Overview
The StemCo syllabus is inspired by the Singapore education curriculum. Singapore is known for its excellence in PISA tests for both Sciences and Mathematics for the last few years. Results from PISA indicate the quality and equity of learning outcomes attained around the world. By adopting the Singapore education curriculum as a reference, StemCo provides an opportunity for students globally to learn from one of the best practices of education in the world.
Our approach prioritizes understanding, application, and analysis of scientific and mathematical concepts over rote memorization of factual material. This shift in focus is intentional, recognizing the need for students to develop skills with long-term value in an increasingly technological world. Rather than concentrating on large volumes of factual information with limited short-term relevance, StemCo emphasizes critical thinking and practical application of learned concepts.
Categories and Exam Format
This document outlines the syllabus for each StemCo Science category. The corresponding international grade levels and their Singapore grade-level equivalents are provided below for reference. All categories are assessed entirely through Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
| Category | International Grade Level | Singapore Grade Level Equivalent | Number of Questions (MCQ) | Exam Duration (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singa 1 | 1 | Primary 1 | 20 | 60 |
| Singa 2 | 2 | Primary 2 | 20 | 60 |
| Singa 3 | 3 | Primary 3 | 20 | 60 |
| Singa 4 | 4 | Primary 4 | 20 | 60 |
| Singa 5 | 5 | Primary 5 | 30 | 90 |
| Singa 6 | 6 | Primary 6 | 30 | 90 |
| Singa 7 | 7 | Secondary 1 | 30 | 90 |
| Singa 8 | 8 | Secondary 2 | 30 | 90 |
Syllabus
The StemCo syllabus is designed to cover essential areas and concepts crucial for a holistic understanding of subjects. While it provides a general framework for the topics featured in StemCo competitions, it is not intended to be exhaustive or overly detailed. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for students that encourages deep comprehension and real-world problem-solving, preparing them for future success in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
The syllabus includes a category called “Others” for concepts that don’t fit into the main topics. This section may include questions about recent advancements, trends, and discoveries related to the subject area, designed to be inspiring. Questions in this category can also be more advanced.
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Pets | Cats, Dogs, Hamsters, Fish, Birds |
| Colours | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet |
| Weather | Sun, Clouds, Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Seasons |
| Snacks & Tidbits | Chocolate, Potato Chips, Ice Pops, Lollipops, Ice Cream, Candies & Sweets, Biscuits |
| Toys | Balloons, Plush Toys, Figurines, Building & Construction Sets, Vehicles, Lego |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Insects | Flies, Mosquitoes, Beetles, Butterflies, Cockroaches, Ants |
| Sports | Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Squash, Tennis, Swimming, Track & Field |
| Park | Trees, Plants, Bushes, Flowers, BBQ Pits, Benches, Exercise Corners, Running & Cycling Tracks |
| Classroom | Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Ruler, Marker, Whiteboard, Duster, Books, Laser Projector, Computer, Desks & Chairs |
| Food & Dining | Food Pyramid, Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk & Cheese, Meat, Cutlery (Spoon, Fork & Knife), Plates, Bowls, Cups |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Living Things | Characteristics (Survival, Growth, Reproduction & Response to Environment) Animals (Amphibians, Birds, Fish, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles), Plants (Flowering & Non-Flowering), Fungi (Yeast, Mould, Mushroom), Bacteria |
| Materials | Wood, Metals, Ceramic, Rubber, Glass, Plastics, Fabrics (& Properties - Strength, Waterproof, Transparency, Ability to Sink/Float on Water, Flexibility) |
| Life Cycles | Stages in Animals (Chicken, Cockroach, Frog, Grasshopper, Beetle, Butterfly & Mosquito) & Plants (e.g., Seedling, Larvae, Pupae etc.) |
| Magnets | Poles, Attraction, Repulsion, Magnetic & Non-Magnetic Materials, Stroke & Electrical Method, Daily Applications |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Matter | Definition, 3 States (Solid, Liquid & Gas), Simple Apparatus for Measuring Mass & Volume |
| Human Systems | Identification & Stating the Functions of Circulatory, Respiratory, Skeletal & Muscular Systems |
| Digestive System | Identification & Simple Description of Functions (Mouth, Gullet, Stomach, Small Intestine & Large Intestine) |
| Plants | Identification & Simple Description of Functions of Leaf, Stem & Roots |
| Heat & Light | Factors affecting Shadows (Size, Shape & Position of Object; Distance from Light Source); Temperature, Heat Transfer, Heat Conductors & Insulators, Expansion, Contraction & Change in States of Matter |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Fertilisation | Plants (Self & Cross-Pollination, Germination, Seed Production & Dispersal - Wind/Insects etc.), Fungi (Spores), Humans (Ovaries - Eggs, Testes - Sperm & Passing on of Characteristics from Parents to Offspring) |
| Water | Freezing, Boiling, Melting, Evaporation (& Factors Affecting its Rate: Wind, Surface Area, Temperature), Condensation; Water Cycle, Importance for Life’s Processes, Impacts of Pollution on Earth’s Water Resources |
| Respiratory Systems | Basic Composition of Air (O₂, CO₂, N₂ H₂ O), Respiration in Plants (Leaf Stomata), Humans (Lungs - exclude Alveoli & Bronchioles; Nose & Windpipe) & Fish (Gills) |
| Circulatory Systems | Plants (Xylem, Phloem & Roots), Humans (Heart, Blood & Blood vessels in Transport of Nutrients, O₂ & CO₂,) |
| Electricity | Simple Electrical Circuits (Battery, Wires, Bulb, Switch), Current Flow, Electrical Conductors & Insulators |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Forces | Pushes, Pulls, Effects on Stationary & Moving Objects, Magnetic, Gravitational, Frictional (Rolling Objects Included) & Elastic Spring Forces |
| Energy | Kinetic, Potential, Light, Electrical, Sound, Heat (including Conversions between different Forms) |
| Survival | Characteristics (Temperature, Food, Water, Light etc.); Producers, Consumers, Decomposers; Adaptation Strategies in Plants & Animals (e.g., Camouflage, Move, Coping, Seed Dispersal etc.) |
| Environment | Organism (Producers, Consumers, Predators & Prey), Population, Community (Garden, Field, Pond, Seashore, Tree, Mangrove Swamp), Habitats; Food Chains & Web, Man’s Impacts on the Environment |
| Energy | Kinetic, Potential, Light, Electrical, Sound, Heat (including Conversions between different Forms); Respiration & Photosynthesis (Requirements & Products) |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Experiment | S.I. Units, Accuracy & Precision, Index Notation; Zero, Parallax, Human & Measurement Errors, Estimation; Vernier Calipers & Micrometer Screw Gauge, Approximation |
| Materials | Electrical & Thermal Conductivity, Strength, Hardness, Flexibility & Density (including Calculations), Volume Displacement for Irregular Objects |
| Dynamics | Forces, Pressure (Solids & Liquids), Moment of a Force/Torque, Power, Work Done, Energy (& its Conservation), Heat (Conduction, Convection & Radiation; Effects on Density from Expansion & Contraction) |
| Cells | Functions & Identification via Microscope: Cell Wall, Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Vacuole, Nucleus, Chloroplast; Cell Division, Plant & Animal Cell Differences |
| Living Systems | Human Circulatory, Digestive & Sexual Reproductive Systems, Food & Water Transport Systems in Plants, Diffusion & Osmosis, Interactions in Ecosystems |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Experiment | Decanting, Filtration, Paper Chromatography, Evaporation, Magnetic Attraction, Simple Distillation, pH Probe & Indicator, Data Loggers |
| Analysis | Elements, Compounds, Mixtures (Solutions, Suspensions, Solutes, Solvents, Saturation), States of Matter (& Interconversion), Conservation of Mass |
| Matter | Atoms & Ions, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons, Chemical Formulae & Simple Reactions (Neutralisation, Thermal Decomposition, Oxidation & Combustion) |
| Light | Angle of Incidence, Reflection, Refraction (Snell’s Law & Refractive Index: Physics Grades 9-10), Critical Angle & Total Internal Reflection, White Light Dispersion (via Prism) |
| Electricity | Direct Current, Resistance, Potential Difference, Ammeters, Voltmeters, Series & Parallel Circuits, Circuit Breakers, Household Electrical Costs |
| Others | ... |
