Applied Learning Programme
Edgefield's Applied Learning Programme equips students with problem-solving, entrepreneurial, and future-ready skills. Explore how the G.E.M. programme prepares students to tackle real-world challenges.
The Applied Learning Programme (ALP) of the school, G.E.M "Growing the Edgefield Mindset" programme aims to develop Edgefielders with capabilities that prepare them for the future in view of rapid global changes.
From honing skills and competencies in critical and inventive thinking skills, collaborative skills, to advanced life skills such as alertness-to-opportunity, to bouncing back from failures, G.E.M equips our students with advanced problem-solving skills to become Entre/Intrapreneur in line with the school’s vision of nurturing “Collaborative Innovators, Compassionate Leaders”.
The thoughtful design of the G.E.M. programme draws upon the insights and perspectives of future trends taken from both local and global sources of intelligence, including the Strategy Group in the Prime Minister's Office, World Economic Forum, and Institute of Policy Studies (Singapore).
Future Ready Programme
An earthquake hits. Mayhem breaks out. There is news of missing people who might be trapped somewhere. They have 8 minutes to evacuate or they may not survive. Edgefield’s search team immediately gets to work to survey the surroundings and locate the victims. But how is the small team going to search 8000 square metres within that short span of time? By programming and deploying drones! The drones will give them an aerial perspective of the situation and help them observe signs of human life as well as obtain critical information to direct the rescue team to the right locations.
This exciting simulation is part of Edgefield’s thoughtfully crafted Future Ready ProgrammeTM (FRP) to prepare students for the future.
That’s not all. Other scenarios include commissioning a task force to tackle nationwide food scarcity and water shortage through urban farming and water harvesting methods, setting up an innovative social experiment to enable Singaporeans to experience the impact of a diverse society and building a physical model of a floating city which can be implemented in the event of critical sea levels.
These are but a few examples of the FRP which ensures that our students are equipped with key skills of the future, such as complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity (Future of Jobs report, OECD) and keep pace with future developments through a series of keystone programmes. Students have opportunities to see the relevance of the skills they have acquired through various platforms, such as the MOE Innovation Programme (MOE IvP), SIT Community Challenge, Future Skills Day and Future Problem Solving Programme (FPSP). FPSP is an international competition where students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to hypothetical future situations. Edgefield’s Future Ready Programme looks at current technological, geo-political, and societal trends and projects those trends 20 to 30 years into the future, training students to develop solutions to the challenges they may face as adults.
Besides being ‘exam-smart’ and ‘book-smart’, an Edgefielder is also ‘street-smart’ and world-ready.
See students in action here:
Growing the Edgefield Mindset
Are there skills you think you can never pick up in school? Well, maybe not at Edgefield!
From honing skills and competencies in business management and marketing, to advanced life skills such as alertness-to-opportunity and bouncing back from failures, Edgefield’s Applied Learning Programme, “Growing the Edgefield Mindset” (G.E.M), equips you with advanced problem-solving skills to become an Entre/Intrapreneur! Put the skills and competencies developed through the Future Ready Programme to good use, solving real-world problems and benefiting the community using a multi disciplinary approach. For example, learn about the challenges faced by the visually impaired during an FRP learning journey, draw inspiration, and use the Content Creator and Game Design modules to produce engaging videos and exciting games. Bring it all together in a fundraising campaign that raises awareness and generates support for the visually impaired!
G.E.M culminates in ARTasFEST, a milestone carnival attracting more than 5000 participants! Design your own Escape Room, collaborate with entrepreneurs, run your own pop-up store, concoct your favourite drinks, host Instagram marketing campaigns, acquire deep learning and then find yourself suffering from ARTasFEST withdrawal symptoms!
View the action here:
https://youtu.be/tK1GxvZ14TQ
https://youtu.be/kCtQEuBYv58
ARTasFEST 2025: Ignite the Spark, Illuminate the Future
On 23 May 2025, Edgefield Secondary School came alive with energy and excitement as students, staff, parents, alumni, and community partners gathered for ARTasFEST 2025, our biennial school carnival themed “Ignite the Spark, Illuminate the Future.” Organised as a signature platform of the school's Applied Learning Programme (ALP), ARTasFEST provided students with an authentic opportunity to apply their learning beyond the classroom while showcasing their creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.
The carnival was largely student-led, with students taking ownership of planning and running various aspects of the event. Secondary 1 students worked with vendors to curate merchandise booths, while Secondary 2 students coordinated food and beverage offerings. Secondary 3 students designed and operated original carnival games, and student groups such as the Prefectorial Board & Peer Support Leaders contributed special booths that added variety and excitement to the event. The evening also featured a vibrant outdoor concert, where student performers, emcees, and the audio-visual crew showcased their talents before a lively audience.
Beyond the festivities, ARTasFEST served as a meaningful platform for students to develop Emerging 21st Century Competencies. Students demonstrated adaptive thinking as they responded to real-time challenges, inventive thinking through the design of games and event experiences, communication skills in engaging vendors and visitors, and collaboration skills as they worked across committees to bring the event to life. Through these authentic experiences, students exercised voice, agency, and ownership while contributing to a shared vision for the school community.
The event attracted strong participation from students, parents, alumni, and community members, fostering school pride and strengthening community connections. ARTasFEST 2025 was a celebration not only of student talent and innovation, but also of the values embodied by Edgefield students as Collaborative Innovators and Compassionate Leaders.
You can also check out our live Instagram updates of the event @efss_artasfest
View the ARTasFEST 2025 action here:
