KINDLING THE KAMPONG SPIRIT ! | LUMEN 23
Biodiversity Consultant and educator James Khoo ( SJI alumnus from Class of 2003 ) sharing his work on a shrinking insect biodiversity . His talk on catching insects and arthropods rekindled an appreciation of simple pleasures in rural environments .
Mr Eugene Ong with the larvae grubs . Insects such as these are a rare find in any modern home .
Librarian Boey Wah Fong also created a tiered “ book-cake ” featuring local authors on nostalgia and memory .
Talks were also arranged to educate students on how the Kampung , or at least our impressions of Place , has evolved . Fan En Rui ( FN402 ) shared how the talk “ was a refreshing learning experience to discover facts about the pertinence of insects and their imperative role in maintaining the stability of ecosystems .” The enthusiastic student went on to say Mr Khoo had much to offer the Year 4 cohort as he passionately discussed the idiosyncrasies in nature ’ s smallest beings . The talk was undoubtedly enhanced by an interactive component when students viewed live specimens of insect species such as the Rhinoceros beetle in various stages of their life cycles .
This exhibition played an important role in helping visitors navigate the nexus between urban space , national heritage and personal narratives . From a pedagogical point of view , the ‘ Space and Lived Experience ’ exhibition allowed students to understand what curating knowledge is all about ; a timely reminder about the important role exhibitions play in student-centred learning and formative assessment .
Our librarian , Mrs Boey Wah Fong ( right ) with local author Ms Josephine Chia ( left ). The latter shared her experiences growing up in her Kampong in Potong Pasir . Her 2014 book , Kampong Spirit , Gotong Royong won the Singapore Literature Prize .
Weaver Ants the students ingested as part of Mr James Khoo ’ s experiential talk .
Year 2 students investigated what made local neighbourhoods special in Singapore , and examined ways in which to restore the Kampung spirit .