Social Innovation at CGSS
SOCIAL INNOVATION @ CGSS
About
The Social Innovation (SI) Programme is a niche programme that nurtures socially conscious, future-ready learners who are equipped to make a meaningful difference in the world. Anchored in the Design Thinking framework and aligned with the MOE 21st Century Competencies (21CCs), the programme provides authentic learning experiences that develop students holistically in knowledge, skills and values.
Guided by the mission to empower students to become
a. innovative problem-solvers, b. empathetic changemakers, and c. collaborative leaders who drive positive social change,
the SI Programme enables students to identify real-world community needs and design human-centered, sustainable solutions.
The programme comprises two key components: Social Innovation and Research (SIR) and Talent Development - Social Innovation (TDSI). Together, SIR and TDSI reflect Cedar’s commitment to developing learners who are confident in navigating complexity, responsive to community needs, and ready to contribute meaningfully in a rapidly changing world.
Social Innovation and Research (SIR)
Social Innovation and Research (SIR) is a school-based curriculum offered to the entire cohort of Year 1 and Year 2 students, structured within their timetable. Through the iterative stages of Design Thinking—empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping and testing—students develop critical and inventive thinking, communication and collaboration skills, and a strong sense of civic literacy and social responsibility. Learning is inquiry-driven and experiential, allowing students to apply research skills in authentic contexts.
In Year 2, students have the opportunity to collaborate with external beneficiaries to implement their Social Innovation projects, translating ideas into purposeful action and strengthening their understanding of community engagement.
Fig.1 Prototypes designed by our Year 1 students for their SIR projects
Fig.2 Year 2 students proudly present their personalised fidget boards, designed and created for their SIR project.
Key Programs / Competitions
Year 1& 2 Cohort Social Innovation and Research Program (SIR)
The Social Innovation and Research (SIR) Programme provides students with structured opportunities to engage in inquiry and applied research on authentic social issues. Through a scaffolded curriculum, students develop research literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while cultivating empathy, social responsibility, and innovative thinking.
Year 2 Innovation Program by the Gifted Education Branch (IvP)
The Innovation Programme by the Gifted Education Branch (GEB) is designed to nurture students’ creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through authentic, real-world challenges. Students explore emerging issues, apply design thinking and research skills, and develop innovative solutions while collaborating with peers, mentors, and industry or community partners.
Examples of other Key programs/Competition:
1. Overseas Immersion Program
2. National STEM challenge
3. Year 1Cohort Social Innovation and Research Program (SIR) etc
Talent Development - Social Innovation (TDSI)
Talent Development - Social Innovation (TDSI) is a tailored and more rigorous programme for selected students who demonstrate strong interest and aptitude in Social Innovation.
Through community trails, students practise empathy-building, interviewing and needs-analysis skills, and deepen their learning through Makers Education under MOE GEB’s Innovation Programme (IvP). They also get to participate in national-level platforms and competitions such as the Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year competition and the Community Problem-Solving Programme (CmPS).
Through these experiences, students apply entrepreneurial and inventive thinking, receive authentic feedback from mentors and partners, and iteratively refine their solutions.
Fig.3 Iterations of prototype idea by Year 2 TDSI students for their IvP project.
Fig.4 Year 4 TDSI students presenting their product to a member of the public at their trade booth during the JA Company of the Year Finals.
Key achievements and highlights
Year 4 TDSI students worked with Bold at Work and the hard of hearing community to create an inclusive concert experience, sparking moments of joy and connection.