To effectively and intelligently solve mathematical problems, students should use various thinking skills and heuristics to help them. We have identified 12 problem solving strategies which are commonly used to solve mathematical problems. In these workshops, you will be shown how you can easily impart these strategies to your students using heuristics such as interesting puzzles, card tricks and magic.

Workshop A
Time: 9am to 12.30pm

This workshop will cover the following strategies:
1. Intelligent guessing and testing
2. Looking for Patterns
3. Simplifying the Problem
4. Making a Systematic List/ Table
5. Elimination
6. Acting it out/ Experiment with Real Object
which will cover topics like:
• Number Sense • Number Patterns •Addition •Subtraction •Multiplication •Division • Maths operations • Fraction • Calendar • Geometry • Cube

Workshop B
Time: 2pm to 5.30pm

This workshop will cover the following strategies:
1. Restating the Problem in another way
2. Working Backwards
3. Drawing a Diagram
4. Using Logic
5. Restating a new problem to familiar problems
6. Adopting a different Point of View- Thinking out of the Box
which will cover topics like:
•Addition •Subtraction •Multiplication •Division • Maths operations • Arrangement • Unit of Measurement • Area • Money • Time • Ascending and Descending Numbers

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A week-long series of 9 Powerful workshops with hands-on practice where our ICT Expert, Mr Chris Smith, will show you how easy it is to use ICT for teaching and learning, no matter what levels or subject you teach. You can choose to attend one or all of these workshops.

1. Advanced Internet Applications designed to save time (for teacher already using ICT) - 15 Mar, 9am to 12.15pm
2. A Social Network for your Class - 15 Mar, 1.45pm to 5pm
3. Beyond Powerpoint- 16 Mar, 9am to 5pm
4. Blogs (include Micro blogging on Twitter)- 17 Mar, 9am to 12.15pm
5. Videos in Classroom - 17 Mar, 1.45pm to 5pm
6. Technology supporting MATHEMATICS teaching and learning - 18 Mar, 9am to 12.15pm
7. Technology supporting SCIENCE teaching and learning - 18 Mar, 1.45pm to 5pm
8. Podcasts- 19 Mar, 9am to 12.15pm
9. Google Extended- 19 Mar, 1.45pm to 5pm

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Experiments in Laboratories are fundamentals for teaching and learning Chemistry. In these practical workshops, Mr KM Chan will share some non-traditional, innovative and interesting methods for conducting Chemistry Experiments. Participants will have hands-on experience on low-cost and innovative micro-scale experiments and be engaged in pre and post-lab discussions, with reference to the current Singapore Syllabus context.

For 'O' Level teachers, 15 Mar 2010 (2pm-5pm)

  - Quantitative and qualitative investigations of electrolysis
  - Microscale determination of molar volume of gases
  - Thermo-cracking of alkane
  - Free radical bromine substitution of alkane
  - "Silly Putty" and polymerization

+ Geared to the OL Syllabuses
+ Sharing innovative equipments, some can even be self-made by teachers for use in experiments
Participants will receive a set of Electrolysis Tube

For 'A' Level teachers, 16 Mar 2010 (9am-4pm)

  - Calibration of antimony pH meter
  - Determination of Ka of ethanoic acid by pH measurement
  - pH titration curves
  - Discussion on equipment acquisition
  - Ksp of calcium hydroxide by microscale titration
  - Thermo-cracking of alkane
  - Determination of Heat of Combustion of propan-1-ol
  - Free radical bromine substitution of alkane

+ Geared to new AL Syllabus
+ Suitable for School-based Science Practical Assessment (SPA)
Participants will receive a set of 24-well plate and antimony electrode.

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An interactive and thought-provoking workshop that suggests a series of inspiring and creative ways of facilitating the learning of Mathematics. Using hands-on activities like playing cards to develop problem solving strategies and conceptual understanding of arithmetic, decimals, fraction, mass, units of measurement, binary system, geometry, radius and circumference of sphere, area, pattern recognition and algebra (function, linear and simultaneous equation)

This workshop also discusses the five steps to creativity and the application of Kano Model in mathematics education.

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In this one-day practical workshop, you will:

- Learn creative ways of facilitating and learning of mathematics (including simple algebra, number sense, number bond, arithmetic, pattern recognition and problem sums)

- Discover a series of motivational ideas to develop problem solving strategies, mathematical thinking and creativity via card games

- Explore the possiblity of using the same trick for different age groups and for different objectives

- Developing creativity through multiple intelligences and more...

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Physics is an important subject in Science education and many professions actually need knowledge of this subject as a pre-requisite. However, there are always students who desire to pursue a career in these professions, find the subject dry and the theories difficult to grasp. As teaching professionals in physics, you can inject fun and creativity in teaching the subject so as to help your students learn and appreciate the subject better.

This workshop will cover:
1. Exploring a microworld with a home-made microscope
2. Hands-on activities with a Laser pointer
   - Particle size determination e.g. Red blood cells and dust
   - Communication with a laser beam
   - Fun with reflection of light
3. Fun with light and sound
   - Physics of a musical instrument
   - Spectrum of sunlight
   - Fun with your ears and eyes
4. Physics of flying objects and rockets
5. Fun with electromagnetism
   - Amazing electrostatics
   - Making your own simple motor, compass, a current meter and many other items.

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In this one-day highly interactive workshop filled with lots of hands-on activities, Dr Janchai is going to share with you great ideas on how to creatively teach Science and make learning fun for students. Some activities that will be covered in the workshop include:

• Exploring science in micro world with a powerful pocket microscope
• Interesting Science on Light and Laser
• Fun with Electrostatics
• Detective Science using Ultraviolet light
• Science of Sound
• Making your own simple motor, compass, current meter, battery
• Making your own 3D photo & movies for science projects and exhibitions, and other innovative teaching technique with toys & hands-on activities

All participants will take home some fun creations plus a CD illustrating teaching of different science concepts covered in the workshop!

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Mathematical card tricks can serve as an effective means of motivation at almost all levels of instruction. The major purpose of its use in the classroom is to enable children to discover that mathematics is easy and interesting, and thus stimulate interest in their further study of the subject. This 1-day interactive and thought-provoking workshop focuses on a set of Mathematical cards, and participants will get to try out all the magic and games, and discover the beauty of mathematics themselves.

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A workshop that introduces teachers to appropriate recreational puzzles, games and magical tricks that are based on sound mathematical concepts. Application of such interesting techniques will drive students' interests and participation and provides opportunities for students to develop and exercise mathematical reasoning and problem solving activities that helps them in promoting active and meaningful knowledge construction.

For Primary School Teachers
Our hands-on activities develop conceptual understanding of Number Sense, Arithmatic, Finger Times Tables, Problem Sums, Fraction, Arrangement, Pattern Recognition, Mass, Unit of Measurements and simple algebra

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This workshop encompasses lots of hands-on activities. It is especially designed for teachers who teach Physics in Upper Secondary, Junior Colleges, and Polytechnics who can use the various tools to illustrate different physics theories that are suitable for their students of different academic levels and varying level of abilities.

The Workshop will cover:
1. Interesting Physics concepts you can
learn on an airplane
2. Using fun Physics toys to teach pressure,
energy, work and power
3. Using computer to teach Sound
4. Amazing Electric and Magnetic Fields
5. Fun ways to learn Electromagnetic induction
6. Detection of Radioactivity in the Classroom

You will be provided with notes, a set of interesting and useful tools and toys where you could use to illustrate to your students various Physics concepts. A CD showing how to use the tools will also be given.

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Following our successful “Fun With Creative Science 1” workshop sharing with teachers great ideas on using toys, manipulative materials and magic to stimulate students’ curiosity in Science, we are introducing “Fun with Creative Science 2”, which promises you ADDITIONAL new ideas to link Science with things around us and promote discovery as well as add meaning and relevance to the learning of Science as a subject.

Some topics within Singapore syllabus which will be covered include:
- Fun Science ideas in daily life
- Fun Science with your Body
- Exploring micrometerorites
- Great hands-on experiments/ activities with a magnet
- Fun science with a can
- Exploring energy and matters with toys
- Detective Science and Science at night using UV lights

This workshop incorporates lots of Hands-on activities and embraces INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING!
All participants will be given a bag of tools plus a CD to illustrate teaching of different science concepts listed above!

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Teaching Science with creativity actually need not be a difficult task as long as you know how to make connections between things we used in our daily lives with the subject matter. There are many interesting things around us that we can use to teach students science concepts. By doing so, you can easily have a Fun Science classroom anytime, anywhere!

Some topics within Singapore syllabus which will be covered include:

• Electricity. Learn great ideas on how to use interesting toys and tools to teach students about electric currents, circuits and waves.
• Heat. Fun ideas to illustrate to students the characteristics of heat. Effects and transmission of heat.
• Light. Great ideas to illustrate light as a form of energy and explore characteristics of light waves
• Conversion of Energy. Interesting ideas to show how energy is converted from one form to another.
• Explore Forces through Simple and Fun Mechanisms. Fun ways to illustrate forces and other science concepts and stimulate hands-on and inquisitive minds through exploring simple mechanisms.

Add that sense of humour by using items that students can see everyday at home to teach interesting science concepts! You will be surprised that you can use home items to teach science concepts like Forces, Energy, Electricity, Electrostatic, Heat, Light, Sound and many more.

In this 1-day humorous and impactful workshop designed for Upper Primary and Lower Secondary Science Teachers, see how Dr Janchai “brings his home to the classroom” by sharing with teachers on:

 - Interesting ideas on using home items to arouse curiosity
 - Science in Kitchen
 - Science magic using common home items
 - Fun science with microwave
 - Designing and making science tools using day to day home items
 - Great ideas you can inspire your students on making science toys from items commonly found at home

Physics lessons can be boring if taught directly out of textbooks and strict experiments. But if you are able to connect fun ideas of things around us with Physics, you will be able to introduce fun physics lessons every time! You will be amazed that even the most difficult concepts can be taught in a fun and easy to understand manner so students will see the relevance and appreciate the subject better.

In this one-day brand new workshop with Dr Janchai, an international creative educator who has shared creative teaching ideas with teachers and students around the world, he will share with you great ideas and creative experiments to teach difficult Physics concepts like:
• Waves and Superposition of Waves
• Electromagnetism • Quantum Physics • Forces
• Dynamics • G Field • Modern Physics and others

In this half-day compact workshop designed for Upper Primary and Lower Secondary Science Teachers, Dr Janchai will share on effective usage of different avenues to enhance or even replace classroom teaching. He will provide teachers some instant and ready ideas that they can use if they are adopting any of these avenues for their students.

Learn from Dr Janchai on:
- What activities teachers can introduce in Science Projects
- How to design fun and safe Science Corners
- How to plan and design impressive Science Exhibitions
- Interesting ideas that teachers can use for Science Shows
- Exciting Activities to do in Science Camp
- And many more fun ideas…

This is specially created for Primary 1 and 2 teachers. Mrs Muthu, with over 25 years of teaching lower primary students, has discovered an effective method where you can teach your class of mixed capabilities at the same time to master comprehension techniques. Having fine-tuned this method over the years of her teaching, she has managed to make her comprehension lessons enjoyable for both the fast and slow learners, and at the same time, slowly build up the weaker students’ skills in answering comprehension such that they are able to confidently handle comprehension by themselves at the end of the year.

Call Synergyst at 9187 2399/ 6282 8369 for more information.

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For Students

Outdoor learning is a great way to develop inquiry based learning.  It engages students in active and independent thinking when they come across things that stimulate their interest and curiosity.  Bringing students overseas also enables them to experience things they would not be able to see or do in their homeland and open up their thinking horizon to appreciate and understand the Science and beauty of different environments and nature.

Besides educational trips for students, we also organise learning journeys for teachers that are designed to help them “recharge” and generate new ideas for teaching.  Our educational trips are UNIQUE. We worked with academic subject experts to design well thought itineraries where participants not only enhance their Science knowledge through observations, experiments and activities, but also sightsee and explore the arts, geography, history, culture and tradition of that country.

Opportunities for students and teachers to visit or have exchanges with established schools in those countries can also be arranged.  To find out more, call us at 6282 8369/ 9187 2388

Our Educational Trips are proudly organised by Synergyst Expedition Pte Ltd, under the group of companies of Synergyst Pte Ltd.

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Looking for enrichment classes to be run in the school for your students? How about one that

• Uses Fun Maths to develop Student’s Creative Problem Solving Skills,
• Develops Student’s interest towards Mathematics
• Stimulates Creativity and intellectual Curiosity!

Our focus in this non-curriculum-based but pro-curriculum programme is to challenge students to think beyond what they learn in school. Approaches used here are well-received by many local teachers who found it extremely useful in developing their students’ interest in Maths and challenging the minds of the fast Maths learners. This programme also supports our Government’s initiative to develop enquiring minds of our students.

Call Synergyst at 6282 8369/ 9187 2399 to find out more.

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( Primary)

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( Secondary)

Dr Janchai's
Fun Science Theatre

Learning Science is fun and meaningful. To help your students appreciate how Science and technology impact our daily lives and environment, you need to constantly show them the connection of science education to the things around us. Our Science theatre aims to provide this link and help students to appreciate the learning of science.

Science Show for Primary School

Learning Science is fun and meaningful. To help your students appreciate how Science and technology impact our daily lives and environment, you need to constantly show them the connection of science education to the things around us. Our Science theatre aims to provide this link and help students to appreciate the learning of science. The session also aims to develop the attitudes necessary for scientific inquiry by showing them how science concepts have been employed in the making of commonly found things.

Schools can choose from the following interesting topics that can be customised to different academic levels.
Exploring Science Arround Us ♦ Discovering Energy
Around Us ♦ Fun with Air and Presure ♦
Fun Exploration of Forces ♦ Electricity and Magnetts

Dr Janchai’s Fun Science Theatre will be 1 ½ hours for Primary Schools and 2 hours for Secondary Schools. All science theatres will involve students with reasonable hands-on activities so schools do not need to worry that students will only be sitting down watching a show. All students will also get an interesting and customised activity booklet and a fun pack of materials!

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Science Enrichment Workshops for Upper Primary and above
(can be customised to different levels)

Let your students have a fun hands-on day with Dr Janchai exploring Science with activities and creating science toys and gadgets using simple daily or recycled items. The aim of these workshops is to enable students to exercise their scientific inquiry in discovering and experiencing science in their daily lives and the environment in a fun and creative way. Some topics teachers can consider are:

- Light & Vision
- Science of Sound
- Exploring Forces and Pressure
- Discovering Electrical Energy
- Heat and Temperature
- Exploring Microworld (e.g. cells) with pocket microscope

Call Synergyst at 6282 8369/ 9187 2388 to find out more.

Fun with Blogs, Podcasts and Social Networks!

Many students are into blogs and podcasts and many of them have even started their own social networks. But how many students know how to make use of Blogs, Podcasts or Social Networks for their learning or projects?

In this interesting and practical workshop, ICT expert and advisor, Mr Chris Smith, will bring students through a fun and interesting journey exploring Blogs, Podcasts or Social Networks for their projects and learning. Many will gather from Chris useful tools, links or resources to customise their Blogs, Podcasts or Social Networks.

This workshop can be conducted large scale as long as school can fulfil on providing one computer (with internet access) per team of students.

Format of workshop:
4-5 students will be put in a team where a customised project topic will be given. Each member of the team is assigned responsibilities and they will need to present their project at the end of the one-day workshop. Reasonable guidance will be given by Chris in providing students with tools and resources. Students not only achieve understanding in the subject matter through inquiry and search and are able to create their own Blogs, Podcasts or Social Networks, but being challenged on their skills in teamwork, time management, decision making, research, technical, writing and presentation.

Call Synergyst at 6282 8369/ 9187 2388 to find out more.