Science
OP7 Powering Our School: A Solar Energy Feasibility Investigation
Date: 31 March 2026
Time: 1410-1540
Venue: First Toa Payoh Primary School
Teacher: Mrs Lydia Sim
This open classroom session demonstrates how Primary 6 students with academic strengths and talents could be engaged in applying abstract concepts about renewable energy to address the question, "Could our school be fully powered by solar energy?".
The demonstration showcases how a familiar and authentic context for structured inquiry is used to
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develop critical thinking, digital collaboration skills, and evidence-based reasoning
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deepen understanding of energy sources, conservation of energy and sustainability in students as they evaluate the feasibility of solar energy solutions.
The teacher facilitator will tap
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Google Classroom for collaboration questions to guide students to estimate available roof area, calculate electrical output and compare findings with actual electrical energy used
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scaffolds for systematic investigation, facilitating evidence-based reasoning and connecting science learning meaningfully to national sustainability goals.
Participants get to observe how students apply concepts related to energy and sustainability to solve an authentic problem, take on the role of active contributors to Singapore's green future and engage the community in a call to action.
Mrs Lydia Sim is the Head of Department (Science) at First Toa Payoh Primary School, where she leads the development and implementation of the school's Science curriculum. As an experienced Excellence 2000 (E2K) Science teacher, Lydia specialises in designing stretch lessons that extend classroom learning to diverse real-world contexts while providing students with hands-on tinkering and experimental experiences.
Her pedagogical approach strategically aligns lessons with students' classroom learning whilst challenging them through higher-order thinking and creative problem-solving opportunities. Lydia's expertise lies in creating meaningful connections between foundational science concepts and authentic investigations, particularly in sustainability education through the school's Primary 6 Science Talent Development Programme.
With her deep understanding of differentiated instruction for High Ability Learners, Lydia has successfully integrated inquiry-based learning approaches that nurture 21st Century Competencies whilst supporting Singapore's Green Plan 2030 objectives. Her innovative teaching methodologies emphasise student agency in scientific investigations, fostering critical thinking skills and environmental stewardship among young learners.