Applied Learning Programme (ALP)

Introduction

“Green Explorers @ JS” is our school’s Applied Learning Programme (ALP) that focuses on sustainability through four themes – Conservation, Sustainable Living, Resilient Future, and Greening Our Home. The signature program aims to nurture eco-stewards who responsibly use resources and protect the natural environment through sustainable practices. Anchored in circular economy knowledge, sustainability concepts, and initiatives are integrated across subjects, providing platforms to engage students in sense-making and fostering deep learning to seed actionable change.

Through the Teach, Embed, and Live approach, the Eco-Stewardship Programme is designed and implemented by building on environmental efforts through the 4Cs: our curriculum, campus infrastructure, culture, and practices, along with ongoing partnerships with the community. The four themes of focus are aligned with the key pillars of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Through intentional and purposeful programming, students are motivated to develop habits, exercise agency, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Our signature program is aligned with the school’s vision of developing “Thriving Explorers, Mindful Leaders” with emerging 21st Century Competencies. These competencies shape values-driven Green Explorers who can problem-solve to address emerging environmental challenges, take mindful actions to reduce their carbon footprints, and contribute to a kinder and more sustainable future for all.

Teach

Through platforms such as Morning Express and assembly talks, JingShanites become aware of local and global environmental issues, such as global warming and climate change. They learn ways to combat these issues through the 3Rs, water and energy conservation, among others!

Morning Express is the school’s sustainability learning series, featuring presentations shared on a regular basis during morning assembly. Our expert teachers and Green Champs share sustainability concepts with the entire school as part of this initiative. This initiative aims to champion sustainability practices and foster a stronger sustainability culture within the school. Some themes prominently covered include ‘Reducing Food Waste,’ ‘Food Composting,’ and our ‘Farm-to-Table Initiative,’ supporting the Circular Economy Approach. Additionally, key environmental events such as World Water Day and Earth Day are celebrated through this platform.

To celebrate globally recognized environmental days, we organize exciting programs during assembly. We collaborate with partners such as NParks, Uniqlo, Apeiron Bioenergy, and the Singapore Food Agency to enhance students' understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Our focus extends beyond awareness to seed actionable change for sustainability, circular economy practices, and meaningful actions in support of a greener future.

Embed

Sustainability is extensively integrated across subject learning experiences and design challenges in signature modules. Student development experiences for all students and CCA Environmental Science Club members, as well as student leadership opportunities for Green Champs, enable them to pursue their interests and exercise agency for sustainability.  

At our school, integration of sustainability within the subject curriculum is a cornerstone of our educational approach. This whole-school approach aims to foster understanding of sustainability concepts across disciplines and deepen the language of sustainability to influence habits of thought and action. One example is as such.

As part of the school's efforts to foster student agency and enhance oral communication in Mother Tongue Language, students engage with Virtual Reality to explore food sustainability within various contexts, prominently featured in the school's campus infrastructure. Additionally, the Metaverse is utilized to educate students on water pollution and conservation.

Live

Defined as a social movement where farmers source ingredients from local farms or grow what they need themselves, the school has its very own Farm-To-Table Initiative! As part of the JS Design Protocol, Environmental Science Club CCA members survey canteen vendors before deciding which vegetables to grow and harvest using hydroponics. Students cultivate baby bak choy, lettuce, mustard greens, and kale for the school community to enjoy in a variety of ways. The harvested vegetables are presented to canteen stall holders to prepare meals for staff and students. Additionally, vegetables are distributed to teachers on salad days, guests at events, or taken home to be enjoyed with family members!

To cultivate mindful habits, such as minimizing food wastage, purchasing or ordering only what is needed, and reusing waste materials, both staff and students practise food waste recycling. Food waste is recycled into compost using strategically placed food composters in the school canteen and staff pantry. Environmental Science CCA members offload, weigh, and pack the compost termly. This compost serves as fertilizer for our plants, contributing to the sustainability of our green corridors. Additionally, it is regularly distributed to school staff for use in their home gardens.

Our educational walls, featuring gamification, support place-based learning and explain the intent behind our campus infrastructures—such as the indoor hydroponics systems and food waste composters. These campus enhancements increase student engagement through self-directed learning of sustainability topics, which include the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), food waste reduction, benefits of food composting, and understanding the carbon footprint generated from different types of food.

-       At the Green Explorers @ JS Learning Space, students explore through play to understand the environmental issues faced by different continents worldwide and gain global literacy about the 17 UN SDGs that continents are working towards to mitigate these issues.

-       Our Sprout Spot allows students to experience the joy of fresh produce while appreciating Singapore’s efforts to build a more resilient food future, developing Civic Literacy.

-       Our Food for Thought gamification wall explains food waste recycling and inspires the reduction of carbon footprint through thoughtful food choices, developing Critical and Adaptive Thinking.

-       The Charged for Change wall highlights energy conversions, conservation, and renewable energy, inspiring students to innovate clean solutions while showcasing the school's conservation efforts.

Greening @ JS brings our school’s corridors to life with vibrant greenery. Each class adopts potted plants, fostering responsibility and care for nature. Plant signages introduced in the campus gardens deepen students’ knowledge of different plant species. This initiative is part of the school’s efforts to promote planting habits, build a more informed campus community, and contribute to a greener environment—aligning with the ‘City in Nature’ vision in the SG Green Plan.

Our school is actively engaged in community outreach through partnerships with various organizations. These collaborations aim to extend the impact of our initiatives beyond the school premises, fostering positive change and contributing to the well-being of the broader community. Through these partnerships, we implement programs and projects that align with and advance our sustainability agenda. As of 2025, some of our esteemed partners include:

·         Apeiron Bioenergy, Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Recycling Programme: Our school community collects used cooking oil for recycling into biofuels.

·         Pure Imagination by Janice Wong, Singapore Origin Chocolate Community Project: In support of the One Million Trees movement and SG Green Plan for a City in Nature, Pure Imagination provided six cocoa trees for the school to plant in the school campus. The school leverages on this partnership to educate students about sustainable agriculture and the school’s effort to contribute to build a resilient food future.

·         Uniqlo, The Power of Clothing Schools Programme: Our school collaborates with family service centres to collect and redistribute pre-loved Uniqlo clothing, promoting the circular economy and reducing waste through the Neighbours Helping Neighbours Programme.

·         Food from the Heart, Clean Plate Campaign: Every year, JingShanites participate in the 3-day campaign which aims to raise awareness about food wastage and encourage JingShanites to pledge and support the movement. Our Green Champs serve as advocates, encouraging JingShanites to finish their meals with a clean plate during recess. For every clean plate, $1 is raised, contributing to feeding those in need.