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  Straits Times 25 May 07
Festival gets youth to explore green ideas
Environment the focus at S'pore Youth Science Festival this year
By Michelle Neo

FIRST, warm some milk and add vinegar. Then, let the substance dry in the sun for a few days. The end result: non-polluting, biodegradable plastic. Sounds too good to be true? Maybe, but it turned out to be a recipe for success for four Primary 5 pupils from St Anthony's Canossian Primary School, whose project won them a distinction award at one of the competitions in the Singapore Youth Science Festival (SYSF) 2007.

Themed 'Science and the Environment', this year's festival challenges young minds to explore environmental concerns close to their heart.

Said Pamela On, 11, one of the group's members: 'Non-biodegradable plastics can remain in the soil for about 200 years. Although making biodegradable plastics may cost more, people are also more well-off now. They should be willing to spend.'

A total of 32 award-winning projects were on display at the NUS High School of Mathematics and Sciences on Wednesday, which hosted the official opening of the annual week-long festival.

The festival - currently in its 30th year - features a series of events including the 'SYSF Stage!' This is a competition where the acting skills of different primary school teams will be pitted against each other. The teams will be performing short plays about the environment.

Science teachers have not been left out either. A seminar entitled 'The Teachers' Seminar' was conducted at the Singapore Science Centre yesterday to expose teachers to the latest trends in science education.

Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, 49, chief executive of the Singapore Science Centre, described the SYSF as a 'rite of passage' for budding scientists here.

The Singapore Science Centre was one of the organisers of the event, which was graced by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

Commenting on the importance of educating the young, Dr Yaacob said: 'They have a huge stake in the environment. If they start being environmentally conscious early, then they can work together to improve the environment.'
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