Innovation at UWCSEA East
Roll up your sleeves and dive into hands-on projects!
Got an idea brewing?
Power it up at UWCSEA East Innovation!
The UWCSEA East Innovation Programme has been helping students of all ages tap into their creative potential. The programme now has an exciting new space—fondly known as Innovation@East—in Block D’s Design and Technology area. Made possible by the generous support of our East Campus community and partners, the programme has become a central hub for turning student-led ideas into a reality. Encouraging new ways to create, solve, and explore, students come here to pursue their passions, tackle real-world challenges, and connect with industry leaders.
Let's explore the integrated areas!
Innovation@East features interconnected zones that support a variety of student-led projects, seamlessly blending hands-on learning with key elements of our Learning Programme, including Sustainability and Service. These projects encourage students to think creatively, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and apply their knowledge in innovative ways.
Hands-on learning
Putting their classroom knowledge into practice, students oversee projects from engineering to design, with real-world applications such as ‘F1 in Schools’ programme and fabrication tools like CNC machines and 3D printers, all focused on building skills that can support them in their future pathways.
Service
Service projects take an innovative twist as students use tools such as the Bernina sewing machines to create E-Textiles for the elderly in partnership with Lion Befrienders. By repurposing electronics, they also promote sustainability and support broader community initiatives.
Activities
The Activities programme has been integrated into the space, offering fun ways for students to collaborate and innovate—from student-led eSports tournaments that champion inclusivity, to LEGO League competitions building teamwork, and creative projects like drone-building, where students explore real-world engineering and robotics.
Sustainability
Tackling sustainability through problem-solving, student deepen their environmental awareness, repurpose electronics, and design projects such as underwater robots for practical tasks, finding innovative ways to make an impact.
“Whether they’re building intricate LEGO structures, coding robotics, engineering go-karts, or using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to cultivate herbs in a robotic farm, this space is meant to inspire a culture of play and experimentation.”
We're just scratching the surface!
E-Sports
Born from the desire to represent the College beyond traditional sports, Grade 9, 10, and 11 students established a Code of Conduct that now guides a thriving community together through gaming, so much so that we have a waiting list! Every Saturday, boarders gather to dive into popular games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Rocket League. With newly acquired equipment, our Dover Campus students team up with their East Campus peers. Meanwhile, our Middle and Primary School students enjoy Nintendo Switches and PCs, creating their own tournaments and forming teams to compete with schools across China, Thailand, and Singapore. Here, the focus is on collaboration and skill-building rather than just winning!
Arcade
Step back in time with our beloved arcade machine, a nostalgic creation made from recycled parts by students in Grades 7, 8, and 11. They’ve turned this old-school gaming treasure into a creative take on sustainability, where students learned to innovate using what they had on hand.
This unique arcade machine has been a fantastic addition to our Digital-Free space in the High School Block on East Campus, offering a creative and fun way to support student wellbeing!
Lego Exploration
For our Primary School students, Lego is more than just a toy – it’s a gateway to creativity and teamwork through the First Lego League. On Saturdays, students embark on exciting adventures to inter-school robotics competitions with participants from East and Dover Campus, Stanford International School, and more. No one is ever too cool for Lego, and you’d be amazed at how our younger builders are busy exploring, learning, and competing in a world built brick by brick.
Ready, get set for F1, and race!
In the F1 in Schools programme, students design and build their own miniature Formula 1 cars. These creations are then launched in air-pressure containers, racing towards glory. Last year, our team reached the finals, showcasing not just their engineering skills but also their potential for winning scholarships. Our Dover student, Lucien, is among those steering this exciting journey.
CNC Machine and 3D Printers
In our workshop, test your skills for precision with our CNC machine and advanced 3D printers. While the CNC machine carves and shapes materials, our 3D printers produce not just standard plastics, but also exotic materials like carbon fibre and polycarbonate. This unique blend empowers students to bring their most ambitious ideas to life.
E-Textiles and Bernina Sewing Machines
Fashion and technology intersect in our E-Textiles programme. We’re currently developing an exciting project involving conductive thread, where participants will create vibrant emoji cushions that vibrate and light up, offering companionship to those in need. Supported by Google’s outreach programme, students will learn to sew circuits into their creations, blending creativity with technology in a fun and meaningful way.
Electronics Storage
Our open electronics storage encourages creativity and sustainability. Unlike many schools, we proudly display our equipment, allowing students to access materials for their projects. With funding from the Parent Association, we ensure our space is stocked with spare parts and donated items, fostering a culture of innovation where students can experiment and prototype their ideas.
Drones
The world of drones is buzzing at our campus! Students build indoor drones and even experiment with underwater robots and water rockets. Our Monday lunchtime drone workshops are a hub of creativity, where students learn the ins and outs of drone technology and engineering.
Underwater Robots
A trailblazing group of female students has taken on the challenge of creating an underwater robot, complete with a claw for underwater tasks. They reached out to organisers for support and received an underwater claw that enhanced their project. Controlled via remote, this programmed marvel operates in the pool, capturing images and picking up objects, all while empowering students to explore STEM in an engaging way.
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