Unlocking Potential: Environment-Driven Development Curriculum (Days 13-15)

Goal: Use the environment and natural materials to solve physical challenges.

On-Screen Activity:
- Watch a Nature Documentary and Discuss Solutions
  - Watch a nature documentary and identify the challenges faced by animals and plants. Discuss how the environment offers unique solutions to problems.
  - Resource: National Geographic Kids documentary series.
Off-Screen Activity:
- Build a Shelter or Structure in Nature
  - Go on a nature walk and collect natural materials (sticks, leaves, rocks) to build a simple shelter or structure. This encourages creative problem-solving in an outdoor setting.
  - Location: MacRitchie Reservoir or nearby park.
Event in Singapore:
- Sustainable Nature Tours at Singapore Botanic Gardens
  - Participate in a nature tour focused on sustainability and how nature can solve human problems (e.g., the benefits of green spaces, plants that purify air).
  - Resource: Check for Sustainable Nature Tours at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Goal: Apply problem-solving in busy environments, thinking about how to stand out or create value.

On-Screen Activity:
- Explore How Tourist Spots Solve Problems
  - Look at videos or articles discussing how tourist spots (like Sentosa) solve problems such as crowd control, waste management, or keeping visitors engaged. Discuss possible improvements or unique approaches.
  - Resource: YouTube – How Tourist Attractions Solve Challenges.
Off-Screen Activity:
- Create a New Tourist Attraction
  - Based on what you’ve discussed, brainstorm with your son to design a new, creative tourist attraction that solves problems for visitors (e.g., a more sustainable way to explore Sentosa).
  - Location: Home or during a walk around Sentosa.
Event in Singapore:
- Urban Problem-Solving Events in Marina Bay Sands
  - Attend a workshop or event focused on city development and tourism management. Kids can participate in activities like designing city infrastructures or coming up with solutions to urban problems.
  - Resource: Look up event schedules for Marina Bay Sands.

Goal: Solve problems using the physical environment, leveraging unique attributes like your living space.

On-Screen Activity:
- Learn About Physical Problem-Solving in Extreme Environments
  - Watch a video on how astronauts or explorers solve problems in extreme environments. Discuss what problem-solving strategies would work in different environments.
  - Resource: YouTube – Problem-Solving in Extreme Environments.
Off-Screen Activity:
- Create a “Survival Kit” for Your Environment
  - Build a physical kit using materials found in nature (e.g., fire-starting materials, water filtration techniques). Discuss how different environments require different tools and problem-solving.
  - Location: Home or outdoor exploration.
Event in Singapore:
- Survival Skills Workshops
  - Participate in workshops that teach basic survival skills and environmental problem-solving.
  - Resource: Check ActiveSG for adventure or survival programs.

Goal: Apply problem-solving skills to the challenges found in urban environments like the busy areas around Sentosa.

On-Screen Activity:
- Explore City Challenges with SimCity or City-Planning Games
  - Play city-building simulation games like SimCity or Cities: Skylines to understand how urban planners address challenges like traffic, energy consumption, and green space management.
  - Resource: SimCity (PC), Cities: Skylines (PC or Console).
Off-Screen Activity:
- Map Out Solutions for a Crowded Tourist Area
  - Take a walk around Sentosa or a busy part of the city and take notes on how crowds are managed, how spaces are used, and identify areas where things could be improved. Discuss possible solutions like digital crowd management, better signage, or ways to enhance visitor experiences.
  - Location: Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, or any popular tourist spot in Singapore.
Event in Singapore:
- Urban Design Workshops
  - Attend an urban planning or city-design workshop aimed at children or families. These workshops could offer hands-on activities that teach about infrastructure, sustainable city planning, or environmental considerations.
  - Resource: Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) or check out events like Singapore Urban Design Week.

Goal: Encourage your son to understand how nature solves problems and how those solutions can inspire innovation.

On-Screen Activity:
- Learn About Biomimicry
  - Watch a video or short documentary on how nature inspires engineering solutions. For example, how engineers have replicated bird wings for airplane designs or used termite mounds for energy-efficient buildings.
  - Resource: YouTube – Biomimicry: Nature’s Solutions to Human Problems.
Off-Screen Activity:
- Explore Nature’s Problem-Solving Mechanisms
  - Take a walk in the Singapore Botanic Gardens or a local nature park and observe the plants and animals. Discuss how each organism solves challenges in its environment (e.g., how plants use sunlight to grow, or how animals adapt to their surroundings).
  - Location: Singapore Botanic Gardens, MacRitchie Reservoir, or Southern Ridges.
Event in Singapore:
- Nature Walks and Educational Tours
  - Participate in a guided nature walk that discusses the role of plants and animals in solving environmental challenges.
  - Resource: Singapore Botanic Gardens or National Parks Board.

Goal: Teach your son how sustainable innovations are born from challenges in the environment.

On-Screen Activity:
- Explore Sustainable Technology
  - Watch videos or documentaries about sustainable technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, or water filtration systems. Discuss how these technologies solve critical environmental issues.
  - Resource: Netflix – Our Planet or YouTube – Sustainable Technologies.
Off-Screen Activity:
- Create a Sustainable Innovation Prototype
  - Using materials from home, create a simple prototype of a sustainable product. For example, a small solar-powered toy, a water filtration device using activated charcoal, or a recycled plastic product.
  - Location: Home, Community Maker Space, or local library.
Event in Singapore:
- Sustainable Innovation and Technology Events
  - Attend workshops or events focused on sustainable innovations. Many organizations host activities on how to build and prototype sustainable products.
  - Resource: Check for events hosted by Sustainable Singapore or the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Tiny Wins