Humanities 人文科

Humanities Department

The Humanities department adopts an inquiry approach in sparking curiosity and developing passion in the learning of Humanities. Through the multiple learner-centred programmes, the department aims for students to be engaged in authentic and experiential learning. These programmes have been designed to provide a variety of enriching opportunities for students to collaborate, explore and learn beyond the classroom. This year, our students have had opportunities to experience these programmes which were customized to meet their learning needs.

Geographical Investigation

In the learning of Geography, all Secondary 2 students were involved in carrying out fieldwork investigations at Sungei Ulu Pandan. They learnt about the impact of human activities on the environment and how the environment could affect water quality and human survival. They collected and recorded observations of physical features and human activities using field sketches, annotated photographs, recording sheets and maps. In addition, they conducted water quality tests to measure the turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH levels of water samples. These skills in data collection and analysis are vital in geographical fieldwork when learning about the environment.

Historical Investigation

As part of their discovery of Singapore’s rich history, all Secondary 2 students embarked on an immersive learning journey to explore historical artefacts and archival photographs at the National Museum. Through exploring these innovative displays, they uncovered the nation's defining moments, challenges and resilience of the people living during the transformative periods of Singapore. This helped to deepen their understanding and appreciation for the contributions made by the pioneer generations that have built Singapore from a fishing village to a cosmopolitan nation today.

Exploring the museum

Social Studies Issue Investigation

The Social Studies Issue Investigation was a collaborative inquiry project that tasked all Secondary 3 students to examine the complexity of a contemporary issue in Singapore’s diverse society. The groups were guided to first identify an issue that they were concerned about, followed by the creation of questionnaires for the online surveys and face-to-face interviews. They then gathered and analysed the data collected before making recommendations based on sound reasoning to improve societal issues. This investigation provided students with authentic opportunities to gain diverse perspectives from Singaporeans on the issues and challenges in our society.

Social Studies Issue Investigation Collaboration with Clementi Town Secondary

From the Secondary 3 cohort, two classes collaborated with students from Clementi Town Secondary for their Social Studies Issue Investigation project. Under the guidance from Social Studies teachers from both schools, they examined real-world issues that they were concerned with, and coordinated their time and effort to meet each other online and in-person to plan and carry out the investigations. Each group consisted of students from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. Equipped with their knowledge, understanding and varied experiences, each team member contributed to the richness of their discussions. There were new opportunities for them to learn from one another, develop critical and reflective thinking, and appreciate the multiple perspectives and complexities of the issues in our society.

RICH Fest 2023

Held on 27 October, the Humanities RICH Fest (Realising Innovation and Creativity in the Humanities) caters to the development of creative, cultured and confident students with a passion for the Humanities. This year’s theme is on ASEAN and students from the Secondary 2 came up with interesting and engaging presentations and activities for their peers to learn more about ASEAN. They also incorporated their historical and geographical knowledge and skills when doing their research on various aspects of ASEAN countries. Through this event, students gained a deeper understanding of how to apply what they learnt in the classroom to a real-life showcase to their friends and teachers.

Presenters engaging their peers on Vietnam

NH ASEAN Forum 2023

Held on 19 July, the Secondary 3 cohort participated in the inaugural NH ASEAN Forum. The brainchild of the Humanities teachers, the forum aims to provide opportunities for Nanhuarians to strengthen their understanding and exposure towards Asia, particularly the ASEAN region.

Learning about the civil-military relations in the ASEAN region

The theme was Blurring the Lines: Military and Governance in ASEAN, where students were tasked to conduct guided research on an ASEAN country of their choice and present their findings. A Fireside Chat featuring our Principal and Head of the Humanities Department was also held to discuss the relevance and significance of ASEAN to Singapore, while the delegates to the HCI Model ASEAN Summit shared their experiences and key takeaways. In an intellectually charged atmosphere with a lively exchange of ideas, it was a valuable learning experience for the cohort.