In this month’s issue of Beyond the Classroom, we are proud to present to you, Adam – Chief Educator at The Science Bus. Adam is an advocate for informal learning and strongly believes that learning should extend beyond classrooms and into the great outdoors!
1. Describe yourself and what you do?
My students call me Mr Adam and I am an educator from The Science Bus and I specialise in inquiry-based teaching for life sciences. The Science Bus is a mobile enrichment company for children and families. We aim to bring Science closer to you!
2. Is there a story behind WHY you do what you do?/ To what extent have your talents/passions led you in any way to do what you do today?
I am an advocate for informal learning and strongly believe learning extends beyond the classroom. It all started from a snorkelling trip with my professor at a river back in Modesto, California. I was that high school boy that was in awe seeing the salmon swimming against the current and I got to swim amongst them. The experience is so overwhelming, I am still amazed at the thought of it now. I wish to share with my students such experiences in the heart of Singapore.
3. Share with us what you were like as a student and how school was like for you. In retrospect, how do you think that played a part in what you do now and who you have become?
I was a very active student who couldn’t sit still for a long period of time. Ever since young, I was out in the canals catching fishes, in the bushes looking for birds and spiders. It occurred to me, more and more children these days do not have that connection with nature anymore. The Science Bus aims to bring nature and the wild closer to our students. Apart from the wildlife, space and astronomy is one aspect we are exploring too!
4. How do you reinvent yourself? What motivates you?
Constantly being on the ground and continuously seek new knowledge. Being a wildlife photographer, I have met many mentors who have shared knowledge with me readily. Meeting new people provides fresh ideas and perspectives to chart The Science Bus journey.
5. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received or given? Or Share ONE life lesson and how it changed the way you approached life.
Be passionate about what you do – as simple as that.
6. The future-ready educator should…
Be adaptable and ever ready to learn new knowledge!
7. What have you just learnt recently that blew you away? /Share an example of a life that you impacted
Even with rapid urbanisation in Singapore, there are still so many different bird species that are able to thrive in the small pockets of forests and greenery that we have left. I am amazed by their adaptability.
8. How do you hope your business might do its part to transform or add value to the educational scene in Singapore?
As always we aim to make learning as accessible and fun as possible for children and parents.
