 
The SLA Spatial Challenge is an initiative of the Singapore Land Authority aimed at encouraging the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology in Schools. Supported by the Ministry of Education and ESRI Singapore, the Challenge is organised for Pre-University students to increase the awareness of GIS in students, and encourage innovative use of GIS in Singapore. For the first time ever, this Challenge will allow students to work with existing Singapore GIS datasets and GIS software.
The emphasis of the Challenge will be placed on Creativity, Use of GIS, Analysis and Presentation of Results. Participants will conduct simple data collection, and use the information they gather to conduct simple analysis on the topics they have chosen to explore. Students are encouraged to use the many functions available in GIS in innovative, challenging and fun ways to assist in solving or exploring issues which affect their communities. All participating teams will have their work displayed in a presentation poster exhibition on the last day of the competition. Selected teams will be able to present their findings to a panel of judges.
The possible uses of GIS in Singapore have not been fully explored. Through this Challenge, we want to provide JC students an opportunity to gain insights into the growing Geospatial industry and the opportunities that it presents. Hence, we greatly encourage students to be creative in their use of GIS.
Results of the Challenge
Raffles Junior College won the coveted honour of being the inaugural
champion of the SLA Spatial Challenge, which was held on 23 April 2008. The
team came up with a model for entrepreneurs and startups to search for and
select the best location, in terms of traffic, rental and market
comparatives, for their shop. The champion team also won $5000 in cash
prize. The first runner-up ($2500 cash prize) and second runner-up ($1500
cash prize) of the SLA Spatial Challenge were Millennia Institute Team 2
(Beautifying our Rivers) and NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
(ChildCARE or ChildSCARE?) respectively.
Click here to see their project summaries.
Four other special awards of $1000 each, kindly sponsored by ESRI
Singapore, were also given. The awards are: Most Innovative Project (Pioneer JC); Most Challenging Project (National JC); Best Use of GIS
(Temasek JC), and Best Exhibition Booth (Millennia Institute Team 2).
Final 8 teams of the Challenge
The following teams have made it to the final round of the competition. Congratulations to all.
- Anderson Junior College (AJC 1)
Project: The Price is Right
- Millennia Institute (MI Team 2)
Project: Beautifying Our Rivers
- National Junior College (NJYL)
Project: Optimisation of land use for retail in Punggol through the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (03:08)
Project: ChildCARE or ChildSCARE?
- Pioneer Junior College (Pioneer One)
Project: Hotspots for transmission of food-borne diseases in Choa Chu Kang community
- Raffles Junior College (Raffles Group 1)
Project: A location selection model for low-cost businesses
- Saint Andrew's Junior College (Always a Saint)
Project: Project Vigilant
- Temasek Junior College (The City Planners)
Project: Environmental appraisal of the CBD
Objectives:
- To increase awareness and interest about GIS in Students.
- Create awareness of GIS/Geography career possibilities.
- To find new and innovative ways to use GIS.
Theme:
The Spatial Challenge follows a broad theme of "GIS & Community". We hope that participants can find innovative uses of GIS that can benefit their communities.
What is Spatial Science?
Spatial science encompasses multiple disciplines, such as Geography, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Surveying, Mapping and Cartography.
What is GIS?
 Geographic Information System is the culmination of the combination of hardware (e.g. satellites, computers, and GPS), software, and geographic information (e.g. maps, satellite images). GIS can be used to collect, manage, analyse, and display all types of geographically referenced information.
The uses of GIS can vary from the academic to practical applications for daily use. Some examples of the use of GIS are the study of damage to coastlines by the 2004 tsunami, monitoring of forest fires in Indonesia, routing of emergency services such as ambulances and fire engines, car navigation systems, and online street directories. GIS has many other practical and educational applications that have not been fully utilised in Singapore.
For more information please refer to these websites:
http://www.esrisa.com.my/aboutgis.html
http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html
http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/index.html
Why is GIS relevant to students?
- GIS has emerged as a branch of geography that is rapidly advancing in use and importance in the world.
- It helps students to visualise abstract geographic concepts in real life situations on a map interface.
- It is a useful research and learning tool for students.
- GIS is a tool to better use and understand geographical information.
- It is an important introduction to the future possibilities that Spatial Science offers.
Registration:
Registration has closed on 5 February 2008. We thank all participants for their keen interest.
Project Proposals:
Once your team has registered, two (2) project proposals will have to be submitted by 25 February 2008. Please download the Project Proposal forms here.
Rules and Regulations:
The Rules and Regulations of the SLA Spatial Challenge 2008 can be downloaded here.
Training:
We have organised 3 training sessions on the usage of GIS software and GIS Dataset for students and teachers (optional). Each training session consists of 2 half day classes, scheduled on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 5.30pm.
Training Session Dates:
| Training Session (1) for Students |
23 & 30 Jan |
Training Session (2) for Students |
13 & 20 Feb |
Training Session (3) for Students |
27 Feb & 5 Mar |
Project Report should include:
 Rationale for choice of project
Fieldwork methodology
Data / software used
Results and discussion
Future research potential
Problems encountered
References cited
Items to be submitted by Participating teams:
Short Project Report
Presentation Posters
PowerPoint Presentation
Judges will use Criteria such as:
Innovation
Use of GIS
Data Collection approach
Quality of Report (Analysis, Report Writing)
Presentation (Presentation Poster & Oral Presentation)
Benefits to community
 Possible Project Subject areas:
Environmental issues
Physical geography
Human Geography
Urban Geography / Planning
Tourism
Population Studies / Demography
GIS Datasets available:
Singapore Street Directory data
- Singapore Island outlines
- Rivers and Water bodies
- Parks / Nature Reserves
- Basic Building layers (HDB, Industrial, Public Commercial)
- Road Centerlines
- Recreational areas (Golf courses, Playgrounds, Open spaces)
- Etc…
To have an idea of what data is available, please refer to this website:
 http://www.map.gov.sg
Prizes:
1st Prize : $5000
2nd Prize : $2500
3rd Prize : $1500
Technical Support:
SLA and its organising partners will seek to provide the necessary assistance to students on GIS or technical queries during the entire duration of the competition.
For any inquiries about the software, GIS Dataset, or project work please contact Lee Weijian @ 63239158 or email: lee_weijian@sla.gov.sg
Competition Process:
Competition Milestones:
| Pre-registration training |
February to March 2008 |
Registration |
By 5 Feb 2008 |
Project Proposal Submission |
By 25 Feb 2008 |
Training Session (1) for Students |
23 & 30 Jan 2008 |
Training Session (2) for Students |
13 & 20 Feb 2008 |
Training Session (3) for Students |
27 Feb & Mar 2008 |
Start of Competition |
6 March 2008 |
Project Submission |
8 April 2008 |
Date of final presentation (Invited Teams) |
23 April 2008 |
Prize Presentation |
23 April 2008 |
End of Competition |
23 April 2008 |
Would you like to learn more about Spatial Science?
Land Data Hub GITEX Forum (Free Admission!)
12 March 2008, 2pm to 5.30pm
The GITEX forum is a technical GIS forum organised for the GIS community in Singapore. This forum provides a platform for the GIS community to network, and share knowledge and experiences. Updates on the latest developments in the industry are also made available by the various Service providers and software / hardware vendors, such as ESRI, Oracle, Autodesk, Spot Asia, CRISP, etc…
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