Humanities

Discover how the Humanities Department uses real-world fieldwork and inquiry-based learning to bring Geography, History and Social Studies to life.

Last updated 10 June 2026

Beliefs

Quality and Innovation – The Way to Success

The department believes that authentic learning and student engagement are key to developing and preparing the students for the 21st Century. Our collective aim is to design authentic lessons that are relevant to the syllabus. Thus, Communication, Collaboration and Information Skills, as well as Civic Literacy, Global Awareness and Cross-Cultural Skills are continually interwoven into our curriculum.

To enrich students’ learning of the various Humanities subjects across various levels, the Humanities Department adopts a developmental structure for Humanities Investigation using Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL). The vehicle to develop these skills in our students is through the IBL fieldwork investigation packages, which provide teachers with the opportunity to align the lower and upper secondary syllabuses to facilitate greater depth of learning, subject mastery and progressive development of skills in the students.

Tapping on digital technologies, the department also explored and adopted various Blended learning approaches, which enabled the students to effectively and collaboratively learn the Humanities subjects of Social Studies, Geography and History through various modes of asynchronous learning and adaptive learning platforms.

Signature Programmes

Secondary One Geographical Investigation & Inquiry: Integrated Geography/CCE LJ to Lorong Halus
The Secondary One students participate in experiential outdoor learning journeys as part of their Geographical Investigation. They engage in fieldwork activities such as observing their surroundings and sketching the human activities to deepen their learning and understanding of a particular geographical phenomenon and its impact on life and the environment.

Secondary One Historical Investigation & Inquiry: Learning Journey to National Museum of Singapore and Fort Canning park; Leveraging on ICT to Facilitate Historical Investigation
Historical Investigation is an integral part of the new Lower Secondary History curriculum. In 2023, as part of their Historical Inquiry research, the Sec 1 level made a learning journey to National Museum of Singapore and Fort Canning park, to learn more about the lifestyles, living conditions, different economic and social activities of the different groups of early immigrants. This History IBL project was designed to facilitate opportunities for students to make better meaning of Singapore Today based on their discovery of Singapore’s past.

In addition, the department also leveraged on the department created archaeological dig sandbox and ICT to facilitate the students’ HI projects, which focused on the concept of Historical Evidence. Through the archaeological sandbox, we helped the students better understand the definition of ‘archaeology’ and the work of archaeologists. Then, the students further carried out their individual research on various archaeological and internet sources to write a story about the lives of people who lived in Singapore during the British colonial period.

Secondary Two Integrated Learning Journey for Geographical & Historical Investigation: Exploring Change and Continuity in the Lives of People Living in Sengkang and Punggol
The Secondary Two Historical Investigation project required students to investigate ‘How far has life changed for people living in Sengkang and Punggol after World War Two?’ The students went on a learning journey to Punggol Town Hub and Punggol Waterway which they were required to examine several aspects of the inquiry question. Each group member researched a particular area, such as Housing and Living Conditions, Economic Activities and Jobs, Leisure and Entertainment, and Types or Modes of Transport. The groups then consolidated their findings and examined the change and continuity in the various aspects of the lives of the people living in Sengkang and Punggol. Finally, they presented their findings through a PowerPoint or video presentation.

Achievements and Recognition

With the guidance of Ms Jenny Wang, our Geography team of Preetisha D/O S Prasath, Gao Xinlei, Isabella Keh Jia Xin and Joycelyn Amanda Tio, took part in the NUS Geography Challenge 2023, an annual competition jointly organised by the NUS Department of Geography and the NUS Geographical Society. Isabella further brought honours to the school with her clinching one of the Individual Bronze awards.

Four school students in white and green uniforms sit on a waterside deck examining a container with worksheets nearby.

Sec 1 Students engage in GI Water Testing at Lorong Halus

Students gather under a large green-roofed outdoor shelter surrounded by tall grass and trees.

Sec 1 Students engage in GI at Lorong Halus

A large group of Seng Kang Secondary School students in white uniforms gathered outdoors near a colorful mural and trees.

Sec 1 Students Geography & CCE Learning Journey to Lorong Halus

Students in white and green uniforms sit on grass outdoors, writing on papers during what appears to be a field lesson.

Sec 2 Students engage in GI sketching at Punggol Waterway Point

Four students in white and green school uniforms huddle on a patterned floor, writing on papers together.

Sec 2 Students engage in GI at Punggol Town Library

Students in school uniforms with backpacks explore a Punggol history timeline exhibit inside a modern museum.

Sec 2 Students engage in HI at Punggol Town Library

Four uniformed students hold achievement certificates while posing with two adults against a white wall.

2023 NUS Geography Challenge winners with Mr Siva and Ms Jenny Wang