Rather than the presence of several ‘smart’ genes that boost the intelligence of people, scientists are proposing that it could be the absence of ‘stupid’ genes that hamper brain development and the enhancement of intelligence. Intelligence, you may say, is not as important as people skills?

Research has pointed to intelligent people earning more, living longer, raising smarter children, feeling happier and enjoying better health. Read more about the latest in brain science:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/health/if-intelligence-is-the-norm-stupidity-gets-more-interesting.html?_r=0

The UK government has banned the use of calculators in tests for 11-year olds. Some critiques have lamented the policy as ‘a retrograde step’, but the government’s intention is to ensure that children are not over-reliant on calculators for basic Maths which should be done mentally. In Singapore, the use of calculators at Primary 5 and 6 levels was introduced in 2008. Some may feel that the introduction is a tat too early and that students did become slightly lazy with mental calculations. However, the first papers of tests and exams are usually set with the exclusion of the use of calculators, and should thus not interfere with students’ need to continue honing their mental and written arithmetic skills. What is your take on the issue?

Full story on BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20259382

Below are the top 20 earning professions in Singapore, as compiled by www.salary.sg. The list is developed based on the Ministry of Manpower’s Report on Wages for 2011. The numbers do not take bonuses and profit sharing into account. The importance of leadership and people skills feature prominently in the list. You may also observe that many spots are taken by positions in the finance industry.

1. Managing director/ Chief executive officer – $29,102
2. Foreign exchange dealer/ Broker – $22,302
3.Marketing and sales representative (institutional sales of financial products) – $20,834
4. Trade broker (including oil and bunker trader) – $19,500
5. Company director – $17,142
6. Financial/ Investment adviser – $15,500
7. Chief operating officer/ General manager – $15,005
8. Commodities derivatives broker – $15,000
9. Ship broker – $15,000
10. Creative director (advertising) – $14,750
11. University lecturer – $14,000
12. Real estate agent – $13,952
13. Software and applications manager – $12,280
14. Advocate/ Solicitor – $12,213
15. Lawyer (excluding advocate and solicitor) – $10,900
16. Financial/ Insurance services manager (eg financial institution branch manager) – $10,250
17.Chemical engineer – $10,105
18. Network and communications manager – $10,024
19. IT service manager – $9,999
20. General practitioner/ physician – $9,963

Top 100 list: http://www.salary.sg/2012/top-100-jobs-in-singapore-2012/
MOM’s Report on Wages 2011: http://www.mom.gov.sg/statistics-publications/national-labour-market-information/publications/pages/report-wages-singapore11.aspx

Science is helping to create a class of super humans; humans who are able to work without tiring or breaking down. We already have access to drugs which are able to boost mental performance and wakefulness. These drugs are potent, and they were originally developed for use by dementia patients and hyperactive children. Video logs may record everything we have seen and heard, allowing us to access these memories years later when needed.

However, there are many ethical concerns behind this development and we need to consider all the possible adverse consequences. While drivers and pilots may voluntarily be taking enhancing drugs to prevent tiredness now, such prevalence may set drug-taking as a norm by employers in future. The retirement age may be pushed much further back as people are expected to work much longer as well.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20217737

According to the news, MOE may be coming up with a common Mother Tongue framework for pre-schools across Singapore. This is to address the disparity of standards in the mother tongue of pre-school students all over Singapore. While this may look like a great move, care must be taken not to have pre-school children taking difficult tests. Any case of poor performance will have parents panicking unnecessarily.

Full story: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121106-0000041/Pre-schools-to-have-common-Mother-Tongue-framework

What would you do if you lived to ripe old age of 110 yrs old? Is it possible for anyone to live to such an age in the bustling Singapore? Britain’s oldest individual just celebrated his 110th birthday. He was an army chaplain during the World War II and he had spent 10 years working as a teacher. It was said that he was given an elixir to drink when he was in India before the first World War.

Full Story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-20197070
 

Have you ever gone on overseas immersion programs before when in university or earlier? Count yourself lucky if you have travelled before for academic purposes. Many young people apparently regret not having gone on exchange programs during their time in university.

If you ever encounter a young one making a decision as to whether to go on an exchange program, do point out the high rate of regret to them!

Read the full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20168690

The US elections are less than a week away, slated for 06 Nov 2012. Politics is always a difficult subject for primary and secondary level students to catch interest on, let alone politics of the US. Perhaps a little curiosity could be piqued with some odd facts about the coming elections:

i) Politicians are almost never photographed with sunglasses. Presidential candidates look very much less trustworthy when they are photographed with shades on. The lack of direct eye contact causes such a perception.

ii) Obama may have been coached to jab his thumb habitually in public. The gesture emphasizes the ‘authority’ of the jabber.

iii) The title of President is for life. Bill Clinton and George W Bush will always be addressed as presidents publicly. It shows the high regard that people accord to the job.

Joe Biden in sunglasses, oh my

“Look, I’m the man to watch.”

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20072338

Looks like the Pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai will be ready to meet the public this holiday season. News reports put a tentative preview of the pandas at the Singapore Zoo at 29 Nov 2012. There will be extra admission charges on top of the regular Zoo ticket prices.

Here are some fun Panda facts to enliven your visit:

i) Pandas have extremely strong jaw muscles which they use to crush tough bamboo
ii)  Most people may think Pandas to be cute, but they can be as dangerous as any other bears
(Here is a reported attack on a student by a Panda http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/11/24/us-china-panda-idUSTRE4AN5NF20081124)
iii)  The lifespan of a panda is around 30yrs
iv) While 99% of a panda’s diet consists of bamboo, they do snack  on rodents or deer fawns occasionally
v) Female pandas only ovulate once a year

News: http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Relax/Story/A1Story20121029-380176.html

Came across an article pointing out the reduction of the size of playing fields in school in Britain.

(BBC) Call for school playing fields size protection to stay
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20123673

Come to think about it, a certain minimum ratio of open-space to built-up space must be maintained in the plan for all government schools in Singapore. This explains the relieving greenery that we are able to enjoy every time we see a school. In the increasingly built-up Singapore where many are feeling more claustrophobic, I am thankful that our children grow up surrounded by enough open spaces; at least in their schools.