CIS STEAM FAIR: Back bigger and better

It was an action-packed, fun-filled day for Canadian International School (CIS) family and friends at the school’s annual STEAM fair on 2 March. STEAM, which is an an interdisciplinary teaching approach that stands for Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship (or engineering at some schools), Arts and Maths, plays a fundamental part of CIS’ curriculum and is integrated across their entire school. Their programme focuses on equipping each student with a set of crucial skills (collaboration, research, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity) essential for them to succeed in the 21st century, regardless of where their interests or passions lie.

Activity highlights

Throughout the day there were lots of great hands-on STEAM activities for children and their parents to experiment and try out. The younger children loved creating colourful ice sculptures and building a giant spider web city in the school’s magical Outdoor Discovery Centre, while the older kids were captivated building snap circuits, creating stunning spirographs and simulating drone and aeroplane flights.

Another big favourite (especially amongst the children!), were the many fun carnival rides including the downpour derby, F1 car racing and bungee jumping. For parents, the global bazaar was was a popular destination and also the massage booth where they got to enjoy a relaxing massage by members of the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped.

More about STEAM at CIS

If you would like to find out more about CIS’ STEAM programme feel free to sign up for their next Open House at www.cis.edu.sg/openhouse. Alternatively, you can visit www.cis.edu.sg/steam

Fit Bit: The Popular Debate on Spot Reduction

By Jessica Gan

“ I just want to lose tummy fat”

“ I want only exercises to get 6-pack abs”

Do these sound familiar to you? It is great to set goals and specific ones such as “lose tummy fat”. It is also natural behavior, as a next step, to want to do exercises that appear to be working the tummy.

Spot reduction does not work because it usually targets muscles that are relatively small through exercises that are relatively insignificant in terms of enhancing overall fitness. 

Sure, fat is burned as fuel when you exercise. However, when you burn, your muscles don’t necessarily turn on their nearest fat supply for that fuel. Hence, doing 100 crunches may not burn the 

adipose tissue (“fat”) near the tummy. 

Suggestions:

• Circuit training
• Strength training
• Spot toning

Watch this space next month for specific exercises!

Disclaimer: Always check with your medical professional prior to new exercise regime.

Aloo tikkis

 Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 potatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green chili, minced
• 200g coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups breadcrumbs
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Here's what to do:

1. Peel and boil the potatoes until soft.
2. Mash in a large mixing bowl and allow to cool.
3. Into the mixing bowl, add the onion, green
4. chilli, fresh coriander, ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and 2 cups of the breadcrumbs. Mix well.
5. Add more breadcrumbs, a little at a time, if the cutlets are difficult to bind.
6. Shape the mixture into cutlets and coat each cutlet in the remaining breadcrumbs.
7. Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan and pan-fry
8. the tikkis in batches until golden brown on each side.
9. Serve with chili dipping sauce or a mint chutney.

Receive 10% off Basic, Intermediate and Baking Helper Cooking Courses & Focus Classes. Quote CAS10 when booking. For more details:  www.expat-kitchen.com

Calcium Intake for Teeth

Q: Is it important to take calcium for my teeth?

A: Yes, calcium is an important mineral that the body needs to keep our teeth (and bones) strong and healthy. Babies and young children need calcium so that they can develop strong teeth. Once the teeth have been fully formed, additional calcium is not needed to maintain healthy teeth.

At various age groups, different intake of calcium level is required. For adults, the recommended daily intake is generally 1000mg.

These can be derived from foods such as:

• dairy products that include milk, yoghurt, cheese;
• vegetables like spinach and kale;
• soybean;
• certain fishes like sardine, salmon; and
• calcium-fortified cereal, oatmeal.

What is more important for the maintenance of healthy teeth is a diet with a reduced quantity and frequency of sugar intake and an effective oral hygiene regime. A general rule of thumb that I share with patients is 2-2-2, brush two times each day, for at least two minutes each and visit your dentist two times a year. Flossing at least once per day will clean in between the teeth where a brush won’t reach. These good oral hygiene habits help to keep dental plaque at bay and allows dental issues (if any), to be picked up by your dental professional in a timely manner and preventing it from developing into serious problems.  

Dr Steven Soo is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He was formerly a Clinical Lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute and Clinical Teacher at the GKT Dental Institute, both of which are affiliated with the University of London. Dr Soo has a special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry. 

www.specialistdentalgroup.com | 6733 7883


Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). 

CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.