Innovation Program (EG2604)

About Innovation Program

Offered in Semester 2 of Academic Year 2007/08

The Innovation Program (IP) is designed to provide undergraduates with an experience of engaging in a semester-long innovative activity. IP is an alternative option under Enhancement Programs and therefore is a formal part of the B.Eng. degree program at NUS. Successful completion of IP earns the participant 4 Modular Credits in this respect. Prizes will be awarded for the best group/student of the semester.

The students taking part in IP will engage themselves on a hands-on basis to create an outcome that has a practical significance. Students themselves, under the guidance of a group of mentors will choose the subject of this engagement. The mentors will monitor the progress, assist in project development, and determine the suitability of each student's effort for awarding the points on completion.

IP's Background

IP is a version of an existing scheme that had been conducted annually since 1993 at certain primary and secondary schools in Singapore. That original program was designed and developed by A/P Alwis together with the Gifted Education Branch of the Ministry of Education. A/P Marcelo Ang and A/P Loh Han Tong of the Faculty of Engineering and Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, CEO and Director of the Singapore Science Centre made valuable contributions to the development of that program in its early years.

IP's Benefits

Students will learn that the existing forms of schemes and procedures in engineering practice can be successfully challenged.

Students will learn to appreciate the strengths of existing engineering schemes and procedures.

Students will learn to think critically and creatively.

The program will provide an opportunity to academic staff and alumni to contribute to the broad development of the students.

The Process

Finding a Problem: We use what is known as the "method of irritation." Finding something that is irritating or that can be considered as a shortcoming, is the basic objective here.

Exploration of the "vicinity" of the problem by finding out "who, what, why, where and how."

Formulation of a problem that has the potential of being solved or a dream that can be achieved to a reasonable extent within the resources available.

Going through a period of idea generation, evaluation, peer review and incubation.

Development of a prototype or a demonstrable system.

Presentation to convince others of the value of the proposed idea, procedure or device.

Assessement Criteria

Effort

Students must have completed at least 65 hours of work

Students should have a log book for documentation of all activities related to Innovation Program

Each row of the log sheet must be signed by tutor at each row and the completed log sheet must be submitted to tutor at the end.

The hours indicated will be moderated by the group of IP mentors/tutors.

Achievement

Project awarded a grade of A+,A, etc., consistent with the regular modules

To get an “S” or "CS" grade, students must

Have completed at least 65 hours of work

obtained an achievement of at least grade B-