Secondary School. We were warmly greeted by the students and were guided to the hall. The principal of Nguyen Du Secondary School and Mr Soh, our vice-principal gave a speech to welcome the other party’s school.
Then, SST students played a video about what SST was about, for the Nguyen Du Secondary School students to understand. Next, SST students gave a presentation about what we SST students do on a daily basis.
The Nguyen Du Secondary School students also gave a presentation in English about the history of their school and an introduction about Vietnam.
We were called to exchange gifts with the Nguyen Du Secondary School students and we thanked them for hosting us.
After that, the Vietnamese students had several performances like singing and dancing. Many of us joined in the performance and we had lots of fun.
The Nguyen Du Secondary School students guided us around the school and we got to know them better at the same time. We then helped our Vietnamese buddies to create Blogger accounts and let them post on the GCP Friendship Blog.
Soon after, we left reluctantly as we could not bear to part with our new friends.
We ate delicious pho (Vietnamese noodles) for lunch.
Next, we visited the Hoan Kiem Lake. The name means “return sword” lake as the Vietnamese president once received a sword from the heavens to fight during WWII. After it was over, the golden turtle asked the president to return it the sword.
We went to the Ho Chi Minh Museum. There were many different artefacts about his life. He was very noble. He fought for Vietnam against France.

Day 3

We were on a bus ride for 4 hours until we finally reached Ha Long Bay.
The scenery was beautiful and magnificent. We got onto a boat and had prawns, spring rolls, “crabs” and other seafood.
After a while, we got off at a cave, which was founded by a fisherman and his son accidentally.
We saw the rocks naturally shaped in strange ways and one of them even looked like the Merlion!
After that, we got back onto the boat and onto the bus for another 4-hour-long ride.

Conclusion

I noticed that there are many motorcyclists on motorcycles on the streets of Vietnam. This is probably because motorcycles are cheaper than cars and there is not much public transport. I also noticed that many people live in small and rundown houses. This is probably because many Vietnamese are poor.
I learned that I take some time to recall what I did and feel earlier in the day, for reflections.
I realised that many students from our Hanoi GCP like to sing aloud together to songs that we are familiar to.

Done by: Sun Jie Min 1-07

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GCP Hà Nội 2010 Pictures

Here are some pictures of the GCP Hanoi trip I had taken, from 9-12 December. Many other members of the contingent have recorded or photographed something to bring home, many of them are on Facebook or storage devices.

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Humanities Mobile Learning (Botanical Gardens)

Today, our school organised Mobile Learning field trips for every class in school. As my class, 104, and 106, had already gone for a previous Mobile Learning trip, we were going to the Botanical Gardens, while the other classes were going to locations we had visited before.



















After a short briefing at the hall about some software that was not applicable to my group, we assembled at the porch and boarded the bus to our respective locations.



















104 and 106 were split up to go to different stations first. We were guided by guides from the Botanical Gardens. 104 first went to see a few plants and learn about them and the park.



















We were slightly delayed for the second, more fun rainforest walk as the 106 was behind time and the station was not prepared yet.
























We were guided by a different guide for the rainforest walk, who showed us many plants we may find in a native rainforest and explained to us some of the workings of a rainforest. It was quite fun, and though we were behind time we managed to finish the trail and go back to school, where many of us had our Learning Support briefing afterwards. All in all, it was a tiring but fun day.

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Perfume Making Workshop @ Science Centre

This is the end product of Christopher's and he is very happy about it.

Filling the solvent into the perfume.

Dropping a few droplets of the different scent of oil or perfumes.

Shakti was smelling the ester.

The substance used to make the ester that Shakti smells.

The lime shredding of the skin and where we can smell the zest of the lime and gather the critic oil.

Abilash smelling the jasmine water which is non - soluble and he has already shaken it.

Pouring the solution of the crushed Jasmine and distilled water.

Mixing the crushed Jasmine flowers and distilled water for one to three minutes.

Pouring all of the crushed Jasmine flowers into the beaker.

Pour 200ml of distilled water into the water.

Crushing the Jasmine flowers.

The end-of-yearexaminations are over, and SST has planned a range of activities for us. One of them was to learn about the making of Perfume at Science Centre. Perfume making are separated into three segments with four
experiments.

The first segment is extraction of the smell from two natural raw materials.The first experiment is about solvent extraction of the Jasmine flowers.

Then pour the crushed flowers into the water and stir in one direction for three minutes.Here is how we extract it.First crush the Jasmine flowers in a pack.

Secondly, prepare a beaker filled with 200ml of distilled water.

Finally carry out the filtration process and collect the Jasmine water.

To smell it shake it throughly as it is non - soluble and so as to redissolve the Jasmine water.

The next experiment is to find out the lime scent. First, scrape the lime skin along the grater.We took turns to grate it and while grating, we smelt the scent of the lime. The instructor told us that the grated pieces are actually where the citric oil is.

At the second segment, we learn about esters, creating esters and writing a word equation. Ester are scented organic compounds. To make a ester,the instructor ask us to pass her our beaker which she filled with Salicylic Acid Crystals, Methanol and Concentrated Sulphuric Acid which act as a catalyst.

Lastly the the third segment which all of the students love is making their own perfume. Before that , the instructor gave us a crash course on the three part of the perfume. The top note which is most refreshing, most volatile and evaporate the fastest. The next is the heart note, which last the first few minutes and somewhat the neutral type. Finally is the base note, this is the last to evaporate and normally after one day the smell will change.

After that, we were given a glass vile to store our perfumes.Then the instructor said to forget about all those and ask us to mix our favorite smells together and the result may be the same as the smells that we choose. Most pioneers went around tables mixing different smells and the result were astonishing as some came out good well some were very smelly.

Reported by Goh Jia Sheng

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Microbiology workshop and Speaking with impact workshop

Micro biology and Speaking with impact workshop

During the September holidays, the school arranged a two-day programme with Ngee Ann which took place on 6th and 7th August.

For my class, we did the the micro biology workshop on the first day. Upon arrival, we gathered in the lecture hall for a one hour talk on Microbiology before moving up to the labs for the practicals. We did a total of four practicals.

First, we were given a sample of pond water and were asked to look

at it under a microscope to observe the cells of the living organisms in the pond water. Most of the cells I saw were the cells of Algae. They were green and rectangular, although there were a few cells that were circular.

The rectangular and circular cells in the pond water.

The second practical was to observe the bread mould. Before we did anything , we had to first stain the mould so that it could be seen through the microscope. The ideal structure ( of the bread mould ) we were supposed to see through the microscope was a flower shape. Unfortunately, some of us did not get it. I was one of the unfortunate ones but luckily, Michelle , who was sitting beside me got the structure so I got to see how the bread

mould looked like through her microscope.

Stained bread mould

For the next experiment , we got to wear gloves as we had to completely st

ain the slide with a crystal violet stain. It was such a messy job! No wonder we had to wear gloves!

Before we proceed on with the last experiment, we did something a little less serious. We scrapped the insides of our noses and put the sample on a blood-agar petri dish. This was to test for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus , a harmless virus in which 30 % of the human population are carriers. We were told

to proceed to the lab preparation room the next day to check out our samples. Luckily, I did not have the virus.

Finally it was our last experiment. For this experiment, we had to observe bacteria move under the microscope. Many of the students did not get moving bacteria on their slides but one or two students did managed to get it and of course, all the other students crowded around to see the moving bacteria.

The moving bacteria is in the 'donut'. However, quite a few students

pushed the lens too closely on the cover slideand broke it.

The ' moving bacteria ' that could be seen through the microscope.

After lunch break , the nine of us from my class had to attend the speaking with impact workshop. What I initially thought would be a series of lectures turned out to be a series of fun and game

s programmed to enhanced our learning. In total, there were five stations, each focusing on a different area of learning. Due to the time constraint, I only got to visit three stations.

The first station was station four, ‘ The slick salesman ‘ . Here, we were taught on how to be a perfect salesman. The lesson also provided us with a chance to practise what we learnt as each group sent out a representative to promote on the product we were assigned to.

Next was station five. The session there was full of laughs as there was a very free-style way of learning and the lesson was based on what the students said. In other words, it seemed more like a chit chat session rather than a proper lesson. After that we had a short break.

Then it was time for our last station, station one, ‘ Finding our communication styles’ . At this station , the facilitator introduced to us the four communication styles, namely , director, socializer, thinker and relator. We also did a test to find out which communication styles we belonged to. The facilitator also shared with us the importance of knowing someone’s communication style through a case study. Finally, we split into groups and did role plays of the different communication styles and had others guess who we were after we had finished acting.

After all that, it was time to go home.

Written by

Emily Wu

S1-07

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Our Science Frontier & Speak with Impact Photos & Videos

Visit this url to take a look at some of the pictures from the Science Frontier Experience & Speak with Impact workshops:

http://picasaweb.google.com/110139014423411548840/ScienceFrontiersExperienceSpeakingWithImpact#


Photos by: Cherin


Videos

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Applied Physics Workshop @ Ngee Ann

Applied Physics Workshop

For this workshop,we had to convert gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy and let the specimen,ping pong ball, roll down in the slowest timing.We had to use the only the items provided by them to make a structure which can slow the ball for the longest timing.We also had seen some of the people from S.O.E (school of engineering) presenting their structure and some of us had learn or gain a few tips from them.Our goal was to have the longest time to reach the base of the structure without the ball stopping.

The materials given were

1. Blue tack

2. 2 rolls of thin masking tape

3. 20 straws

4. 60 satay sticks

5. 2 boards

6. vanguard sheet

We had two hours or so to do the structure.During the time everybody was busily building the structure,all were trying to figure out a way to slow down the ball, cutting strips of straws and satay sticks,making the structure filled with 'bumps' and making it as tall as possible.While after that,we went back to do our trail run.Everybody was rushing for time as they prepared their structure and made last minute changes.Finally it was time to compete.Everyone looked and waited for the result.And finally,the results were out.In first place for the first day,the winning group was group 19.

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Project Heart @ SST

Project Heart, a programme that planned to aid the elderly, is a 3 day programme organised by SST in collaboration with The Alexandra Health Team and Touch Community. Students from SST are largely and actively involved in this project. The students have done meaningful work for the community but at the same time attended courses to learn about service learning.

On the first day, the students were sent off to different places across the island, such as Bukit Merah Central, Khoo Teck Phuat hospital, and Northpoint Shopping Centre. At these locations, students were not asked to look for elderly for their research, because they WERE the elderly. Students were asked to become the visually and mobility challenged and be in the shoes of them for an hour, exploring the area and finding out whether the place is “elderly - friendly”, and if not, how to make it that way. For example, students at Northpoint were “visually impaired” and the students from their own classes set out in groups of 4, one wearing spectacles with frosted glass lenses to simulate what one would see if they were visually impaired. One would be an interviewer, one would then be the “caretaker” to take care of the “elderly” and watch where he is going and not let him trip and injure himself. So, the last one would be a note - taker to note down the problems with structures or design of the place that may not be feasible for elderly to go around.

"Visually Impaired" Student

Mobility Challenged

The next day, all students remained in school to attend courses for service learning and leadership. This was to infuse students with qualities of a leader who can serve the community well. This course spanned over the next 2 days and it was very meaningful for the students. On the first day of the course, they had to understand the fact that leaders have 4 qualities, resilience, integrity, compassion, and lastly excellence. Afterward, they played an icebreaker game that involved the whole group of 3 classes to move around in a circle. As they moved, objects were passed around. The objects were random, and could be as small as a marker pen, to something as large as a chair. The objects were passed from front to back, and if the object was passed to one from the left, one would have to pass the object to their right, and vice versa. In the end, an egg which had been passed out was found broken and some students had placed several items in a box, and the items, which included the box, was to be passed separately. This was to teach students that if the object were the people around them, the people would probably have suffered like a cracked egg. So the students learned that compassion is an important quality in leaders.

For the third day, the courses continued and this time the students tackled a tricky but meaningful activity, the escape off “Paradise” Island. It was a task where 4 students were asked to be the “physically - challenged” by having their limbs tied up. The 4 students who were the “victims” were not picked voluntarily. They were told that they were going for a vacation to “Paradise” Island. So, they were separated from their classes and taken to another location. The rest of the classes that stayed were told that their time frame was different from that of “Paradise” Island, and that 50 years have passed on “Paradise” Island even though only 1 minute has passed in the classroom. So the “visitors” are now disabled elderly on “Paradise” Island. So the classes mobilised rescue efforts with “resource tiles”, sheets of paper in different polygonal shapes to be arranged into different paths representing different routes. The “elderly” had to climb over obstacles like tables and chairs while they are tied up and the other classmates have to lay out the “tiles” for them to cross on. This teaches the students about teamwork and patience as they tried to help the “elderly” navigate over the obstacles.

Written by Zhi Chao
Edited by Ms Seah

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Reflection (Gavin)

I have leant the different types of animation ways. I seen good and bad animations and the equipment and people involved in it. I also seen the procedure of which an animation is being created. I also learnt the differences of the animation process done last time and presently.

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Reflection of Pixar Journey(Lee YuChong)

I have learnt that story is very important in an animation or a movie, or else an animation will not be good. No matter how good our animation technology, if a story is no good, the entire animation will still be no good. The exhibit was nice and informative. The Zoetrope is very interesting. The staff there are friendly and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed myself.

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Reflection

It was a fun day at the gallery as here were many good videos and experiments displayed, with the precise and wonderful works of arts and a wide screen that was totally 3d-like. My conclusion is that I will definitely go for the next exhibition.

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Pixar Animation Reflection

From the trip I learnt about techniques for animation. I learnt that animation is a tedious process, and that story is king. Without a good storyboard, the animation would not be favorable. Also, the artists also have to put in a lot of effort for their works. They have to draw a lot of frames, 24 frames, for just one second of animation. So, teamwork is needed between the crew to get the animation done well.

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PIXAR Animation Reflection - Reuven Lim

I have learnt that in animation, story is king. Without a good and understandable, even a advanced animation will not be good. Also, PIXAR was successful because of advanced computer animation software and a intesive and thorough story boarding process.

Here's a PIXAR short film. Enjoy!

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Reflections@PIXAR

I have learnt that the story is very important to animation. If we do research on the topic of the animation, our animation will be much better.

by Jie Min

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Funny PIXAR Video

LOL Watch this video everybody!!

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Reflection of PIXAR exhibit

It was interesting, especially the zenotrope (sp?). There was also a place in the exhibit that was playing a video. The video created the effect of a 3D movie but the video is actually a 2D video. There were various clay modules and sketches of the various movies PIXAR made. But it was very empty. The staff working there are kind and friendly. I also learned a lot more about animation.

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Refelections for the PIXAR exhibiton(by BING JUE)

To be able to create a good animation,you must have a good story.Be creative and you might be able to create a good animation.

One Example is the Animation Below.Pixar's first animation ''Luxor Jr''

Unlike the animation clip below:''Polly Gone''

Thus to make a good animation,you must have a good story.

With a good story is a good animation.

''STORY IS KING!!!"

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VdHrA8SKSg (Polly Gone)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46mcpqOVN08(Luxor JR)

©Bing Jue All rights reserved 2010

Check Out this as well!!!!

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