"How's the weather?" is a common conversation filler. But these days, when climate change has become more real than ever, this question lends more weight than meets the eye. Taking measures to curb greenhouse emissions is essential, while educating, especially the young is another necessity. What better way than to involve and engage school children on the importance and impact of global climatic changes on their daily activities than in practical, hands-on project work and activities – and have fun too?

This is exactly what primary and secondary school students got to do as part of the National Weather Study Project (NWSP). Sponsored by Senoko Power, and supported by MOE, MEWR, NParks and NEA, the NWSP drew much enthusiasm from the time it was launched in March 2005, with about 180 primary, secondary schools and junior colleges participating. That's almost half of all the schools in Singapore!

Whether it was forecasting weather for the next day or week ahead to enable appropriate plans for school activities, or developing a Fire-Risk Index for the school and the community in its area to prevent fires or whether it was to evaluate the impact of humidity on economic and social life, the students were not restricted in what they could explore. In fact, they were encouraged to apply physics, public health, economics, sociology, ecology, tourism, agriculture and even political study to their project.

Mini weather stations were installed in the school compounds so students could get a first-hand look and feel of collecting and analysing weather data. Industry experts from Senoko, NEA and MOE hold periodic discussions and open dialogue sessions with teachers and students, providing technical advice and guidance.

Some students even got to showcase their work to their peers overseas. These students who travelled abroad came to realise and understand, from a global perspective, how much the world is inter-linked.

279 projects were submitted for the NWSP competition. A trip to Europe or Asia was the prize for the winning groups. But it was the realisation that each of them play a crucial part as global citizens in this inter-dependent world – that was the undisputed prize which made each student walk away a winner.