Introduction   Updated: 28/09/2005

In commemoration of the International Year of Physics 2005 and the Centenary of Albert Einstein’s Annus Mirabilis within which he published his seminal papers in 1905, the Singapore Science Centre has organised a host of events for your learning pleasure.

One of these events is the “IRON SCIENCE” Physics Teacher Competition organised for November 2005. It is based on the very popular Iron Science Teacher programme run by the Exploratorium * in San Francisco, USA. Their competition which was based on the popular Japanese cooking game show, "The Iron Chef", has science teachers competing to give “the most entertaining and informative science lecture” after given a short period to come up with a lesson based on a "secret ingredient". Past examples of the ingredient were dry ice, candles, ping pong balls, marbles, baking soda, tennis balls, a fruitcake, CDs, etc. That is, anything can be designated the secret ingredient for a particular session of the competition – usually common everyday material.

* The Exploratorium and the Singapore Science Centre, through a Memorandum of Understanding, collaborate in various programmes, exhibitions and related matters.

Our Objectives

Our competition aims to find local teachers with the flair and the showmanship that totally captivates his/her audience, and at the same time, who produce the most creative, most compelling Physics lessons, and who are able to imbibe the most significant learning to that audience. Another important objective is to give teachers the chance to try out creative teaching methods and share clever and novel teaching ideas – all with the ultimate aim of planting these scientific concepts firmly into our students. And perhaps to inspire them to go on into careers in science.

The Process   Updated: 4/11/2005

• Contestants will be told the secret ingredient(s) via e-mail 7 days before the day of the contest, (ie 9/Nov/2005). A set of suggested "judging criteria" (or guidelines) will also be given to you.
• The audience does not know the secret ingredient.
• Each contestant is given 2 minutes to set up their "lesson" in front of their audience, immediately followed by another 7 minutes to present it in ENGLISH only.
• Please report to the Faraday Lab (on Level 3 - next to the Dalton Lecture Hall) at least one hour before the start of the competition (ie by ~ 2pm).
  Additional information and guidelines will be confirmed by the close of registration.

The Contestants   Updated: 4/11/2005

• The competition is open to all teachers in all schools in Singapore, ie MoE schools as well as international schools.
• The competition is also open to all trainees of the National Institute of Education.
• Contestants need not be science teachers or science NIE trainees but the lesson they present must be a lesson on a Physics topic using the secret ingredient.
• The organiser reserves the right to reject a submission-application.

The Prizes   Updated: 4/11/2005

• The winner will be Singapore’s first IRON SCIENCE Teacher. He/She will have the opportunity to enjoy a fruitful learning experience through a pre-arranged programme at The Exploratorium in San Francisco, USA.
• All winners will be presented with trophies.
• Each contestant will be presented with
  • a certificate of participation,
  • a video record of the competition, and,
  • a bag of interesting gifts, souvenirs and fun stuff.
• Prizes are as follows:

  Your Title	Your Prize
  The IRON SCIENCE Teacher of the Year	One Return Airticket* to the Exploratorium, San Francisco, USA
  The WROUGHT IRON Teacher of the Year	S$500.00
  The CAST IRON Teacher of the Year	S$250.00

  * Conditions on schedules & availability of flight may apply.
  The organisers reserves the right to change the prizes.

The Dates   Updated: 4/11/2005

• Registration opens on August 1^st, 2005.
• Registration closes on November 14^th, 2005.
• The contest is held on November 16^th, 2005 at 3pm.

The Venue   Updated: 4/11/2005

The contest will be held in the Dalton Lecture Hall on Level 3 of the Singapore Science Centre.

The Judges   Updated: 12/10/2005

• The judges will comprise of a panel of scientists, experts, educationalists, etc.
• An audience of your peers and students may also be given "voting rights".

Invitation   Updated: 4/11/2005

• You are most cordially invited to be a part of the audience of this exciting, funfilled competition.
• You may register as
  • a member of the public, or,
  • staff and/or students of (MoE or International) schools, or,
  • staff and/or trainees of NIE.
• Please indicate the number of students or others who will be attending with you.
  We reserve the right to limit the number of attendees so as to have as many schools as possible present.
  At the moment, the limit (per school) is a a total of 15 teachers+students.

FAQ   Updated: 19/09/2005

• Is the competition solo? Or can it be paired?
  The competition is for the solo "performer" (just as the classroom setting is for a single teacher). There is no problem with contestants discussing his/her "lesson plan" but the actual "lesson" must be given by the individual contestant. There is currently no provision of recognising his/her aid(s)/assistant(s). (Especially for winning lessons!)
• Are we allowed to discuss the lesson after receiving the secret ingredient?
  Yes, as noted before.

Performancers   Updated: 21/11/2005

A DVD record of the contest will be given to all participants (when ready). A very limited number will also be available to all schools. Requests will be entertained on a first-come-first-served basis. Please make your request via e-mail.

Useful Links

• The Exploratorium's "Iron Science Teacher" Page
• About Physics "Iron Science Teacher" Page
• District Administration Magazine Report
• Scientific Explorations & Adventures

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