1. BIOLOGY RAFFLES ACADEMIES
a.k.a. B.RA

2. Secondary Two Results Procedure Other Requirements REQUIREMENTS
4.0 GP for Biology
3.6 overall GPA
Others: on a case-by-case basis
Procedure
Selection Test
Interview (for some)
Other Requirements
Science Mentorship Project
OM-Tech Problem

3. How is RA different from RP?
RP vs RA
How is RA different from RP?
More depth and breadth in curriculum
Discussion-based teaching style
More opportunities for biology-related activities
Varied RA assessments

4. SEC 3 CURRICULUM RP Curriculum Additional RA Topics Homeostasis
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Ecology
Man’s Impact on the Environment
Evolution
Additional RA Topics
Kidney
Photosystems I & II 4

5. SEC 4 CURRICULUM RP Curriculum Additional RA Topics Fertility
Cellular Reproduction
Genomic Biology
Genetic Biology
Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Organisms
Additional RA Topics
Foetal screening (e.g. amniocentisis)
Statistical analysis (chi-square test), Epistasis, Collaboration, Complementary genes, Pleiotropy, x inactivation
Regulation of gene expression of lac and ara operons
Gene technology (DNA probes and hybridisation, Northern, Southern, Western, Southwestern blotting) 5

6. Accelerated learning TEACHING STYLE
RP syllabus covered briefly in class to allow more time for RA
Additional handouts which delve deeper into topics covered
More hands-on activities

7. Discussion-based and participation
TEACHING STYLE
Discussion-based and participation
Lessons are based on students’ input
Sharing of ideas and opinions are strongly encouraged
Group research, then sharing through class presentations

8. Self-motivated learning
TEACHING STYLE
Self-motivated learning
Hardly any spoonfeeding
More opportunities to explore and research on your own
WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY IS BASED ON WHAT YOU PUT IN!

9. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
An attachment programme under which students, under the guidance of an expert-mentor (e.g. professor, doctor) carry out scientific research and investigation
Expert-mentors from institutions e.g NUS, NTU
Comprises 2 main sections: Mentorship/attachment & project work, and participation in Youth Science Conference (YSC) in September

10. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
Allows students to gain exposure to scientific research and investigation/experimentation
Topics researched on in the course of doing the SMP project will most likely be relevant to the RA curriculum
Students are given the opportunity to work in laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and equipment

11. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
Requirements:
Aptitude in Math and Science
Interest in science
Ability to grasp abstract scientific concepts
Motivation and initiative
Time management skills
Commitment and discipline
Intellectual curiosity
Ability to work with others in a team
Social skills needed to relate to adults
Recommendation by a Science Teacher
Recommendation by Head of Department (Source:

12. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Science Mentorship Programme (SMP)
Selection Process:
Submission of a research proposal (Nov)
Based on topics proposed by the individual or by various expert-mentors from different institutions
Unsuccessful applicants are to reapply, and a new list of research topics proposed by expert-mentors will be released (January)
Others will be considered on a case-by-case basis

13. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Competitions
National Youth Envirolympics Challenge (NYEC)
Organised in partnership with NEA
An “amazing-race” around Singapore, centered around encouraging youths to support the green cause

14. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
3-day attachment at Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)
Learnt lab techniques (eg: Gel Electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Worked in a state-of-the-art lab
Got a feel of what a research scientist does

15. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
State-of-the-art lab at IMCB

16. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Science Talks
Stem Cell Talk Series 2009 by Prof Lim Tit Meng at the Science Centre
A series of 4 talks about stem cells and nerve growth factors, and its applications today
Evolution Talk by Dr Shawn Lum (from NIE)
Enrichment on Evolution from Secondary 3

17. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
RA Class Project – Mosquito Breeding Sites
Collaboration with RI and NUS to study mosquito breeding sites
Aim of the investigation was to find out which site in our school best favours the breeding of mosquito
Placed mosquito larvae trap in different sites around the school (Koi Pond, Eco Garden, J-Block Basketball Courts)
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the class will count the number of larvae in each trap

18. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Mosquito Traps

19. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Placing the mosquito traps in the Eco garden

20. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Michelle and Michelle placing the mosquito traps near the basketball courts

21. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Julia transferring mosquito larvae into tubes

22. ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAMMES
Our mosquito larvae samples

23. RA ASSESSMENTS Creative assessment methods
Have RP as well as RA assessments
Nuture and develop your creative potential
Encourages insightful thinking

24. RA ASSESMENTS Pen and Paper assessments Class presentation Lab report
Aunt Agony column response
Standard pen and paper test
Class presentation
Lab report
Making products
Brochures
Models
Posters

25. RA ASSESMENTS
GM Brochure in S3

26. MORE ABOUT B.RA
(insert BRA photo here and photos of teachers :D)

27. Thank you for your kind attention!
Any questions?