Post Light Pollution Event

The response for the light pollution event did not look good. However, this seemed to be a blessing in disguise.

Only about 30 people turned up. Other schools cannot make it due to other committments. Nevertheless, the event still went on.

Overall, the participants seemed to enjoy the whole event.

The star-gazing session was the most memorable as we got to see planets such as Saturn and Jupiter. We also saw Jupiter's moon, Titan and Earth's own moon. The sight of the Moon's crater was magnificent.

We also saw different types of stars.

Although the response was not as good as planned, it was still our first event and there are bound to be mistakes and the committee will learn from this event and make subsequent events a more successful one.

A big thank you to all those who turned up on 25 May !

Wei Pin (OS for Light Pollution Event)

Final Details of Light Pollution Event

The details for the light pollution event has been comfirmed.

Details: 25 May 2007
Venue: LT2 and School Field
Time: 1830 - 2130
Cost: Free

Light refreshments will be provided.

We will start off with a short introduction to global warming.
After which, Mr. Philip Chan will be giving a talk on light pollution and sharing his efforts to reduce light pollution.
After the light refreshments, Dr. Phil Chan will be giving an introductory talk on astronomy.
After the talk, we will have a star-gazing session at the school field where we will get to see planets and some stars !!

So come down and join us on 25 May !!

See you there,
Wei Pin

Light Pollution Meeting 3

During today's meeting, the members of the light pollution group finalised the timeline of event for the event on 25th May. The next step now is to let the teachers have a look at this timeline and finalise the details out.

On a side note, Philemon will be doing the brochure for light pollution to be distributed during open house. Philemon will also be discussing with his brother on more details regarding the logistics and the event itself.

After all the things above are completed, the final details can be crafted out and invitations can be sent to other schools.

Wei Pin

Updates On Environment Projects

Here are the latest updates for the light pollution & recycling project:

1. Light Pollution:
As mentioned earlier, we would only be holding a (talk + star-gazing) event on 25 May from 1800 to 2200. Details are undergoing planning now.
Overview:

• Invite other roots & shoots members & neighbouring schools
• Advertise light pollution during open house through poster and brochure
• Website to be set up for participants to pledge their committment towards conserving electricity (they can also share their experiences when they actually conserve electricity)

2. Recycling:

The main focus of this project has been shifted to a Youth Environment Symposium in which various local schools will be invited to share their environmental project ideas. It is a one day off event. Tentative date to be held will be in June - July. Details are also undergoing planning now. If successful, next year we will be inviting schools from other countries to join us (international participation/collaboration).

Therefore, a series of events have been planned by the environment department. First starting off with the light pollution event and then the Youth Environment Symposium.

That's all,

Wei Pin

Light Pollution Meeting 2

After the meeting with Ms Cheong today, we decided not to hold a workshop. But rather to carry out a talk + star-gazing event only - probably an evening event, starting from 6p.m and end at 10p.m

Since we have already decided to hold a talk + star-gazing event, details have to be worked out soon. Therefore, we have to contact Philip for more details of what he is going to talk about and draft out a workplan soon.

Philip will be contacted during the weekend and another meeting will be held next week to draft out workplan.

That's all,
Wei Pin

Light Pollution Meeting 1

It's been awhile since the group has really set down to discuss about the light pollution project. Therefore, a meeting was held today to start working out details. Ideas that are currently in mind are:

1. Organise a talk and then a star-gazing session
2. Organise a 1-3 days workshop/overnight camp with lectures, activities and games related to light pollution/stuffs directly linked and indirectly linked to light pollution.

At the same time, to bring this project to a global level. After all the talks and activities, a website can be set up to garner people to pledge their committment to conserve energy (somewhat indirectly related to light pollution). Thus, we can get roots and shoots members in other countries to write their pledge too.

The sale of light bulbs has been taken out as it's not really feasible.
Philemon has gone back to consult his brother, Philip and his father on what is the feasibility and possibility of the above two options.

Therefore, there will be a meeting on 10/04/2007 to further discuss and work out the concrete details.

For recycling:
The recycling group has came out with more concrete ideas for their recycling project. One of these includes a Youth Environment Conference (YEC) where environmetalists will gather and share their ideas in a conference style.

The feasibility of this YEC still needs to be evaluated and approved by the teachers.

That's all !

PWP

Proposal Presentation 1

The environment department presented their proposal on light pollution and recycling today.

Here are the various points asked/raised/discussed:

1. Light pollution

• Our objectives were not focused enough (great complexity in our project)
• Questioned about our ability to be able to convince the whole population that our project is worth it. (eg. why should they change their bulbs?)
• Case study of Japan and Korea to know more about their efforts towards changing light bulbs.

2. Recycling

• More feasible idea - come up with a programme package for primary school children ; a creative approach to promote recycling amongst primary school children ; different methods to approach the topic of recycling
• Proposed "recycling day" needs more refinement

These are the points raised today.

Groups, please look into the roots and shoots website to look for potential roots and shoots members to collaborate with us so that we can take our projects global.

At the same time, do take some time to look at some of the existing projects that are inside the project database. Perhaps, we can modify some of the ideas or some inspiration will be generated from these existing ideas.

At the same time, please take a look at Saturday's (24/02/2007) Straits Times. Under the Saturday section, page 12. This article talks about Australia banning the use of incandescent bulbs and pushing for fluorescent bulbs. From nothing to a ban in incandescent bulbs, great push isn't it? Can we model it?

Similarly, in Sunday's (25/02/2007) Sunday Times, page 22. The article talks about "vampire" sockets. Not sure what they are? Read the article about it ! At the same time, it mentions about global warming, carbon emisisons in general.

Lastly, I will like to draw your attention to today's (26/02/2007) Straits Times. Under Home Section, page 6. This article talks about the measures taken/planned/proposed by the Singapore government to cut down carbon emissions and to cope with climate change. This article might just make you have some ideas for other possible environmental-related projects (a collaboration with a government organisation?).

Woa ! See, there are so many articles on the newspapers to help generate ideas for projects. So do look out in the newspapers for these articles. You might want to cut out these articles and keep them for reference in the future. This can also act as a brainstorming process. For those who do not have the newspapers and would like to have one copy of the article, please let me know and I will pass you the article.

Thanks !

Wei Pin