It is not an ordinary book that features science definitions; it is a dynamic dictionary that introduces children into the colourful world of science.  With interesting comics and standard science definitions, Dan’s Dynamic Dictionary on Science is fun to read and easily understood.

Dan used to be a slow learner. He struggled with memorizing scientific definitions. Luckily, he found his way learning science through doodling on his textbooks. Dan would like to share his drawings with us and lead us to discover the beauty of science in a humorous way.

Dan’s dynamic dictionary covers essential scientific terms in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for primary and secondary school students. It definitely reminds me of my school years struggling to memorize science definitions during examinations. I am surprised to find out that with colourful illustrations, science is made more interesting and appealing for me. For primary school children, the book is likely to ignite their interests to ponder deeper into the field of science. As for secondary school students who find memorizing science definitions a difficult task, they will find a new approach to understand science concepts.

What are you waiting for? Just come to the Little Arts Academy and put your hands on the book. You will be amazed how engaging science can be.

This guide book, which is ideal for primary and lower secondary school students, is sold at The Little Arts Academy at $15. All proceeds of the sale of the book will benefit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which fully-sponsors beneficiaries of the Fund in their arts education at The Little Arts Academy. To order this guide book, please contact us at enquirieslaa@toph.com.sg or 6513 3013.

Visit www.danscience.com to learn more about the book.

Between 20 and 22 May 2011, an arts and cultural exchange was held between Singaporean and Japanese beneficiaries. 19 beneficiaries of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, students from CHIJ (Kellock) and five Japanese children from Shakuji Gakuen came together to gain a greater understanding of the other’s cultures and traditions at the third International Children’s Arts Exchange (ICAE). For the children, it was not just about learning about a culture that is different from them, it was the friendship and camaraderie that they have gained in a short 3 days.

For the Japanese visitors, the first two days of the exchange was spent first with students of CHIJ (Kellock), and the next at popular tourist sites around Singapore such as the Singapore Flyer, Underwater World Singapore, Merlion Park and Chinatown. They also visited the Chinese Opera Teahouse where the similarities between Chinese opera and kabuki were explored.

On 22 May, a full day of arts workshops await them at The Little Arts Academy. The Japanese children were accompanied by the BTBAF beneficiaries and facilitated by student volunteer from the Singapore Management University. The first session was hip hop, which was conducted by our teacher Wan.  It was a hit with at least one child. “My favourite workshop was the hip-hop workshop as it was my first time doing hip-hop!”,says Miku Chikai, 12yrs old from Tokyo.

This was followed by a cooking workshop conducted by one of the LAA parents, Sarin. She taught the children the difference between Japanese and Malay curries, and the spices that were used for this dish. They also learnt to cook chicken curry, kueh dadar and roti kirai.

After lunch, the children create their own versions of the popular Japanese folktale Urashima Taro by drawing four different scenes in the stories, and changing the names and contexts of the characters.

“I was quite surprised by how all the children remembered even the smallest details of the story and each has a unique creativity.”, said Jacquelyn Tan, 21yrs old, SMU volunteer.

“Even though the Japanese students couldn’t speak English, they communicated very well with the Singaporean children through Art and through their animated actions – proving that language is no barrier when it comes to Art.”, says Warren Tan, 29yrs old, SMU volunteer.

The last two sessions were each on traditional Japanese and Singaporean games.

” My favourite part was learning to play Spinning Gasing! I made the top spin 9 times!” – Natsumi Tsukiji, 11yrs old from Tokyo

“Origami was my favourite part of the day. I learnt to make a ribbon, a ball and a hat! and I made new friends who taught me new skills in art so I can use this next time I make art at LAA.” – Karyn Poh, 7yrs old, a BTBAF student at LAA.

For the Japanese children, the excitement and smiles on their faces said it all about their first experience in Singapore.  They were all so excited and full of energy as they left Singapore for their home. For many of them, they have never been recognised nor felt love or attention from the others. And they did experience that though this trip. With this exchange, they know that they are not alone. This means a lot to them and to their future.

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The Programme

Key sessions of the cultural exchange programme include:

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Post-event reflections by SMU volunteers

Lim Yan Pin

“Helping run the workshop is an experience to treasure. I was initially worried about being unable to connect with the kids as I was the only student volunteer who could not converse in Japanese. However, the kids were very patient and polite, and one of them even took a liking to me straightaway! It was not all about us teaching them, for they taught me a lot more. They taught me that I do not need to speak their language to let them know I care about them, and that friendship can transcend cultural differences. The moments we shared that day will stay with us for a long time to come.”

Warren Tan Lik Wei

“The most memorable experience for me was the workshop “Drawing the Legend of Urashima Taro”. Working together, the children from Japan and Singapore had to modify the Japanese folklore to create a new story of their own. What transpired was a strange part Japanese, part Singaporean story. My group turned Urashima Taro into a boy called Bryan Ong!”

Last Friday morning, two wacky deejays, Jeremy Ratnam and Cheryl Miles, from FM91.3 descended upon The Little Arts Academy. Reason? Adelina won a free ride and breakfast to work, which was part of the DBS Driveshield promotions.

In the lead-up to The Little Arts Academy’s 2nd anniversary production, Tollins: An Explosive Tale By Children, between 18 to 20 November last year, a group of trainee teachers came by to extend their help as part of their Group Endeavours in Service Learning project. The reflections below describe their learning journeys.

“It is a great experience to be involved in the whole production. From helping with the making of the props to getting the kids ready for the performance, it is quite a rare chance for me to be part of such a production. I get to understand that it may be a very short production, it takes lots of effort to make it successful. It is very enlightening to see the kids smiling faces even though it is very tiring at the end of the show every night.”
- Chong Woon Hui

“This was my first experience in professional theatre and I am most impressed by the amount of coordination was required in order for a successful show. I am also deeply touched by the fact that there is a body of people willing to invest time and effort into less fortunate kids who have artistic inclinations, especially in an increasingly result oriented pragmatic Singapore.”
- Shaun Foo

“It was a wonderful treat to be working with the kids during the production. With effervescent smiles, they were eager to shine every night as they clamored to have their makeup and costumes done to perfection. It was a joy to see how happy and proud they were of themselves after every single show.”
- Idriaty Sabari

“Helping the Little Arts Academy (LAA) with their 2nd Anniversary Production was a very enriching and meaningful for me. Enriching because it not only offered me an opportunity to interact with a bunch of very endearing and talented children but for myself, this experience taught me the importance of trust and teamwork. It was very meaningful as the amount of passion the children have for their performances, be it singing, acting or dancing, thoroughly moved me. Thanks to LAA, children and young teens are able to positively channel their energies and pursue their aspirations. Thus, I am both delighted and grateful that I had a part to play in LAA’s Anniversary Production.”
- Clara Ann

“Looking back at the days spent at The Arts House (TAH) with the kids from LAA during LAA’s 2nd anniversary production, they were definitely time well spent. It was very fulfilling to know that the kids enjoyed themselves while performing as much as we did watching them from backstage. These kids were so always so full of energy, never complained even if they had to rerun for rehearsals. Though rehearsal days and actual performance days are back to back, they would always return the next day greeting us with enthusiasm in their eyes, looking forward to another great night of performance. Simply Professionals! From the time they practiced at the studios in LAA to the actual stage in TAH, I have seen how they have grown greatly in stage confidence. As a motherhen for the main cast, I am truly amazed by their level of professionalism. As the performance progresses, I did not even have to remind them to switch off their microphones as it was second nature to them by then. To end off, I would like to wish all the kids and everyone at LAA a Blessed and Merry New Year.”
- Norman Loh

“It was a great opportunity to work with the kids. It was a nice feeling when I saw excitement on the kids’ faces while they were choosing and fitting their wings and beards that we had prepared for them. The kids were awesome; all the kids cooperated, coordinated and rehearsed well even though they had a short week to practice after their school hours. I enjoyed my time as the “motherhen” of the “bearded men” kids playing and answering to the joke questions they asked. All in all it was 3 colourful nights of Tollins Production!”
- Ramadevi

“I had a tremendous experience working with LAA and being part of this explosive production. Although gathering materials for wing-making and sorting out the costumes were a little tough to do initially, seeing the delighted faces of the children and how much they loved their costumes made everything worthwhile. Moreover, the end of each night left the kids and ourselves tired but happy. Altogether, the Tollins Tale by Children was a brilliant production showcasing the potential of these kids and an enriching episode for myself.”
- Tiffany Lim

“It has been as awesome experience working with LAA on this project. Besides having a chance to interact with students of a wide range of ages, we also had the opportunities to interact with their parents and teachers. I have learnt a lot from all these interactions and have enjoyed myself working with the baby lions.”
- Pang Yi Jia

“The past few months have been very fulfilling working with the LAA on their 2nd Anniversary Production. I am glad that we managed to pull through the various challenges as a team; by getting funding, procuring materials and living the experience of the production with the kids. It was indeed a blessing to have touched the lives of these children.”
- Amanda Teow

“Working with the Little Arts Academy (LAA) for their production was an extremely fruitful experience. Not only did it provide me with the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of kids, it also allowed me to experience the process through which a theatre production comes to fruition. The time spent working with the kids and staff of LAA has further convinced me of the importance of LAA’s mission and purpose, which is to provide youths with a platform to develop and showcase their artistic talents!”
- Amos Yang

“Working with the kids in this production has given me a timely reminder to why I chose to be in teaching. At the end of the day it’s about sitting down and listening to them, looking at them in the eye, smiling at their jokes, brushing their hair, letting them “try out” eyeliner and “that shiny lip thing”, making sure they can open the bathroom door and turn on the tap, ensuring they are fed and hydrated, but mostly, just listening to them. It’s been genuine and best thing I can do now is to go out there and make my time with my students as meaningful and sincere as possible.”
- Shari Chong