LITTLE GREEN DOT
STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
Teachers and Students Briefing
17 Feb 2012
Tanglin International Centre
IKEA’s vision is to create a better
everyday life for the many people.
This includes doing what we can to help
create a world where we take better care of
the environment, the earth’s resources, and
each other.
IKEA has forged long-term cooperative
relationships with partners in the field of
social & environmental issues – such as
UNICEF, Save the Children and WWF.
WWF’s mission is to stop the
degradation of the planet’s natural
environment and build a future in
which humans live in harmony with
nature by
•Conserving the world's biological diversity
•Ensuring that the use of renewable natural
resources is sustainable
•Promoting the reduction of pollution and
wasteful consumption
IKEA and WWF HQ began working together in 2002 to promote responsible forestry,
support better cotton production and address climate change issues.
In 2007, IKEA Singapore and WWF Singapore forged a local partnership promoting
responsible consumer behavior through IKEA’s “Say No To Plastic Bags” campaign.
Proceeds from the sale of the plastic bags go to WWF for community livehood projects in
support of forest conservation in Indonesia.
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
Partnership
An extension to IKEA’s “Say No To Plastic Bags” campaign
• Proceeds from the sale of the plastic bags will go towards the LITTLE GREEN DOT
Student Research Grant
• In collaboration with Nature Society (Singapore): administer the grant application,
selection, awarding, mentorship and research process.
Nature Society (Singapore) is a non-government, non-profit organisation
dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, study and enjoyment of the
natural heritage in Singapore and the surrounding regions.
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
Partnership
GREEN DOT?
oA student research grant that promotes learning of Singapore’s natural
environment through direct study and discovery.
oAims to facilitate the development of a new generation of leaders
in conservation and biodiversity studies.
oLaunched in January 2011, the grant calls for students to form groups and
submit a proposal for a nature conservation research project.
oEleven groups with the best proposals will receive funding to carry out
their research.
oAt the end of their research, students will share their findings through a
symposium
oIt is a collaborative effort by IKEA Singapore, WWF Singapore and
Nature Society (Singapore).
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
WHAT IS THE LITTLE
Forest Conservation
o Forests are vital to balancing our planet’s climate, supporting the
cycling of our freshwater and home to a wealth of biodiversity – up to
50% of the world’s known species live in tropical rainforests
o Rich forest biodiversity in Singapore
o Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves home to
more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals
o Mangroves (Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve), Nee Soon swamp
forest, coastal forests (Labrador Nature Reserve, offshore islands)
o WWF’s “Love Our Forests” campaign
o 2011 was the United Nations International Year of Forests
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
THEME FOR YEAR 2012
Marine and Freshwater Conservation
o In support of UN’s International Year of Biodiversity 2010 to
protect and conserve the Marine, Coastal and Freshwater
biodiversity
o Complement PUB’s Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters
Programme
o Conservation of marine biodiversity and wise use of freshwater
wetlands are important options for climate change mitigation and
adaptation
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
THEME FOR YEAR 2011
ADMIN MATTERS
Application
for funding
• formulate research questions
• complete and submit proposal
Selection for
funding
• assessment by a management panel
• results announced to applicants
Study
period
Mid-term
review
Study
period
Post-study
period
• fine tune materials and methods
• collect and analyze data
• submit mid-term report to management
• fine tune materials and methods
• collect and analyze data
• publish papers
• present findings
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
RESEARCH PROCESS
Application
for grant
Selection
for grant
Study
period
Post-study
period
• formulate research objectives
• complete and submit application form
• assessment by panel
• results announced to applicants
• fine tune materials and methods under guidance of mentor
• collect and analyze data
• submit academic report to Nature Society (Singapore)
• present findings
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
LITTLE GREEN DOT WORKFLOW
o
Call for applications: 3 January 2012
o
Theme for 2012: Forest Conservation
o
Complete application form available on
http://www.nss.org.sg/project.aspx?id=11.
o
Submit form via email to: littlegreendot@nss.org.sg.
o
Application deadline: 19 March 2012
o
Open to students from:
o
o
o
o
Secondary 3 & 4
Junior College 1 & 2
International School Grade 9, 10, 11 & 12
Grant will be awarded for a 8-month research period
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
APPLICATION FOR GRANT
o
o
o
Selection panel made up of NSS, WWF Singapore
and IKEA Singapore
o
Five groups from Sec 3 & 4/ Grade 9 & 10 - $3,000 per project
o
Six groups from JC 1 & 2/ Grade 11 & 12 - $5,000 per project
Interview for short-listed projects in April 2012
Panel may suggest modifications to successful
projects
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
SELECTION FOR GRANT
o
Results will be announced on 30 April 2012.
Successful project proposals will be put up on
NSS website.
Successful groups will be notified directly via
email for further action.
Media announcement from May 2012.
o
Not the end for unsuccessful project proposals
o
o
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
SELECTION FOR GRANT
Year 2012
3 Jan – 19 Mar
20 Mar – 29 Apr
Application
for
Grant
30 Apr
Selection
Year 2013
1 May – 27 Dec
Announce
Grant
Awardees
Study
Period
28 Dec
Apr (date tbc)
Submission
Little Green
Dot
Symposium
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
TIMELINE
o
o
Local practicing environmentalists will be
assigned as mentor to each group
Mentors will provide guidance on
methodology and study design
2. analysis of results
1.
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
MENTORSHIP
Mentors will not
physically supervise students during field work
2. prepare/ provide materials on behalf of students
3. Take over the field work should research projects not
proceed as intended (but may be consulted for trouble
shooting)
4. ensure deadlines are met
1.
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
MENTORSHIP
o
o
o
o
Grant covers project expenses, eg: transport, meals
in the field, field equipment.
Does not cover non-specific equipment, eg: digital
cameras, computers.
Receipts and written evidence of purchase to be
retained by group members.
Unused money, receipts and written evidence of
purchase to be returned to NSS by:
28 December 2012
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
MONEY MATTERS
o
Submit academic report to NSS by:
28 December 2012
o
Academic reports will be uploaded onto website
o
Share findings in the Little Green Dot Symposium
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
POST-STUDY PERIOD
o
NSS will reclaim the full grant amount if:
o
Groups fail to submit academic reports before
deadlines without valid reason.
o
Instances of plagiarism are discovered in
submitted academic reports.
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
POST-STUDY PERIOD
Nature Society (Singapore)
Goh Ter Yang
littlegreendot@nss.org.sg
Tel: 6741 2036
Fax: 6741 0871
Website:
http://www.nss.org.sg/project.aspx?id=11
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
CONTACT DETAILS
Q&A
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP MAKE
SINGAPORE A LITTLE GREEN DOT
LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
THANK YOU!