The early childhood years are crucial to a child’s development. The GROW programme contributes to the development of the early childhood sector by developing innovative curriculum for children’s holistic development, and building sectoral capability.

Over four years, the GROW Outdoor Learning Project aims to reach 200 preschools to: • Develop an outdoor learning pedagogy and practices relevant to the tropics; • Develop training in and resources for outdoor learning through a ground-up approach; • Create a strongly entrenched and self-sustaining Community-of-Practice (CoP) for outdoor learning amongst early childhood educators; and • Build up a body of knowledge on the effectiveness and practices of outdoor learning in preschools through evaluation and research.

Several initiatives were launched to help the Singapore community cope with and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Home-Based Learning Support for Students To support home-based learning during the circuit break, the Infocomm Media Development Authority, NCS Pte Ltd, Singtel, Temasek and Temasek Foundation came together to provide over 200 laptops and 80 data plans to 12 special education schools, specialised schools and early intervention centres to meet the needs of their students.

‘Learn Together with Me’ Channel 8 Series From 15 April to 28 April, Temasek Foundation supported the airing of “乐学每疫刻” (Learn Together with Me) on MediaCorp Channel 8. The series spanned 10 30-minute episodes, and was targeted at seniors during the circuit breaker period.

Besides learning art and crafts, home exercises, cooking, sing-alongs, dances and IT skills, viewers also received public education messages such as how to improve their physical and mental well-being, the importance of social distancing as well as how to do proper handwashing techniques etc.

Extension of operating hours for AIC Hotline In recognition that seniors and caregivers may require more assistance during the pandemic, and especially so during the circuit breaker period, Temasek Foundation partnered the Agency for Integrated Care to extend operating hours for the AIC Hotline.

Hawker Food Delivery Programme In a partnership with The Food Bank Singapore, Temasek Foundation provided 34,000 meals to vulnerable beneficiaries from May 2020. These meals were purchased from hawkers located in hawker centres across the island, so as to support those whose businesses had been adversely affected by the circuit breaker. The meals were delivered to families in need by unemployed or low-income workers looking to supplement their income, along with volunteers.

Meal Support for Students To help students from disadvantaged backgrounds cope with the pandemic, Temasek Foundation provided meal support to identified students from specialised and special education schools who may not have adequate family support and may have had to return to school during the home-based learning period.

Food Aid Programme (low-income individuals) In partnership with Free Food For All and Willing Hearts, 270,000 meals were delivered to 1,500 persons from April 2020 for a period of six months. The meals are to support low-income individuals living in rental flats, as well as the non-ambulant and those with pre-existing conditions such as arthritis and dementia. In addition, 60 tonnes of uncooked rice was donated to Willing Hearts by T-Touch, the staff volunteer arm of Temasek.

Food Support with Love Programme In a partnership with SATS Ltd and Singapore Airlines, Temasek Foundation provided more than 100,000 free ready-to-eat meals and 11,000 snacks to households in need, benefitting more than 2,800 households with timely food security and relief.

My Mental Health Resource Site My Mental Health is a resource hub of mental health information to support persons who may be struggling with mental wellness during COVID-19. In addition to information, tips and other resource articles contributed by mental health professionals, the site contains a comprehensive directory of services, and features online forums and support groups where users can seek support for their mental health needs.

This programme equips students with effective communication, thinking and community building skills. Students leveraged their mathematical and scientific knowledge to prototype solutions to contribute to the well-being of people within the community. Some of these community projects include recycled gardening and e-waste management.

The masterclasses and workshops, conducted by musicians from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, aim to build a community of support for players of a particular instrument. Additionally, workshops conducted in primary schools are avenues to identify young musical talents. Through these classes, Singapore National Youth Orchestra seeks to boost students’ confidence in performance and prepare them for auditions.

The GROW programme contributes to the development of the early childhood sector by developing innovative curriculum for children’s holistic development, and building sectoral capability.

Recognising that a key success factor for effective deployment of curricula is the availability of materials and resources for teachers’ use, Temasek Foundation supports Kindred Studio's creation of a materials hub as a shared service for preschools.

Kindred Studio supports the preschool educators community by providing them with recyclable materials for use by preschoolers in creativity-based projects, and equipping educators with creative ideas and competencies through sustainability-related workshops and events.

The flagship international programme of Civil Service College, the Leaders in Governance Programme (LGP) provides an overview of Singapore’s governance and public policies, as well as a space to discuss regional and global trends. Participants comprising public sector leaders, usually numbering around 30-35, have opportunities to engage with Singapore’s political and public service leaders, as well as to network and exchange perspectives with one another. The social activities of LGP have been supported by Temasek Foundation since 2017.

Every day, some 30,000 primary school children go to student care centres (SCCs) after school. Temasek Foundation developed the Learning is Fun and Exciting (LIFE) Programme with the goal of enriching the afternoons of these children who spend time at SCCs. The programme features a values-based curricula and training opportunities are developed for staff in SCCs. The curricula incorporates core values such as respect, responsibility, resilience, integrity, care and harmony. We have also partnered organisations such as SHINE and Ngee Ann Polytechnic to make available foundational skills courses.

As of March 2019, the LIFE Programme has more than 100 coaches in 18 SCCs, impacting 1,600 students.

The MCurie programme creates more opportunities for Mathematics and Science education among female students. The programme reaches out to about 100 female primary school students each year, enabling them to hone mathematical, scientific and inquiry skills through a variety of hands-on workshops. Activities include trying out different scientific experiments, mastering basic computer coding and learning geometry through origami.

The MCurie programme also encourages young girls to pursue Mathematics and Science at the secondary level.

Singapore Symphony Orchestra organises concerts designed for young people to increase their appreciation of classical music. Reaching out to more than 30,000 local and young audience members, these performances provide opportunities for Singaporeans to enjoy classical tunes with their families and friends at no charge.

Through workshops and a structured four-day camp, this programme aims to develop scientific competencies and inspire students outside NUS High to continue their pursuit of STEM.

The workshops reach out to some 500 Primary 5 and 6 students in all primary schools, as well secondary and Junior College students.

A new initiative co-organised by Temasek Foundation and Young NTUC, and supported by the National Youth Council, the Programme seeks to help young Singaporeans be future-ready for career opportunities in ASEAN through networking and career mentorship. It comprised an ASEAN Conference highlighting key industry trends and developments in ASEAN; an ASEAN Showcase sharing resources and information on business culture in ASEAN; followed by an ASEAN Mentorship serving to connect youths with career guides who have had work experience in the ASEAN region.

The NUS High School Scholarships are offered to Primary 6 students gifted in Mathematics and Science, to encourage them to pursue their talent at the secondary level.

Students who have excelled in Mathematics and Science at NUS High School (NUSHS) are awarded the NUS High School Tay Eng Soon Scholarship. This Scholarship is presented to students in the higher years who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of and achieved excellence in, Mathematics and Science learning.

In addition to these schoolarships, the NUS High School Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal is presented to one outstanding student of the graduating cohort who exemplifies the spirit of scientific pursuit and excellence.

Overseas training and competitions allow student-athletes to gain more experience from international and higher quality playing standards. They also provide student-athletes with the opportunity to train with other top youth athletes from other countries, as well as expose them to different climate conditions and competition pressure. Student-athletes can therefore benchmark against the best, motivating them to push their boundaries and stretching their potential as they prepare for future international competitions.

The pilot programme provides holistic care in the community for patients with moderate to advanced Parkinson's Disease and their caregivers, to improve their wellbeing and reduce the need for hospitalisation. Care is provided by trained Community Nurses from Singapore General Hospital, supported by a multidisciplinary care team.

This service is provided at Community Nurse Posts, conveniently located at Senior Activity Centres, or in patients’ homes, if they are not able to visit the Posts. This community-based support aims to complement the scheduled hospital visits and provide support within the community for sudden changes in the patients' condition.

The programme allows SOTA to invite students from primary schools to rehearse with their music ensembles, and participate in showcases as guest musicians or performers. In 2018, about 370 primary school students attended the Percussion showcase organised by SOTA. The interaction between students from SOTA and primary schools with brass bands increases students’ awareness of the range and possibilities of music-making using percussion instruments.

Numeracy is a critical life skill and should be acquired in early childhood as it forms the foundation for mathematics learning in school later. Research has shown that parental involvement is important for children’s learning during their early childhood years.

In a partnership with Yayasan Mendaki, Temasek Foundation is supporting an early intervention programme to equip Malay/Muslim parents from lower-income families with early numeracy skills so that they can become learning companions to their preschool children. The programme will also establish a support and learning network for parents.

The programme will benefit up to 1,625 children from lower-income Malay/Muslim families.

A rare disease is one which affects fewer than one in 2,000 patients. Most rare diseases are genetic, and often diagnosed at birth or during early childhood. Medicines are available for some which can improve lifespan and quality of life, allowing patients to live relatively normal lives. Nonetheless, these medicines tend to be very expensive.

To help Singaporean children diagnosed with rare diseases, Temasek Foundation is contributing to the Rare Disease Fund (RDF) administered by KKH. The Fund will provide long term financial support for medication for these children. For more information on RDF, visit: www.kkh.com.sg/giving/Documents/Rare-Disease-Fund/index.html.

Up to 18 Singaporean children will be supported by this programme.

The pilot programme seeks to improve the quality of life of elderly in nursing homes through equine therapy and study its effectiveness. This is a first-of-its-kind evidence-based study to validate the effectiveness of equine therapy among seniors.

The programme will benefit up to 800 elderly residents in nursing homes.

Increasingly, lower-income families with young children are employing foreign domestic helpers to help with caregiving needs as both parents often need to work to maximise household income.

To support these families, the pilot programme aims to equip domestic workers in basic caregiving of young children. This includes helping them understand the developmental milestones of young children aged 18 months to six years old, as well as how to manage their behavioural and emotional issues.

The programme seeks to support up to 500 lower income or disadvantaged Singaporean families.

Refreshing Traditions seeks to create greater understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritage and to revitalise traditional art forms, such as Chinese Opera, Dikir Barat, Bharatanatyam Dance and Rattan Weaving, through a series of workshops and masterclasses which give students greater exposure to these art forms.

The Singapore Chinese Music Competition, previously organised by the National Arts Council, will be under the wing of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) in 2020. The competition aims to develop the performing skills of young musicians, and identify promising new talents.

The competition in 2020 will include a community element to encourage greater appreciation of Chinese orchestral music. Besides the current solo and ensemble categories, SCO plans to expand the Competition's categories to include educational institutions and community Chinese orchestras.

Each year, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra will perform in various schools, as well as at community venues. The concerts aim to raise awareness and expose students to classical orchestra music. Students and those around them get to learn more about orchestral music and the different types of instruments. The concerts also serve to inspire interest in the performing arts, and develop a sense of pride among young musicians.

The programmes provide training and development opportunities to academic leaders and staff for their professional growth. In 2018, 11 teachers benefitted from programmes to enhance their capabilities in using ICT in education, as well as in their leadership and mentoring skills.

In the next phase of the school's professional development, academic staff will be trained to carry out action research to further Mathematics and Science education. For example, a semestral teacher exchange programme with the Korea Science Academy (KSA) supports knowledge exchange and collaboration between NUSHS and KSA, exposing our teachers to different teaching pedagogies, assessment and research methodologies and values from a top science school.

In a partnership with Nexus, Ministry of Defence, Temasek Foundation is distributing the 'Singapore, My Little Red Dot' activity book and a companion adventure box for pre-schoolers to learn about emergency preparedness and staying prepared, as well as values such as unity, teamwork, vigilance and resilience.

The book and adventure box can be used separately or together as a values education resource in the classroom or at home. 89,000 copies of the book will be given to K1 and K2 children in preschools and EIPIC (Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children) Centres, while 9,500 adventure boxes will be distributed to over 1,900 pre-schools.

A study was commissioned to study the nutritional habits of newly-wed Malay/Muslim women and the role of mosques in enhancing child development. The study will lead to a framework for a programme to be piloted at a later date. The study sought to understand the perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of Malay/Muslim women pre, post and during pregnancy in the context of nutrition.

In 2017, the first study on the emergency preparedness of the Singapore community was conducted to measure the perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of individuals and families in Singapore towards emergency preparedness. With the findings, several Stay Prepared programmes were implemented.

This second study seeks to understand the impact of recent programmes, identify new gaps in needs, and measure shifts in perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of individuals, families and the community.

The study will also develop a scorecard to measure and track emergency preparedness in the community and identify areas for new Stay Prepared programmes.

The Temasek History Research Centre focuses on Singapore’s premodern history, its economic and socio-cultural links to the region, as well as its historic role as a trading centre. The centre pursues historical research from the 14th to the 19th century, from the emergence of Temasek to cover the Majapahit Empire which included present-day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, Philippines and East Timor. A key aspect of the Centre’s work focuses on strengthening the understanding and interest of young Singaporeans in Singapore’s history and her connections to the region.

The centre’s main programmes, supported by Temasek Foundation, are the Singapore and the Region Programme; the Southeast Asian Heritage Programme; and the Archaeology Programme for Students.

The Tesla Initiative develops the maker mindset and pioneering spirit in students by engendering a maker culture, building required skillsets and providing the opportunities for them to learn independently. Students learn through learning journeys, workshops, job-shadowing programmes and short-term immersions in tech-based start-ups and high-value engineering companies.

Each year, close to 700 students participate in the following learning opportunities: • Design and Engineering modules to acquire technical skills through working with wood, plastic and electronics, as well as learning computer-aided design and programming as a basic skill. • Learning journeys to tech start-ups, engineering companies and STEM organisations. • A Research & Innovation Grant for students who come up with an innovation project and require funding for implementation.

Studies have shown the importance of touch in pre-term babies with weak immune systems and under-developed lungs. When held and touched regularly, their vital signs often improved and they have better developmental outcomes.

To support the growth and development of preterm, sick and neglected babies at KKH's neonatal wards, the pilot programme will train seniors in therapeutic touch, and engage them to help care for vulnerable babies alongside hospital nurses and family members.

Over 1,200 babies are expected to benefit.

To reach out to new and diverse audiences, Temasek Foundation supports Singapore Symphony Orchestra to expand its ticket subsidy scheme to make classical concerts more accessible and affordable for the public. This includes discounts for students, seniors and National Servicemen. Thus far, about 15,000 audience members have benefitted from this scheme.

Building on the Kids in Tough Situations (2014) and the Trauma Network for Children (2016), the enhanced Trauma Network for Children programme aims to: • Develop a community crisis response plan to complement national response initiatives • Build awareness of trauma in the pre-school sector, reaching out to some 480 teachers and parents in selected pre-schools to share the impact of trauma in children, and where, when and how to seek help • Strengthen the Trauma Care Learning Network to enable continuous learning by trauma-trained professionals in managing incidents of child crisis/trauma.

This programme provides holistic support to artistically talented students enrolled through SOTA’s Talent Academy, but are struggling with the academic demands of an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

These students receive academic support by the respective faculties through SOTA’s current programmes, and are coached by trained professionals to help them explore ways to better self-manage and strengthen their self-esteem.

The Youth Science Ambassador Programme (YSAP) aims to increase interest and knowledge of STEM topics, provide youths with opportunities to make an impact in the community and build character values.

A one-week camp was organised for 100 students from different schools which included a series of workshops that equipped them with skills and content knowledge in design thinking, science communication and prototyping. At the start of the camp, students were assigned a challenge statement to address certain community issues and each team would identify the needs, and explain the science behind their proposed solutions in the form of prototypes.

Students will then showcase their completed projects at community venues as part of outreach efforts.