Your child may be finding it challenging to adapt to the new learning environment in Secondary. While some topics in the Secondary Science syllabus build upon prior knowledge acquired in primary school, the majority of secondary school Science topics are entirely new. In secondary school, Science is taught as three distinct subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This transition can be disorienting for students, as they are required to absorb a significant amount of fresh content in Biology, become acquainted with chemical terminology in Chemistry, and engage in mathematical calculations in Physics.
One of the key hurdles your child might face is difficulty understanding new keywords, question structures, and answering styles. What may have worked well in primary school might not be applicable in the Secondary Science context. Your child essentially needs to start anew and build their own problem-solving skills. Application questions become more prevalent compared to primary school, which can be demanding for students trying to adapt to the swift pace of secondary school learning.
Your child might also be uncertain about how examination questions will be presented. Access to past-year examination questions for a specific Science subject can be challenging, as schools tend to teach these three Science subjects in their preferred sequence. This is further complicated by the diverse academic streams (IP/IB/Express/NA/NT), resulting in questions of varying difficulty levels depending on the depth of the syllabus. Consequently, most students rely on topical assessment books from bookstores, which may not always cover a wide variety of question types that could potentially be tested.
If these challenges resonate with your child, rest assured, they are not alone. Many Secondary students are confronting these very challenges. Like their peers, your child might be struggling to adapt to this new learning environment. Navigating this transition can be both physically and emotionally draining, as well as a source of frustration.
The encouraging news is that there is still ample time for positive change. Continue reading to learn how we can provide valuable assistance.
CCA Methodology
Applications
Core of the Secondary School Science syllabus. Concept applications in real life are tested in scenario-based questions. It is at this juncture that most discussions take place.
Concept
Insight on the working principle of the content. For instance, the explanation of how atoms are structured and its implications on the properties of matter.
Content
Gives students an overall view of what the topic entails through mind maps, notes, and infographics.
Lower Secondary
Foundation-building
We will be teaching the core topics to build a strong foundation for students.
The 4 Main Themes include:
Diversity:
- Diversity of matter by its physical properties
- Diversity of matter by its chemical composition
- Diversity of matter using separating techniques
- Diversity in living things
Models:
- Cells
- Particulate nature of matter
- Atoms and molecules
- Light
Systems:
- Transport system in living things
- Digestive systems
- Sexual reproductive system
- Electrical systems
Interactions:
- Forces
- Energy
- Work done
- Sound
- Heat
- Chemical changes Interaction within ecosystems
Upper Secondary (Chemistry)
Content
- Understand how each topic is interlinked
- Understand the Periodic Table thoroughly and its implications
Skills
- Analysis of questions/keywords
- Identify the topic tested
- How it has affected the results/conclusion
10 Main Topics:
- Experimental Chemistry
- Particulate nature of matter
- Mole concept
- Energy changes
- Chemical reactions
- Acids bases and salts
- Periodic table
- Metals
- Air
- Organic Chemistry
1-to-1 Classroom
Home Science Tuition Fees
Differences in Fees for Senior and Associate Teachers
Senior Teachers: These educators possess extensive experience and expertise in various aspects of our services. Many are former MOE teachers and scholarship recipients themselves, leading to higher fees.
Associate Teachers: All of our teachers have at least 5 years of full-time teaching experience and hold university degrees.
- Lesson Schedule: Classes are held once a week, each lasting 2 hours.
- Fees Structure: Payments are collected monthly in advance, covering 4 lessons.
- Initial Fees: A one-time registration fee of $40 and a materials fee of $60 apply for new students.
- Payment Methods: Payments can be made via cash, cheque, or iBanking (using PayNow or FAST transfer).
- Missed Classes: If you miss a class, we will arrange a makeup session. If a makeup is not feasible, the class will be canceled, and the fee will not be charged. You may cancel up to 1 class per quarter.
- Refund Policy: The first month serves as a trial period. Students may discontinue at any time, and all unused class fees, including the $40 registration and $60 materials fees, will be refunded.
Senior Teacher Fees
Primary 1-6
$ 80-150/hr
Secondary 1-4
$ 80-150/hr
JC 1-2
$ 90-170/hr
Associate Teacher Fees
Primary 1-6
$ 50-90/hr
Secondary 1-4
$ 60-100/hr
JC 1-2
$ 60-100/hr
Reasons for Variability in Tutor Fees
Our tutor fees vary due to the diverse qualifications and experience levels of our Science teachers. Each educator brings a unique set of skills and background, which affects their fee structure. Typically, tutors with greater experience and higher qualifications have higher rates. The main factors influencing our tutor fees include:
- Student Improvement Rate
- Experience Level of Tutor
- Positive Parental Feedback
- Academic Qualifications of Tutor
1. Enhancing Student Performance
Our Science tuition services are designed to help students excel in their studies and boost their grades. Each teacher is dedicated to elevating the academic performance of their students. Tutors who excel in their teaching methods and significantly contribute to student improvement typically command higher fees due to their effectiveness and popularity.
2. Teaching Experience
Fees often vary based on the number of years a teacher has been in the field, especially those with extensive experience, such as former MOE educators. While all our teachers have at least 5 years of teaching experience, those with additional years typically have higher rates. Although more experience doesn’t always guarantee a better teacher, we generally observe a positive correlation between experience and teaching effectiveness.
3. Positive Feedback from Parents
We consistently gather feedback from parents regarding our home tuition teachers’ performance and teaching effectiveness. We inquire about their reliability, punctuality, and proactive approach to teaching and grading. Teachers who demonstrate professionalism and a high level of commitment are often rewarded with higher fees.
4. Academic Credentials
Our teaching team includes graduates from prestigious universities globally. Many of our educators have earned scholarships and have excelled academically throughout their education. Teachers with outstanding academic qualifications and scholarship achievements typically have higher fees.
2021 Exam Results
(For Our Home Science Tuition Students)
- 78% of PSLE students got distinction (A* or A)
- 8 / 10 O-level students scored A1 or A2 (E-Maths)
- 6 / 10 O-level students scored A1 or A2 (A-Maths)
- 5 / 10 A-level students got an ‘A’ (H2 Maths)
*Figures only apply to students learning with us the entire academic year
Home Tuition Features
- Personalized Attention: Each student receives tailored, one-on-one support.
- Custom Study Plan: A study plan is specifically designed to meet each student’s needs.
- Significant Improvement: Individual tutoring often leads to notable progress in results.
- Qualified Tutors: All tutors are university graduates, with many holding 1st Class Honours degrees.
- Intensive Syllabus: Lessons adhere to our comprehensive and rigorous syllabus.
- Provided Materials: All necessary learning materials are supplied.
Curriculum Aims and Approach
Our primary aim is to ensure students excel in their exams. From the very first lesson, we review past exam papers to develop a tailored study plan promptly. Our home tuition program focuses on initially providing a solid understanding of the subject matter, followed by enhancing problem-solving skills through targeted practice and revision. Due to the individualized nature of our lessons, students often experience faster improvement compared to traditional group-based tuition.
Class Handouts
Our Pledge: Professionalism and Accountability
Our home tutors are the same dedicated professionals who teach at our centres. We extend the same level of commitment to our home tuition students as we do in our centre classes. You can expect our teachers to be highly professional, dependable, and skilled in their teaching.
From your initial phone call, you’ll experience our commitment to professionalism and responsiveness. Our support staff, and occasionally our teachers, will address your inquiries and concerns. We understand the worries about your child’s academic performance and are here to assist you throughout the process. Whether it’s choosing the right tutor, scheduling the first lesson, handling payment options, or tracking your child’s progress, we’ll support you every step of the way. Reach out today to discover how we can assist you.
Curriculum Planning
Our Teachers
- Our team includes more than 30 expert Science educators.
- A specialized group of PhD-qualified Science teachers manages our curriculum.
- Each member of our teaching staff holds a university degree.
- A significant number of our educators have achieved 1st Class Honours (certificates can be provided).
- Most of our teachers possess between 7 and 15 years of teaching experience.
- All our teachers are dedicated full-time professionals.
Top-Tier Expertise
Our success in Science education hinges on our exceptional team of teachers. We are dedicated to maintaining one of the most qualified and experienced groups of Science educators in Singapore. Our thorough selection process ensures only the best are chosen, and we evaluate our teachers quarterly through both student feedback and parental reviews. Beyond their teaching skills, we highly value teachers who show strong responsibility toward their students and exhibit proactive behavior in their teaching duties.
Extensive Experience
We require a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience for all our educators, with most of our team having between 7 to 15 years in the field. This extensive experience is essential not only for mastering the subject matter but also for addressing the diverse needs of students. Our most skilled teachers excel at presenting content in a clear and engaging manner, building strong connections with students, and fostering their academic growth.
Comprehensive Support for Every Student
When your child is assigned a home tutor with us, they benefit from the collective support of our entire team at The Science Lab. Each student is paired with both a dedicated tutor and a supervising teacher who oversees their academic progress and lesson plans. Should a tutor be unavailable, we have backup teachers ready to ensure no lessons are missed, especially during critical exam periods. Additionally, your child can access support from other teachers at our centre if needed. At The Science Lab, we are devoted to providing comprehensive assistance to help every student succeed.
Regular Updates for Parents
We believe that students make the greatest strides when their parents are actively engaged in their learning journey. To keep you well-informed, we provide monthly updates on your child’s academic progress and address any concerns that may arise. If necessary, we may invite parents to visit our office for a detailed discussion about any learning challenges and the steps we are taking to support your child. Maintaining an open and honest line of communication between parents and tutors is crucial for achieving the best possible results for your child.
Our Tuition Coordinators
Speak With Us Today
If you would like to ask about the possibility of home tuition, call us at 6475-0624 (we are open everyday, including public holidays). We will explain our Home Tuition programme works. Whether you want to know how to select a teacher, or whether you simply want to ask about our schedule, our tuition coordination team is here to help you.
WhatsApp Groups for Streamlined Communication
To streamline communication, we often set up WhatsApp groups that include parents, students, and tutors. This approach allows us to interact directly with the students while keeping parents informed about weekly lesson plans and homework assignments.
Opportunity to Switch to Group Classes
Students who have made substantial progress through home tuition may have the opportunity to join our group classes. These classes offer a more interactive environment where students can benefit from peer discussions and collaborative learning. Additionally, group class fees are generally more economical compared to one-on-one home tuition.
Quarterly Feedback Review
Every three months, we reach out to parents to review the progress and performance of their child’s tutor. Our goal is to assess if the tutor has (1) maintained punctuality, (2) upheld professional standards, and (3) delivered effective teaching. This feedback helps us ensure that our tutors meet our high standards of effectiveness and dedication. If any issues arise, we are prepared to make adjustments to improve your child’s learning experience.
