#sgcoding

Celebrating a Triumph of Innovation: Our First National Robotics Competition

The curtains have fallen on the National Robotics Competition 2023, and what a journey it has been! We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible parents and brilliant students who joined us on this groundbreaking adventure. This year marked our debut in the competition’s various categories, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

A Journey of Firsts

As we took our first steps into the world of competitive robotics, we knew we were in for an exciting ride. Little did we know just how far our teams would go and how much they would achieve. Our journey was filled with learning, innovation, and moments of sheer brilliance.

The Triumphs and Achievements

Our students showed exceptional talent and dedication, earning top spots in multiple categories. We were placed 6th in NRC Coderz (Secondary) and 3rd in NRC Regular Category (Upper Primary). These will forever light up our memories. Each achievement was a testament to the hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance of our participants.

Teamwork, Creativity, and Problem-Solving

What made our journey truly special was witnessing the power of teamwork and creative problem-solving. Our students collaborated seamlessly, combining their individual strengths to overcome challenges. The robots they built were not just machines; they were the embodiment of innovation.

A Grateful Salute to Parents

To the parents who stood by us every step of the way, we offer our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and enthusiasm played a pivotal role in our success. You showed us the true meaning of partnership and dedication.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Participating in the National Robotics Competition is not just about winning medals. It’s about inspiring future innovators, nurturing a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and fostering creativity. Our students have not only made us proud but have also become role models for countless others dreaming of a future in robotics.

What Lies Ahead

This is just the beginning of our exciting journey. The experiences and knowledge gained during this competition will propel us forward as we continue to explore the ever-evolving world of robotics. We are eager to see how our students will continue to shine and innovate in the field.

Share Your Moments

If you have any memorable photos, stories, or reflections from the competition, we invite you to share them with us. We’d love to feature your experiences and celebrate your achievements together.

Stay Tuned for More

Keep an eye on our updates as we continue to share the latest developments from our robotics program. The future is bright, and together, we are shaping it one innovation at a time.

Thank you, once again, to all the parents and students who made this journey possible. Together, we have proven that innovation knows no bounds, and the possibilities are endless when we dream, create, and work as a team.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and news:

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Unveiling the Award Winners of The Lab Thinkers Competition 2023

With the conclusion of The Lab Thinkers Competition 2023, The Lab Singapore is proud to announce the following students as our esteemed award winners:

1st Place – Myra Gautam
2nd Place – Reagan Chng
3rd Place and Public Voted Best Robot Award – Alyssa Tan

We would also like to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the rest of our participants: Emma Chua, Ethan Low, Jayden and Zhen Le, Hsueh Le, and Olivia Tong. Their dedication and hard work over several weeks in preparing and refining their submissions for the final presentation is truly commendable.

Held from 23rd to 25th June 2023, The Lab Thinkers Competition 2023 brought together nine brilliant minds to tackle the challenge of developing a technological solution to assist Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, and showcased the innovative ideas and technological solutions presented by our talented students.

The teams crafted their projects around a set budget and presented their projects to a panel of judges, sharing their learning processes and engaging in a Q&A session. The public was also actively involved throughout the competition, as all submissions were displayed publicly and open for voting. This not only provided an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the participants’ hard work and ingenuity, but also shed light on the immense potential of technology in addressing pressing societal challenges.

The Lab Singapore would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the public and our student volunteers for their active participation and valuable contributions. Your presence and engagement played a pivotal role in making this event a resounding success. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey, and we look forward to your continued involvement in our future endeavour

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The Lab won first place in SheHacks 2023!

In a world where diversity and inclusivity are paramount, one remarkable young coder has been making waves in the coding space. Meet Jia Singh, a talented 14-year-old who, with just two years of experience at The Lab Singapore, has not only cultivated her passion for coding, but also emerged as a beacon of inspiration for young girls such as herself.

A musician, prospective media student, and motorsport enthusiast, Jia Singh embarked on her coding journey in 2021 with The Lab Singapore and earned herself numerous internal accolades along the way, such as “good performance” and “fastest coder.” These achievements showcased her dedication and demonstrated her exceptional skills.

Reflecting on her journey thus far, Jia emphasises the importance of coding and why she continues to pursue it: “To me, coding is more than just a ‘cool’ activity [. . .] Coding [plays] a vital part [in] today’s day and age, especially since so much of our lives [is] based on the internet and various forms of technology. Coding is one of the things that people of any age can learn and [. . .] that makes it so fascinating and special.”

The pinnacle of Jia’s coding journey arrived in March of 2023 when she emerged as the champion in the U14 category of SheHacks, a hackathon exclusively for females and non-binary individuals. Jia’s victory not only marked a personal milestone but also highlighted her incredible potential.

Sharing her experience at SheHacks, Jia states, “I just applied [to compete in SheHacks] with a friend from school because I thought it would be a good experience, but it was more than good; to me it was life changing. I got to create, innovate and pitch my ideas, and for me that was a really enjoyable experience.”

But do not be fooled; Jia’s achievements are not simply the fruit of raw talent. Mr. Hong Yang, one of her teachers at The Lab Singapore, mentions that when she first joined his class, she did not stand out from her peers as an exceptional coder. However, it was due to her innate drive to understand the world that allowed her reach to greater heights. Mr. Hong Yang commends her desire to learn, stating, “[Jia] is an inquisitive and independent learner; when there is something that she’s not sure about, she takes the initiative to clarify things on her own. That’s one of the most important values [for a student] to have.”

Mr. Hong Yang also expresses his hopes that Jia’s passion for coding allows her to see the world in a different perspective. “[Applying] what she learns in her hobbies and everyday life is the best source of motivation, and with motivation, that brings a greater drive to improve,” he says.

Jia agrees, stating that “Learning how to code [has helped] me better understand the way systems work and how the digital world runs.” Using the critical thinking and problem-solving skills she has picked up, Jia also believes that programming will benefit her in her “biggest dream;” a future career in mass communication and motorsports.

Acknowledging the progress she has made since embarking on her coding journey two years ago, Jia humbly expresses her gratitude, “The teachers at [The Lab Singapore] have taught me so many new skills that I don’t think I would have been able to learn myself.”

Jia’s story is a testament to the impact of proper mentorship and a supportive environment. The Lab Singapore, with its commitment to nurturing young talents, has provided Jia and other young female coders with the tools, guidance, and opportunities necessary to thrive and realise their full potential. We encourage girls to embrace their abilities and pursue their dreams, regardless of societal expectations, facing the world as the new generation of innovative minds that will continue to shape our digital future.

The Lab Singapore hopes that the barriers that once hindered female participation in STEM related fields continue to crumble, opening doors for a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.

 
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Code Quest Lockheed Martin 2023

Embracing New Challenges with a Promising First Step — Code Quest 2023
 
The Lab Singapore is excited to announce that on 29th April 2023, three of our talented students showcased their coding prowess at Code Quest, a prestigious global coding competition held annually by Lockheed Martin. While this year’s event took place virtually in Singapore, Code Quest also attracted participants from 17 physical sites around the world.
 
As a first-time participant, The Lab Singapore’s team, comprising Joshua Ng, Isaac Yeo, and Seagate Lim, displayed remarkable passion and determination in the APAC region. Among the 31 teams that competed in this highly challenging arena, our team secured a commendable 15th position overall. In the Novice Division, which comprised 13 teams, we achieved an outstanding 4th rank.

At The Lab Singapore, we value and acknowledge the efforts and progress of our students. The team’s achievement at Code Quest highlights their growth and the skills they have acquired through our comprehensive Competitive Programming course. We take pride in our students’ commitment to competing among some of the brightest coding talents in the region regardless of their stage in the coding journey.

Mr. Albert, a teacher at The Lab Singapore, commented on the benefits of such competitions, saying, “Lockheed Martin is one of the largest companies in the aerospace, military support, security, and technologies industry. Questions coming from these engineers have a lot of relevance to what solving real-life problems are about.”

Competitions like Code Quest not only assess the abilities of young coders, but also serve as valuable learning and growth opportunities. In an environment where mistakes are not explicitly pointed out, students are encouraged to think critically about their code and approach problems from various perspectives. This ability can be challenging to develop when students are solely taught through a step-by-step process.

According to Mr. Albert, “Genuine coding proficiency can only be achieved when the learning process delves deeper.” Adapting a vast knowledge base for coding requires significant modifications to teaching materials, supporting systems, and instructional styles to cater to the needs of children. “Striking a delicate balance between imparting technical skills and avoiding overwhelming young learners is crucial,” he said, as he highlighted the commitment that The Lab Singapore upholds.

The Lab Singapore is dedicated to empowering students with the necessary technical skills, nurturing their passion for coding, and fostering a new generation of innovative minds ready to shape our digital future. We warmly invite aspiring coders from all backgrounds and levels of experience to join us in our comprehensive programmes. 

More information about our various programmes is available on our website here.

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Coderz League – Spring League Winners 2023

The Lab Singapore proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of three exceptional students, Lionel Soh, Lucas Loh, and Theo McGill, who recently showcased their talent and teamwork in the CoderZ Spring League, a global virtual robotics and coding tournament . Under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Alson, these young minds demonstrated exceptional ingenuity and collaboration, paving their way to success.

Competing against other talented participants from around the world, Lionel, Lucas, and Theo harnessed their coding skills and creative problem-solving abilities to navigate intricate challenges presented by the tournament. Their remarkable synergy and collective efforts propelled them to secure an impressive 8th place in the preliminaries, placing them among the top contenders.

Mr. Alson commended their perseverance and collaborative effort, stating, “With the challenges being so open-ended, it’s easy [for the kids] to get stuck trying to optimise their own way of solving the challenge, even if it may not be the most optimal. Having teammates [to rely on] enabled them to try different [approaches] before settling on a solution.”

 

However, the trio’s first foray into team-based coding competitions do not end here; in fact, it is only the beginning.

 

As a coding school that values teamwork and innovation, The Lab Singapore believes that participating in such competitions not only enhances technical skills but also fosters essential qualities like collaboration, communication, and problem solving skills. It provides students with a platform to apply their knowledge, unleash their creativity, and gain invaluable experiences that can even benefit them outside of the coding sphere.

 

As such, The Lab Singapore is proud to support its students in the upcoming National Robotics Competition(NRC) 2023, organised by Science Centre Singapore, which promises to be an exciting team-based event that brings together the brightest young minds in robotics from across the nation. As an internal pre-selection process will be held in July, The Lab Singapore strongly encourages its students to seize this opportunity to showcase their talents and represent the centre on a national stage.

 

More information regarding NRC 2023 will be sent to all existing members of The Lab Singapore soon.

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What to watch out for when your child uses ChatGPT?

What to watch out for when your child uses ChatGPT?
 

If your child is using ChatGPT, there are several things you should watch out for to ensure they are using the tool safely and responsibly. Here are a few key considerations:

Inappropriate content: ChatGPT can generate responses to a wide range of prompts, including those that may be inappropriate for children. It’s important to monitor your child’s use of the tool and ensure they are not exposed to any content that is inappropriate or harmful.

Misinformation: While ChatGPT is capable of generating human-like responses, it is not always accurate or reliable. It’s important to teach your child to critically evaluate the information they receive from ChatGPT and verify it with other sources.

Plagiarism: This is a hot topic and potentially disrupting the education industry in terms of grading someone’s work. ChatGPT can be used to generate content automatically, which could potentially lead to issues with plagiarism. Teach your child about the importance of citing sources and avoiding using ChatGPT to create plagiarized work.

For more information on ChatGPT:

 
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Introducing The Lab Coder World Map

We are thrilled to share with you some exciting news about a recent upgrade to our school’s system – The Lab Coder World Map. It serves to provide our students with an enhanced learning experience. Our latest upgrade enables our students to track their curriculum progression using a school customized world map in their student portal.

We believe that this new feature will make a significant impact on the way our students learn and grow. It is a testament to our commitment to providing the best education possible for our students, and we are excited to share it with you.

Here are some comments from our excited students:

“This is great! I can now see where I am in the curriculum!” – Student (Age 11)

“This will motivate me to go faster.” – Student (Age 12)

“Now I can see where my friends are at as well!” – Student (Age 10)

For more details, log into your student portal now!

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What is ChatGPT?

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a natural language processing AI model that generates human-like responses to prompts, designed to facilitate various language-based tasks and interactions.

Why is everyone talking about ChatGPT?

There are several reasons why ChatGPT has gained a lot of attention recently. One of the many reasons is that it has the potential to disrupt traditional industries in major ways.

How will ChatGPT disrupt the education industry?

ChatGPT has the potential to disrupt the education industry in several ways. Here are some of the key possibilities:

Personalized learning: ChatGPT can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students by generating content tailored to their individual needs and learning styles. This could revolutionize the way we approach education and help students achieve better outcomes.

Language translation: ChatGPT can be used to facilitate language translation in real-time, allowing students and teachers from different linguistic backgrounds to communicate more effectively. This could help break down language barriers and create more inclusive learning environments.

Intelligent tutoring: ChatGPT can be used to create intelligent tutoring systems that provide real-time feedback and guidance to students. This could help students learn more efficiently and effectively, while also freeing up teachers to focus on more complex tasks.

Automated grading: ChatGPT can be used to automate the grading of assignments, quizzes, and exams. This could help teachers save time and reduce the burden of grading, while also providing students with more timely and accurate feedback.

Overall, the potential applications of ChatGPT in education are vast and could fundamentally transform the way we teach and learn. Let’s embrace technology! 

Links:

Use ChatGPT: https://chatgptonline.net/

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Meet Lucas Loh! – His Learning Journey with The Lab Singapore

Meet Lucas!

Lucas is not your typical 11 year old. Like many boys his age, he loves his computer games  – but he is also passionate in programming.

His mom quoted, “He loves playing coding games (particularly Clash of Code)”.

“Coding is sometimes fun and sometimes difficult. If you can solve the question, you feel good.” says Lucas.

Early Beginnings

Lucas’s journey began at an early age with a robotics school in the East.

“I love Lego and my parents enrolled me into a robotics school while walking in a shopping mall one day!”

Unfortunately, as much as Lucas loved Lego/robotics, his journey was cut short as the learning environment did not suit him.

Months later, Lucas’s mum came across The Lab Singapore and enrolled him. Since then, his skills and enthusiasm have gone from strength to strength.

Lucas has been a student of The Lab since 2019. His humble beginnings of programming begun with The Lab Junior Program for ages 7-9 years old. Lucas did not start out as a star. He was a normal student like anyone else. He was not the fastest or smartest in class. Yet, it was The Lab’s learning style that allowed him to thrive in the class. 

The Lab strongly believes in learning without boundaries. What that means is that we give students the required amount of time for them to learn and understand, especially when programming can be quite complex. Each student are given their individual tasks and leaning journey. Through this way of learning. Lucas blossomed.

To date, he has completed The Lab Coder Program and is now in The Lab X Competitive Programming Course. 

Last August, Lucas competed in one of the largest coding competitions in Singapore, the Coding Olympics Singapore 2022, held by the Singapore Science Centre.

More than 100 primary schools in Singapore with thousands of students participated in this single event and Lucas emerged as one of the winners under Category B. 

Days before the competition, he said nonchalantly “The practice questions are so easy!”.

The Lab is highly fortunate to have aspiring programmers like Lucas who enjoy coding and appreciate The Labs unique teaching style.

We hope that Lucas’s story will inspire more young coders to take up programming and one day be as passionate as Lucas!

What does Lucas wants to say to you, aspiring coders?

“You must have interest to do coding because it takes a lot of patience. MOST IMPORTANTLY, never give up! “

What does Lucas’s mom has to say about us?

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Coding Olympics Singapore 2022 – The Lab Singapore Winners

Congratulations to our Coding Olympics Participants!
 

On 6 August, 42 of our students set out to compete in one of the biggest coding competition in Singapore, the Coding Olympics Singapore 2022*, held by the Singapore Science Centre. All of our students have fought very hard and we are proud of those who have participated. <Remember, it is the experience that counts!>

We have emerged victorious with 3 of our winners bagging the Category A and B of the competition among the thousands of participants across Singapore.

Congratulations to them for a job well done! It is an incredible milestone for these young coders and an inspiration for our students. We hope to see more of our students participate in the competition next year.

Once again, congratulations to all!

* The Coding Olympics Singapore is prized as Singapore’s largest National Coding competition for kids (ages 8-12 years old).

 

Create DSA Portfolios by joining competitions:

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