Making & Tinkering 

PS9888: Making and Tinkering

We envision creating a totally different learning environment - to provide students with the opportunity to solve open-ended real life problems together with their friends from different disciplines. The most valuable experience for the students is that they pick up a new hands-on expertise and build something using the new skill – putting the knowledge they learnt in their disciplines into good practical use. At the end of the course, the team should build something, preferably useful but could also be just for fun. We also want to provide our students with opportunities to freely explore, take risks and even if they fail, it will be a fruitful and enriching failure.

If the team has a project idea of their own, they can submit a proposal. On the other hand, if students are interested in the key phrases proposed by supervisors, they can form a team and indicate their interest.

The course is worth four academic units and is also available to non-SPMS students.

The groups must submit a short proposal outlining their projects and a panel will select up to 20 groups for the course.

Course Objectives

To design, make and build something ‘fun’ and maybe useful using the Sciences you know.

Course Information

- No GPA requirements.
- UE, GER-STS course.
- Course fees non chargeable.
- Prizes to be awarded for best projects.
- 4 AU during Special Semester 1 and 2.
- 2 to 4 students per group.

Requirements

- The course is worth four academic units and is also available to non-COS students.
- At least one student from CoS.
- All welcome but priority will be given to CoS (for both PS9886, PS9887)

 

PS9886: Making and Tinkering (Lite I)
Computer Controlled Electronics and 3D printing

Students will be taught some science and technology related hands-on skills. There will be tour and simple hands-on experience in mechanical and electrical workshop. Lessons on Computer-controlled electronics using Arduinos and 3D printing will be conducted. The students will be working in pairs on project-based assignments.

Course Objectives

The course aims to equip you with basic technological awareness, particularly computer controlled electronics using Arduinos and 3D printing, and hands-on skills required for building basic equipment and products related to Science and Technology. Through this course, you will develop creativity as you are encouraged to explore different approaches to a given problem, and resilience when facing the need to acquire new technological skills in a limited time in order to solve a given problem.

Course Information

- No GPA requirements.
- UE, GER-STS course.
- 2 AU during Semester 2.

Semester 2 (All welcome but priority will be given to SPMS, CNYang students and those planning to take PS9888).

 

PS9887: Making and Tinkering (Lite II)
Computer Simulation and basic prototyping

Students will be taught some science and technology related hands-on skills. This course will focus on computer simulation of physical systems using programs such as COMSOL and basic prototyping. There will be tour and simple hands-on experience in mechanical and 3D printing workshop. The students will be working in pairs on project-based assignments.

Course Objectives

The course aims to equip you with basic technological awareness, particularly computer simulation and basic prototyping using 3D printing, and other hands-on skills required for building basic equipment and products related to Science and Technology. Through this course, you will develop creativity as you are encouraged to explore different approaches to a given problem, and resilience when facing the need to acquire new technological skills in a limited time in order to solve a given problem.

Course Information

- UE, GER-STS course.
- 2 AU during Semester 2.

Semester 2 (All welcome but priority will be given to SPMS, CNYang students and those planning to take PS9888).

PS9888 Schedule

WEEK OFTENTATIVE DATEACTIVITY
113-May 13-May Course Admin / Safety
Short courses on 3D printing / Arduino / Computer Simulation
220-May   Course Admin / Safety
Short courses on 3D printing / Arduino / Computer Simulation
327-May    
43-Jun 5-JunProgress Meeting 1* 
510-Jun    
617-Jun 19-JunProgress Meeting 2 / Talks 
724-Jun    
81-Jul 3-JulProgress Meeting 3 
98-Jul    
1015-Jul 17-JulProgress Meeting 4 
1122-Jul    
1229-Jul 31-JulFinal Presentation / Grading 
135-AugOrientation   
1412-AugWeek 116-17AugProject Exhibition / Thank you dinner (on 16 Aug) 
Students are expected to attend at least 3 out of the 4 progress meeting

Contact Us

If you wish to understand more about this course or the exhibition, feel free to contact us.

Address:

Nanyang Technological University
School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
21 Nanyang Link, Level 3 Atrium
Singapore 637371

 

Email:

[email protected]

FAQ

I love to take part but am alone/don't know people from other divisions. Will you all help "matchmake" me with teams?

We can help to matchmake you with other students but do let us know if you have any preferences.

 

I love to join but don't have any idea on what to do/make for the project.

You can refer to our List of Project Ideas on our website for reference.

 

Will I fail this module if my team does not succeed in completing the project on time?

Students need to build something with the best of their ability to submit at the end of the course – if the product is working exceptional well compared to others, they can get a prize. No one failed last year.

 

I've run out of UEs, can I still take?

Check with your school if they can overload on UEs.

 

I like to take this course but I've already planned holiday/exchange for this special semester period. Is this course still available next semester? Can I take it then?

Currently, the course is only available on special semesters. We are exploring the possibility of doing it during regular semesters but students are usually very busy.

 

Sounds like a heavy course - shouldn't it be 4 AUs?

Yes, It is 4AUs.

 

When will there be more information on how/when to sign up for the course?

You can actually sign up online now!

 

When will there be more information on how/when to sign up for the course?

You can sign up online or pick up an application form from the counter at our Chair Office located at SPMS level 4!