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Working with experts from MIT, students at Northbridge International School use data to analyse road safety issues in the country.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grade 6 students at Northbridge International School of Cambodia (NISC) have undertaken an ambitious project to collect data in order to understand the country's road safety issues. Working with researchers and experts from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), as well as leading local organisations, students analysed death tolls and accidents on the road as part of the Data-Driven Curiosity Challenge. Students will use the results of their analysis to educate members of their school and the community, helping them to understand and alleviate the issue.
In 2015 alone, students discovered deaths caused by road accidents totalled 2231 in Cambodia. By conducting an analysis on road deaths using data supplied by the National Road Safety Committee, the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, The Cambodia Daily and The Phnom Penh Post, students compared statistics on death tolls due to traffic-related issues. NISC students also found that the number of registered vehicles tripled from 2005 to 2011, rising to 1.8 million vehicles from 600,000 vehicles. As part of their project, NISC students surveyed taxi and tuk-tuk drivers in the capital. Their results showed that most drivers find Monday to be the worst day for traffic accidents. 48% of drivers blamed motorbikes for the main cause of accidents, 41% blamed auto drivers and only 11% blamed truck drivers for unsafe roads.
Students will be presenting their findings in a data sculpture which will be displayed in school and to the community at the Cambodia Science and Engineering Festival from 9th -11th March.
The Data-Driven Curiosity Challenge is the second phase of a three-part annual challenge designed by MIT experts based on STEAM subjects and the scientific method. The first part of the challenge stimulated students' curiosity and critical thinking. Students at NISC developed questions and formulated hypotheses on a broad range of topics from what it means to be a human to questions on reality and our existence. In the current stage of the challenge, students will combine the skills of data analysis and communication to research and raise awareness on issues affecting the city.
Sarah Osborne-James, Principal of NISC said:
"This has been a fantastic opportunity to work with MIT and teach our students what it means to be active members in our community through the interdisciplinary subjects of STEAM. By directing their own learning and following their curiosity, our students have a better understanding of the changing world around them."
John Durant, Director of MIT Museum said:
"I am delighted to see the MIT STEAM challenge move into its second phase of operations. The new challenge being posted to Nord Anglia students will cultivate skills in data collection and analysis that are at the heart of effective problem solving in many areas of life and work. We look forward to working closely with Nord Anglia teachers and students over the coming months."
This challenge is part of a wider collaboration between MIT and Nord Anglia Education schools incorporating the interdisciplinary subjects of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). At the core of the collaboration is the reflection of MIT's philosophy of 'mind and hand,' which calls for a practical approach to problem solving. Through this method, NISC students will develop key transferable skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, curiosity and communication, which can be employed across all academic subjects and in future careers.
The Nord Anglia-MIT collaboration launched in September 2016 in 13 inaugural schools and will expand to educate more than 37,000 students at Nord Anglia's 43 international schools in following years. This new venture comes more than one year after Nord Anglia Education launched its performing arts collaboration with The Juilliard School.
About Northbridge International School Cambodia
Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC) is an International Baccalaureate World School which challenges students to become global citizens through a unique program of inquiry and exploration. Through global learning opportunities, students can develop socially, physically, emotionally, artistically, and intellectually in a stunning natural setting which is green and spacious in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The school's collaborations include an embedded performing arts curriculum with The Juilliard School and a new approach to teaching STEAM with MIT. The school's Global Campus also gives students opportunities to participate in school and worldwide activities including expeditions to Tanzania and Switzerland. NISC is a part of Nord Anglia Education's global family of 43 premium schools in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
For further information, please contact:
Melanie Ireland
Director of Admissions and Marketing
Tel: +855 23 886 000
Email: melanie_ireland@nisc.edu.kh
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