THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
CHRONICLE
23
10 14.08.17
ISSN NO. 0218-7310
New school year begins What’s Inside Learning tools for visually impaired kids
Review: 10 popular modules at NTU
Tips on how to decorate your room
Ice skating club not just for skaters
NEWS | Page 02
LIFESTYLE | Page 06
LIFESTYLE | Page 08
SPORTS | Page 19
NTU student gears up for this year’s SEA games SPORTS | Page 18
News
Navigating a world without sight A group of University students has designed interactive learning aids to help visually impaired children in their daily lives Lim Woei Lin BIG or small. Rough or smooth. Up or down. For the visually impaired, understanding simple physical concepts such as size and orientation is a daily uphill challenge. But a group of NTU students are hoping to lessen that burden. Twelve Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP) students from NTU Makers’ Lab have developed four sets of interactive learning aids for iC2 PrepHouse, a charity organisation that supports children with visual impairments. Project Learning Aid Development (LAD) started last August, after iC2 approached the Makers’ Lab to help develop affordable learning aids for the centre’s visually impaired children. Founded in 2014 by the Renaissance Engineering Club, Makers’ Lab is a student group that encourages students to design prototypes by merging technology with engineering principles. Combining disciplines Fourth-year School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student Sudswong Nath said working on a project to help the visually impaired allowed him to combine his two passions: engineering and social work. “I had always wanted to put my engineering knowledge to good use by helping a social cause. This project allows me to build prototypes and make something that can impact others’ lives,” said the 23-year-old. Fellow project member Low Chang Hong shared similar sentiments. The fourth-year School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering student joined the team to see how social work and engineering can complement each other. “I felt that the topic was interesting and it was also a good chance for me to pick up and apply some manufacturing skills that could be useful for future projects,” said the 25-year-old. Suiting their needs Learning devices for the visually impaired are expensive, with low vision devices such as magnifiers and screen enlarging software
LEARNING WITHOUT SEEING: REP students testing out a toy train set for visually impaired children at iC2 Prephouse. The team has developed learning aids that engage the children’s sense of touch, in the form of toys and books. PHOTO: ANG HUI MIN
costing up to a few thousand dollars here. Devices that assist daily living are hard to find on the market, especially those that help people with complete blindness. The team spent $40 producing the learning aids for the centre, which they provided free of charge. They currently do not have plans to commercialise their project. Over a period of six months, the team visited iC2 PrepHouse to observe and understand the needs of visually impaired children. Before this, they only had a superficial understanding of the challenges the visually impaired face in their daily lives, said Low. “Before we visited the centre and observed the children’s interactions with the teachers, we lacked the context of what really impeded their learning,” said Low. He added: “In fact, most problems faced by the children go beyond the surface and we had to discover how to effectively solve them through those interactions.”
The team also realised that while the children may be book-smart, most lack the confidence to feel and learn beyond the classroom as they cannot see, said Sudswong. He added that many children at the centre face a fear of exploration beyond their comfort zone.
active storybook with raised outlines of fruits printed on special paper, encouraging children to feel all corners of the page. They have also customised a toy train set with 3D-printed train tunnels, to teach the children a sense of orientation.
“I had always wanted to put my engineering knowledge to good use by helping a social cause. This project allows me to build prototypes and make something that can impact others’ lives.”
Trial and error Many rounds of testing and revisions were required before the final products were ready, according to Sudswong. As the project progressed, the team found that their original prototypes were too technologically advanced and had to be simplified to better suit the children’s needs. Sudswong said: “The teachers at iC2 found such complicated gadgets unsustainable, and told us they would prefer simpler learning aids. “They said they might face difficulties repairing and producing such learning aids for the children without the necessary equipment in the future.” After receiving feedback on the
Sudswong Nath, 23 Fourth-year student School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
The team has since developed learning aids that engage the children’s sense of touch, in the form of toys and books. This includes designing an inter-
initial designs, the team eventually minimised the use of 3D-printed components in the project. As 3D printing leaves grooves in the product, they found that the texture affected the children’s tactile perceptions and was unsuitable for their learning via touch. Instead, they switched to simpler craft materials such as felt and cloth. Future plans Makers’ Lab will be recruiting more volunteers this semester to carry on Project LAD. The team hopes to improve upon their current learning aids and produce new gadgets. For Sudswong, playing his part in this project has given him a newfound appreciation for his sense of sight. “I would not have imagined that being visually impaired is such an impediment, as it not only affects them in their daily living, but also affects them mentally such as making them more fearful and cautious,” he added.
VOL. NO.
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NEWS
THE NANYANG
10 CHRONICLE
03
Finding fault in Southeast Asia
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH: From the safety of his office, seismologist Wei Shengji spends his time analysing raw data collected from real earthquake sites. His current projects include the 2016 Kumamoto, Central Italy and New Zealand earthquakes. PHOTO: AMANDA CHAI
Goodwill and geological faults motivate seismologist Wei Shengji in analysing underresearched earthquakes in Southeast Asia Amanda Chai Lifestyle Editor
THE first time Dr Wei Shengji felt an earthquake, it was 2008 and he was an exhausted graduate student, sound asleep in his room in sunny California. When the 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled cups and books off his bedside table, he woke up, wondered what was going on, and fell promptly back to sleep. On hindsight, the 35-year-old seismologist thinks he “should have gotten up and taken a picture”, especially since he ended up studying that very earthquake in the laboratory later that day. But the Los Angeles event, now christened the 2008 Chino Hills earthquake, is almost trivial in comparison to the many earthquakes in Southeast Asia, according to Dr Wei. And after five years as a postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology's (Caltech) Seismological Laboratory in Cali-
fornia, he should know. “In the entire California, there is maybe one magnitude-7 earthquake in every ten years,” he said. “But in Southeast Asia, in particular the Indonesia region, there are magnitude-7 earthquakes once every month, and nobody is studying them at the level people are studying the earthquakes in California.”
“In Southeast Asia, in particular the Indonesia region, there are magnitude-7 earthquakes once every month, and nobody is studying them at the level people are studying the earthquakes in California." Dr Wei Shengji, 35 Assistant professor Asian School of the Environment
Which is why the Guangxi-born scientist moved to Singapore in 2014 — to get closer and contribute his expertise to the region.
A numbers game
Today, Dr Wei is an assistant professor at NTU's Asian School of the Environment. When he is not teaching his undergraduate seismology class — the
first in Singapore — he conducts his research full-time at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), studying earthquake source: how an earthquake is formed and the effects it produces. That includes analysing how much ground shaking is produced during an earthquake, and how far a structure is physically displaced, or offset, after the event. It adds up to a lot of numbers, but Dr Wei finds meaning in sifting through the data. Making sense of the statistics collected after every earthquake, he said, is a necessary step towards the greater good — predicting future earthquakes. Currently, that is still an unrealised long-term goal. “It’s almost impossible — and for me I would get rid of the word ‘almost’ — to predict an earthquake precisely in time and space,” he said. “At this stage, in order to predict future earthquakes, we have to first understand earthquakes better, and understand what happened.” Following the scientific analyses, Dr Wei and his fellow seismologists collaborate with civil engineers to design buildings that are more resistant to earthquakes, to better protect communities.
Saving lives
Helping the community is his biggest motivation. Having earned both his Bachelor’s degree and PhD from the University of Sci-
ence and Technology in China, he switched his track of research from the earth’s structure to earthquakes in 2008, so he could “use scientific knowledge to save people". For him, the turning point was the Great Sichuan earthquake that occurred in May 2008, a shattering 7.9-magnitude quake in Wenchuan, China that claimed more than 80,000 lives, as well as the title of “21st deadliest earthquake of all time". He had left China for a graduate exchange programme at Caltech at the time. When the news broke, the barrage of reports hit home, but it was the lack of accurate information in the media that touched a nerve.
“It's almost impossible — and for me I would get rid of the world 'almost' — to predict an earthquake precisely in time and space." Dr Wei said: “The rupture length of the earthquake was about 300km — about six times the length of Singapore. But at the beginning, the government didn’t realise the rupture was so long, and most of the rescue was focused on the area where the earthquake started. “Only a few days later did people realise there were so many other people and towns that were hurt
and badly damaged, a few hundred kilometers away.”
A new direction
After the incident, Dr Wei felt the need to re-orient his research. Even today, his motivation as a real-time seismologist remains to help people, and work towards one day predicting and preventing these natural disasters. This goes especially in Southeast Asia, where a lack of data and resources have made the need for competent earthquake studies even more crucial, said Dr Wei. In July 2016, a giant fault threatening to expose millions to a 9.0-magnitude earthquake was discovered under Bangladesh. But data and observations are sparse. Dr Wei said there are less than 10 GPS stations in the whole of Bangladesh, making assessments about the potential hazard difficult. At present, if and when the fault gives through are still mysteries scientists are working hard to solve. Still, Dr Wei is optimistic that Mother Nature will not have the the element of surprise forever, and that his decision to relocate was a right one. Tapping his computer screen confidently, he said: “Almost 40 per cent of the world’s population is in Asia, but the study of potential hazards to this population is not well-conducted. "I think it’s a good chance for me to make my little contribution.”
04 NEWS
THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
23
CHRONICLE 10
Going green with PowerZee
is third-year Nanyang Business School student Er Wan Zheng. Last April, the 23-year-old participated in a challenge that asked students to identify unnecessary energy consumption on campus.
Third version of app will be released this semester, following a second trial last semester Shabana Begum
UNIVERSITIES and institutions can soon compete to become green champions with just a tap of a button on their smartphones. This is the ultimate aim of the Energy Research Institute @NTU (ERI@N) and French industry partner and utility firm ENGIE. Together, they have developed PowerZee — an eco-app to reduce the University's overall energy consumption on campus by 35 per cent by 2020. PowerZee functions as a gaming mobile app to encourage students to save electricity and carry out sustainable behaviour on campus. The third version of PowerZee is slated to be launched sometime this semester with new and improved features. The first trial version, which was introduced in 2015, showed that the University could reduce its overall energy consumption by 5 per cent. Its second trial version was released last semester in March for a month.
“For environmental issues, individuals question how they can make a difference alone. But now users can see other players and feel that they can achieve something together." Regula von Büren Project manager EcoCampus
PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY: Ms Regula von Büren, who oversees PowerZee at NTU, hopes that more students will carry out sustainPHOTO: SHABANA BEGUM able behaviour on campus.
Going global
Aside from the University, a trial version of PowerZee was rolled out in Ngee Ann Polytechnic last June. An experimentation exercise will also be carried out in Temasek Polytechnic soon, said Ms von Büren. By the end of this year, the University and ENGIE hope to release a proper free-of-charge version of the app to the general public, as well as sell the app to government agencies, she added.
Gaming for green
Through the app, students can earn points by committing to sustainable actions, such as giving feedback on how hot or cold rooms are on campus and tagging eco-friendly locations to share with their friends. The more points each player has, the bigger his avatar grows, from a seed to a tree. The app also has multiplayer gaming features that allow players to add their friends and invite them to participate in different challenges.
“We see many playing games on their smartphones in Singapore. So we thought of leveraging on this trend to get smartphone users to exercise sustainability." Nilesh Y Jadhav Programme director Eri@n's EcoCampus
“We see many playing games on their smartphones in Singapore. So we thought of leveraging on this trend to get smartphone users to exercise sustainability,” said Mr Nilesh Y Jadhav, programme director of ERI@N’s EcoCampus — an initiative to make NTU the greenest campus in the world. EcoCampus project manager
“I took photos of a student occupying a corner of a seminar room with all the lights and facilities switched on. This is a common act of unnecessary consumption of energy in NTU,” said Er, adding that she enjoys tapping on her network of friends on the app to encourage them to be eco-friendly.
READY, GET SET, GO GREEN: Players can create and participate in eco-friendly challenges on PowerZee.
Regula von Büren added: “For environmental issues, individuals question how they can make a difference alone. But now users can see other players and feel that they can achieve something together.” In order to motivate students to use the app more frequently, ENGIE has also pledged to plant a tree abroad for every 2,000 points that players earn through a collaboration with Reforest'Action, a reforestation company based in France. To stop players from cheating, improvements to the app are currently underway. For instance, some players tend to click on the same eco-action, such as taking public transport, more than once each day to get
more points, said Ms von Büren. In order to prevent this, the next version of PowerZee will accept the same eco-action no more than once daily.
Heating things up
A key feature of PowerZee is its temperature crowdsourcing tool. Called the Hot/Cold Feedback, it allows users to declare whether the temperatures in air-conditioned rooms are too high, low, or just at the right level. This data is then analysed and handed over to the University’s facility management, allowing them to adjust the air-conditioning energy usage in real time. Temperatures from certain loca-
PHOTO: BENEDICT ONG
tions are adjusted once a week, said Ms von Büren. She added that the app’s second trial phase saw energy consumption of air conditioners on campus reduced by up to 33 per cent. Third-year School of Civil and Environmental Engineering student Yeo Jin Ting, an intern at ERI@N, finds the Hot/Cold Feedback feature useful for students. “When I felt too cold in tutorial rooms or lecture theatres before PowerZee was launched, I couldn’t do anything about it. “But now I feel empowered because I can change the temperature,” said the 23-year-old. Another student who has hopped onto the PowerZee bandwagon
“When I felt too cold in tutorial rooms or lecture theatres before PowerZee was launched, I couldn't do anything about it. But now I feel empowered because I can change the temperature." Yeo Jin Ting, 23 Third-year student School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
PowerZee also aims to go global. A trial version of PowerZee was deployed at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris in France last year, and there are plans to launch the app in tertiary institutions worldwide someday. “The overall vision is to have different universities worldwide competing with one another in an ecofriendly manner to emerge as green champions,” said Ms Von Büren.
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GRAPHIC
THE NANYANG
10 CHRONICLE
05
NTU Student Life Shoes or slippers? S/U or not to S/U? As NTU students, we all have our preferences. Are you part of the majority, or do your actions and choices make you part of the minority? To find out, a survey was conducted among NTU students from various schools. Find out where you stand.
50%
of NTU students would S/U their module if they got a B grade.
The survey was an initiative from the Nanyang Chronicle Graphics team. It had a total of 280 respondents from 14 schools within NTU.
56% of students listen to music while studying.
55%
of students would not wear a school T-shirt to school.
75% of students sleep late and wake up late.
63%
of the students surveyed prefer going to school in slippers than shoes.
58%
of students would eat in rather than dapao.
62%
of the students surveyed would choose North Spine over South Spine.
Given the choice to choose Teh Peng or any other drink,
46%
of students would choose Teh Peng
56%
of the students surveyed admitted that they are usually late for class. GRAPHIC: TEO HSIN WEI, TAN XUN YI TOBY AND EUGENE THAM
Lifestyle
Most Wanted Modules Every semester, NTU students fight for the same few electives. From manically refreshing the course registration page even before the STARS war begins, to waiting among a hundred students for that one last slot in the module, the road to a select few electives is a rocky one. But are these oversubscribed classes worth the hassle? Lifestyle writer Kezia Tan gets the lowdown from past students on some of NTU’s most popular electives — to decide if they are worth fighting for.
EE8086 Astronomy – Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology
BU8501 Marketing in the 21st Century
Grading - Quiz 10% - Cluster activity 10% - 2 Presentations 40% - Final examination 30% (Essay, open book) - Class participation 10%
A tip from the majority: It’s best to join this class with a group of friends in mind, and start thinking about a brand you would like to analyse. A group presentation-heavy module, the class is an introductory course to the basic principles of marketing and its application. “You actually have open discussions during tutorials where there’s more than one answer; unlike in Engine where your answer is definite,” said Clarissa Teo, 22, a third-year student from the School of Engineering. On scoring, previous students recommend making concise mind maps for easy reference during the final exam. Class participation may be just 10 per cent, but be prepared to see many raised hands during tutorials. “Those willing to speak up in class or want to study something more interactive will like this course,” Teo added.
Grading - 2 Mid-terms 15% each (MCQ, closed book) - Final examination 70% (MCQ, closed book)
EE8084 Cyber Security
Grading - Group report 50% - Final examination 50% (MCQ, closed book)
This Science, Technology and Society GER-PE covers the different aspects of cyber security — from the security risks in using networks and computers, to writing and solving codes. Despite what the official course outline suggests, previous students said the course is entirely lecture-based. The first nine weeks are lectures while the remaining four are left to students for the group project discussion. “The lectures are all touch-and-go so it isn’t very indepth,” said third-year Humanities and Social Sciences student Vivien Lee, 21, adding that the content is mainly memory work. Those with no background in studying technology should be able to manage. Most students deemed the final examination tricky but easy. So to score well for the course, the group report should stand out. For the report, students choose from 50 topic questions on a technological issue in society. Dally when deciding on your topic, and risk getting stuck with the harder questions, warn previous students. Once again, it is best to form a group before entering the module.
Some hate the module because of the sheer amount of content, while others love it because it feeds their fascination with the universe — and probably because exams are all-MCQ. Fondly referred to as “Astro”, this science elective teaches the basics of astronomy — from the birth of the universe, to theories on what the infinite universe is like today. “I thought it was interesting but it was really heavy in content,” said Lian Zi Yun, 21, a third-year student from the School of Engineering. Although she struggled with the module, she does not regret taking it as she liked what she was learning. While the questions were previously — and famously — recycled from past-year papers, some students have noticed that they no longer are. During the final, Lian was tested on minor topics she hadn’t bothered about in her revision. Her recommendation: pay attention to the little details as well — just in case.
HP8002 Working in the 21st Century
Grading - Group project 40% - Final examination 60% (Fill-in-the-blank questions and essay, closed book)
If you have ever been curious about what the working world is like and what goes on behind social interactions in the workplace, you would probably enjoy this Liberal Studies module. Students agree that lectures are a must-attend for the module, as the lecturer drops regular hints regarding the final exams. Textbooks are also useful, if not indispensable, for both the report and finals. “The good thing is that the kind of questions that appear in finals rarely differ from year to year,” said finalyear Nanyang Business School student, Lim Ying Yi, 20. Although the content tends to be quite dry, and memory work is heavy for finals, students found the class practical for future use. “It helped me understand more about myself and about career awareness — like being able to know my strengths and weaknesses to find a fit in the job that I want to have,” said Chuw Teck Wee, 23, also a final-year NBS student.
Grading - Mid-term 40% (MCQs, closed book) - Final examination 60% (MCQs and short answer, closed book)
CM8003 From Alchemy to Chemistry
AAA280 Introduction to Ceramics
A pass/fail module that attracts many students, this Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies GER-PE is about scientific discoveries in the world of chemistry, with a timeline extending from ancient civilisations to recent years. Students may be surprised to find the module has less to do with actual chemistry than it does history — the course load includes memorising facts like who-inventedwhat, and past theories that were proven false. “In short, it’s like learning the history of chemistry,” said Melissa Leong, a final-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The 22-year-old added that the learning process is less stressful and more stimulating, as students can focus more on the learning thanks to the module’s pass/fail grading scheme.
National Institute of Education modules are notoriously difficult to get, as priority is often given to final-year or exchange students. Ceramics is no different, but it has earned its place in many students’ hearts. Expect a lot of hands-on work with clay moulding and sculpting. Students will learn how to use their hands as well as simple sculpting tools to create practical clay sculptures like pots. Previous students found it a relaxing module to balance with their more content-heavy classes. “It’s quite fun and therapeutic,” said Tan Jaz-ley, 21, a third-year student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. “The teacher is helpful, but it is hard to score,” Tan added.
Grading - Technique learning 30% - Final project 70% (Research, concept and final product)
HP1000 Introduction to Psychology
Grading - Class participation 11% - Mid-term 34% (MCQ, closed book) - Research participation (experiment OR essay) 5% - Final examination 50% (Fill-in-the-blank questions and essay, closed book)
A gateway module to a minor in psychology, this highly sought-after course introduces the basics of contemporary psychology, and covers topics like brain functions, dreams, and psychological symptoms and disorder. According to previous students, it is much easier to get the module in semester two as there is less competition for the slot; psychology majors have to take the course in semester one. “The best thing is that there is no homework,” said Alvin Chan, 24, who just graduated from the Nanyang Business School. In place of homework, students have to do a research participation where they attend a psychologyrelated experiment — or write a 10-page thesis statement on a particular aspect of psychology. As for the content, it is heavy in the first few chapters, with up to 40 pages of reading per chapter. But the readings get easier towards the end, said Chan. “Be consistent in your reading and it will be a fun module.”
DG9005 Magic of Voice in the World of a Singer
Grading - 2 presentations (20% and 40%) - Final assessment 30% - Class participation 10%
CM8012 Introduction to Forensic Science
LK9001 Korean Level 1
Grading - Listening + Written Test 1 (25%) - Listening + Written Test 2 (35%) - Oral presentation (25%) - Quiz (5%) - Homework and class participation (10%)
No surprise here — a popular module especially among the K-pop fans, Korean Level 1 introduces the reading and writing of the Hangul script, from everyday greetings to simple sentences. “Level 1 was relatively easy, especially if you already have some form of exposure, like watching lots of Korean dramas,” said Cheryl Tan, a second-year student from the School of Biological Sciences. The lessons are also very interactive, and students are urged to participate actively. “That’s the best way to learn a language,” added the 20-year-old. However, Sheryl Peh, 21, a third-year student from the School of Engineering, said lessons were tough, and that students can expect to memorise about 30 new terms each week — which can be difficult to achieve.
Calling all aspiring singers in NTU — here’s an apt elective students unanimously agree lives up to its hype. Sometimes described as a mass karaoke session, Magic of The Voice is a singing-centric class that focuses on developing voice techniques used in singing. “It was very stress-relieving because I didn’t have to study for it; I just needed to sing in front of the class and my professor,” said Diane Lim, 22, a third-year student from the School of Arts, Design and Media. Of the assignments, two require singing, while one is a group presentation on a music topic of choice. Unlike many other NTU modules, this arts course is also graded based on improvement — to bridge the gap between seasoned and inexperienced singers. “Don’t be afraid to sing in front of people,” Lim added. An insider’s heads up — the professor tends to like Disney and Broadway musical songs, so pick your songs wisely.
Grading - Polling 5% - Online quizzes 75% (MCQ) - Case studies (Peer-to-peer marking) 20%
Too lazy to leave the comfort of your room? Clearly everyone else is too, going by the popularity of this pass/fail module. A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), CM8012 is a 2AU module done purely online. It is counted as an Unrestricted Elective — unless you complete its companion module, CM8022 Application of Forensic Science, after which it can become a GER-PE. This course might also let you live your Crime Scene Investigation dreams. It takes students through detecting fingerprints and ammunition, and how to trace a person using DNA. Online quizzes make up a good chunk of the grades, and since they are all MCQs it isn’t hard to score well, say previous students.
08-09 LIFESTYLE
Deck the halls (yourself)
Decorating your room in hall for the first time can be pricey. But don’t let that stop you from personalising your space.
Lifestyle writer Claudia Tan shows you five DIY room decorations that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
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Photos: Zheng Jun Cen and Valerie Lay
PHOTO STREAMERS Not your conventional way of displaying photos — hang your favourite snaps by the bed or on your wardrobe, to dangle freely in the wind.
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Materials: - Photos - String - Wooden stick - Tape/blue tack - Mini craft pegs 1. Cut a few pieces of string, the length depending on how many photos you have. 2. Tie the pieces of string onto the wooden stick. 3. Using the mini pegs, clip your photos onto the string. 4. Hang up your new photo streamers — stick onto the wall with blue tack or tape; or tie string to the ends of the stick to hang on a wall hook. HANGING WALL BANNER Use it as a welcome sign on your front door, or hang it by your bedside for a Pinterest-worthy room.
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Materials: - Light-coloured fabric (canvas or linen works best) - Scissors - Ruler - Fabric markers/acrylic paint - Glue/double-sided tape - Wooden stick - String for hanging
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1. Cut out a 30cm by 20cm rectangle from the fabric. 2. Fold the bottom corners upwards so they meet in the middle. Glue them in place to create the banner. 3. Get creative and draw on your banner using fabric markers or acrylic paint — you can write your favourite quotes or draw simple geometric designs for a minimalist finish. 4. Fold the top part of the fabric over the stick and secure it with glue. 5. Tie both ends of the stick to the string, and it’s good to go.
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THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
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CHRONICLE 10
CINEMA BOX
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It’s the perfect party prop for those hall room birthday surprises — but also a great way to spruce up your desk. Customise your Quote of the Day with this quirky cinema box. Materials: - A4 black photo frame with thick borders - Corrugated plastic board (available at bookstores like Popular) - Printed alphabets - Double-sided tape 1. Remove the paper that comes with the frame and lay it in a landscape orientation. 2. Mark out four points on the left and right side — spaced 6cm apart, and 1.5cm from the top and bottom — and draw lines across. These will mark the lines for your quotes later. Place the paper back into the frame, behind the glass. 3. Cut out four strips of the corrugated plastic into equal lengths that fit horizontally within the frame. 4. Following the line markings on the paper, stick the corrugated plastic strips directly onto the glass using double-sided tape. 5. Cut the alphabet print-outs into 5cm by 2.5cm rectangles. The ridges of the corrugated plastic will allow you to slide the letters in — to create and change up your own quotes.
ELASTIC GRID ORGANISER
1. Choose a white piece of cardboard of your desired size. 2. Measure and cut the elastic bands so that they are long enough to go around the length and width of the board. Knot the bands to secure them in place. 3. Adjust the bands to form grids. 4. Slide in your favourite photos, reminders or notes from your desk.
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De-clutter your desk or create your very own mood board — all with one handy minimalist grid organiser. Materials - White cardboard - Black elastic bands (available at Daiso and Popular)
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CUSTOMISABLE ACCESSORY TRAY
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Eyeing a $20 trinket tray for your accessories? Save the money for a rainy day with this fuss-free DIY hack you can switch up at any time. Materials: - Deep-set photo frames - Printouts of your favourite designs 1. Cut the printout to fit your frame. 2. Lay the frame down flat and use it to hold your accessories. 3. Feel free to change up the prints inside whenever you like.
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10-11 SPOTLIGHT
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1) ART THERAPY: Patients take part in a colour theory painting exercise as a form of art therapy during one the co-creation sessions with the youth artists. 2) BENEATH THE MASK: One of the artworks on display shows a mask co-created by third-year ADM student, Lim Pei Yi, 22, and patients, that displays thoughts penned down by patients of mental illnesses. 3) CO-CREATION: Volunteers Candice Chee (left), 20, a Singapore University of Social Sciences student, and Lim listen to a patient’s question about her artwork during the co-creation process. 4) WORDS OF GRATITUDE: Guest of honour Mr Baey Yam Keng expresses his appreciation to the team of volunteers behind In My Shoes at the final exhibition at Scape. 5) WORKS OF ART: Mr Baey views the final works of art done by the patients and youth artists after months of co-creation sessions and activities. 6) REACHING OUT: Third-year ADM student Fiona Lim, 23, a returning volunteer, gives two passers-by instructions for a scratch card activity as part of this year’s event.
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CHRONICLE 10
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A MEANINGFUL SUMMER It wasn’t a typical summer break for 11 NTU students as they volunteered in a community project — In My Shoes. Photo editors Valerie Lay and Zheng Jun Cen go behind the scenes of the project’s final showcase at Scape.
T
hey could have used their free time away from school pursuing internships or gallivanting around the globe, but 11 NTU students devoted the past three months to helping out a worthy cause. The undergraduates — 10 from the School of Art, Design & Media (ADM) and one from the Nanyang Business School, spent their summer break raising awareness about mental health through art therapy as part of a community project, In My Shoes. Or ga n i se d by Un i n h ibite d Spaces, a collaborative art and design studio that uses art as a tool for socially-engaged projects, In My Shoes is held in celebration of Youth Month. The event is also supported by the National Youth Council (NYC). Currently in its second year, the project conducts art therapy sessions with patients from the Institute of Mental Health. Student volunteers (including about 20 other youths from various universities) and mental
health patients produce art works together, with activities ranging from monoprinting and origami to cutting and making collages of images. The project started after one of the founders, ADM lecturer Joy Ho, took care of a good friend coping with mental illness. Through this journey, Ho understood how it was like being in their shoes and how taking care of them required proper knowledge and sensitivity towards the patients, said volunteer Fiona Lim, 23. The project started with the intention to raise awareness to caregivers and youths especially and serve as a platform to reach out to the public regarding these issues, the third-year ADM student added. Preparations and brainstorming sessions started in May, though for Lim, a returning volunteer, it kicked off a month earlier. Previously a youth artist with the team, Lim, who majors in product design, shared how she
contributed in other areas when she volunteered again this time. “Apart from designing for the brand and visual identity of the whole project, I facilitated activities and co-created artworks with volunteers and EPIP clients,” the returning volunteer said. The co-created artworks were featured in a final exhibition held at Scape from 21 to 23 July. The student volunteers, having had the chance to work alongside the patients, also paid tribute to the patients’ efforts in making the exhibition a reality. “The aesthetics of the exhibition did not come from the artwork alone, but also the beauty of the strengths of the mental health patients behind them,” said Chan Zhi Qing, 19, a first-year NBS student. Member of Parliament Mr Baey Yam Keng attended the event as its guest of honour on 22 July. “It’s heartwarming to know that this year’s edition involved a 5-week mentorship programme — where youths worked together to help others overcome their chal-
lenges through art,” said Mr Baey. “The exhibition also gave a new perspective on mental health, and the amazing thing is that it all started because these youths had a heart for others,” he added. The exhibition’s first run was also held at Scape last year, which saw celebrities like Ah Boys to Men cast member Joshua Tan during its three-day showcase. The project also made its way to the Shine festival this year. The annual youth festival, organised by NYC, was held along Orchard Road from 30 June to 2 July. “We got to interact with the public and used this as a platform for us to promote our final exhibition to reach out to more youths to advocate for mental health,” said Lim. Volunteers whom the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to collectively ex pressed how t hey enjoyed spending their summer on this project as it allowed them to reach out to the public with regards to changing stereotypes. They felt the perception of
mental health is not very well represented, especially in the media. “Despite having a condition, they are not as different as compared to any of us,” said Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Velda Chew, 20. “They, too, have their own dreams and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses. Every individual has their own story to tell. They are just like any of us,” she added. For Lim, volunteering for the project has changed her previously negative perceptions of mental health for the better. “Changes start small, and in unexpected ways that surprises you. I once thought being mentally ill means being crazy,” she said. “However, through the interaction I had with the patients, it showed me that they are just like any individuals similar to myself and some are even leading their own businesses. “Hence, I’m really grateful to be able to see things better and erase the false impression I once had since young.”
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GRAPHIC
THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
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CHRONICLE 10 GRAPHICS BY EUGENE THAM
ISSUE 10
DAPPER NATIONAL DAY SPECIAL
SELAMAT DATANG 欢迎 HELLO 欢
Welcome to Singapore, your cultural melting pot. A tiny, sunny island where a charming mixture of ethnicities, religions and languages meet. In this issue of Dapper, we speak to students to find out about their fondest memories of our nation.
PAGE 13
14-15 DAPPER
ADITHI SURYA ADM YEAR 1
What is your fondest memory of Singapore? My fondest memory was in primary school, when we were taken to various religious places on a tour. We went to a church, a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, and even a mosque. The people at the places of worship explained to us about each religion and their tradition to educate us so that we wouldn’t face misunderstandings in future. These other traditions didn’t directly impact my life, it just made me more aware and understanding of what each religion did and how it was different from mine.
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What do you like most about Singapore? Diversity. I got to meet a lot of interesting passengers during my short stint as an Uber driver. From behind the driving wheel, I got to chat with Singaporeans from all sorts of backgrounds — there was a paraplegic who dreams of getting back on the pitch someday, a local actor cum musician who’s looking to open his own restaurant (and he recently did!), an orthopaedist who delights in the most ridiculous of jokes, and a Google employee trying to balance her demanding career with motherhood. I think this is really a testament to the kaleidoscope of characters we have on our little island, and I’m just delighted to be a part of this colourful society.
LIM JIA YAO WKW YEAR 1
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ISMIRAUDHATUL HUDA ADM YEAR 1
What is your fondest memory of Singapore? Our history. I think it is pretty cool how we were involved in pretty significant events, and I think it is what makes the country so culturally and historically rich. It is always interesting to learn about how this country came to be what it is today.
Photography MEGAN LEONG Assisted by CHEN ZHILIN Creative Direction & Text ROY TAN Assisted by STEPHANIE WONG & QUEENIE KE
Opinion EDITORIAL
NEW (SCHOOL) YEAR, OLD LESSONS With the conclusion of graduation ceremonies and course applications, the University enters a new academic year. With a new beginning, it is only natural to reflect upon the past year’s achievements. In terms of rankings, NTU has progressed in spades. It emerged tops in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and in energy science and engineering at the Shanghai Rankings of academic subjects. It was also ranked first in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Top 50 Under 50 league for universities 50 years old or younger. It even placed 11th among the world’s top universities by QS — the highest position ever achieved by an Asian or Singaporean university — a huge leap from its 2010 ranking of 74th. Yet for all the accolades, the University was not devoid of controversy in the past few months. The mishandling of the English-only signage issue at the North Spine food court in June brought NTU under the spotlight, with criticism directed at the initial response by the University as well as confusion over the policy. Just two months before that, a screenshot of an “elitist” email sent to final-year students of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences drew flak from netizens
and students alike for its perceived narrow-mindedness. One could argue that those were isolated incidents, but it is imperative not to dismiss them as simply unfortunate bad press. Rather, they should serve as reminders that NTU can ill-afford a repeat of such incidents. One already affects the University’s reputation as an institution of higher learning, let alone two. If NTU truly prides itself on being a global university, inclusiveness should be a key focus. Nobody should be left out or treated differently because of differing race, background or nationality. Every student, professor and worker is a member of the University, and deserves to be seen and treated as one. The move last year for orientation camps to be open to all was a positive step. But more needs to be done, especially with the new faces on campus. Be it through group activities or individual initiative, everyone has a part to play to create a culture of inclusiveness. The new school year means restarting with a clean slate and the opportunity to extend a long list of achivements. It is therefore crucial for the University and us to learn from these lessons and remain resilient in the face of challenges to come.
THE NANYANG
CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR
SPORTS EDITOR
LAYOUT ARTIST
SUB-EDITORS
DAPPER EDITOR Roy Tan
TEACHING ASSISTANT
PHOTO EDITORS
LAYOUT SUPERVISOR
Nicholas Tan
Justin Kor Louisa Tang Sharanya Pillai
NEWS EDITOR Paige Lim
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Amanda Chai
OPINION EDITOR Aiswarya Devi
Sean Loo
Valerie Lay Zheng Juncen
GRAPHIC EDITOR
Febriliani Tan Ryan Tan
Yeo Kai Wen
PRODUCTION SUPPORT
Toby Tan Xun Yi
Joe Tok Kenny Wong
BUSINESS MANAGERS
FACULTY ADVISORS
Sheena Wong Vanessa Tan
A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446
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GRAPHIC: TEO HSIN WEI
The act of teaching
Ryan Lim
I
was a teaching intern with an enrichment centre and in a class that I taught, I ran a side activity. The topic was directions, so I took out a map of Tokyo and had students come up with directions to landmarks, using keywords they had just learnt. Out of caprice, I asked if anybody had been to the shopping district of Akihabara. “Yes, I saw a lot of hentai!” (Hentai is a genre of sexually explicit Japanese comics or anime) “Teacher, what’s hentai?” I don’t recall how I managed to steer the discussion away from a misadventure or a parent’s complaint (these kids were 11) — but whenever I ran this activity in other classes, I made sure to only mention Disneyland. To start, classroom preparation doesn’t start with mastering your material, but with mastering yourself. I knew who Ryan Lim was, but who was Mr Ryan Lim and what was he supposed to be like in class? For a while, Mr Ryan Lim was an odd-sounding series of words students would write on my handouts. After all, for some 12 years, students trust their teachers to be infallible. To step into that teacher’s shoes is an abrupt change — becoming the one deciding when to send a student to a corner, or choosing fancy stamps to mark assignments with (I like ‘CHECK YOUR WORK’ — clean, succinct and punchy). There is a sense of strangeness when newly inducted into authority. Seconds pass in bewilderment before one realises that the fricative cher is directed at him. One may sometimes let their discomfort manifest, and the class would innocently ask if he or she was new.
For me, I explain that I am not quite new — just that their class works differently from where I used to teach — at a Starbucks outlet, comprising a single student. One soon learns that managing classrooms is partly an exercise in power — how to distribute airtime and which remarks to pay attention to. Questions and feedback from students give your class momentum, but too much of that creates a runaway train. It reminds me of improvisational theatre classes I took in school, where I learnt a “yes, and” rule. In an improvised scene, actors learn to accept premises provided by their partner and build upon those. Sometimes, the floor is opened to audience members who lob suggestions at the performer. Except that in the theatre where I work, they don’t heckle; they raise their hands and wait to be called upon. With experience, a teacher develops a reliable script for lessons — walk students through alternate questions, pace around the room purposefully every now and then, occasionally get students to present their answers like monologues. A two-hour class starts with an assigned plot and characters, ready to be stirred up by improvisations. Despite these, the teacher has to draw both facts and fancy to a satisfying conclusion. A teacher becomes the director of a script not just written by himself, but with his character written into it. In fact, is the act of lesson delivery not theatre meeting real life? Like a performance with choreographed entrances and exits, timing is crucial in class. Intuition cues you at moments to introduce a new
concept, or have students rehearse another concept with a timed exercise, or to exasperatedly ad-lib about your own life. There are intermissions like toilet breaks. Some students use mobile phones. If this was Broadway, Patti Lupone would confiscate them — teachers too have a similar choice. As a student, the best teachers stole my time — the period flies past with the intense, steady burn of a well-structured lecture or tutorial discussion. As a teacher, one has to orchestrate and enter a class into a similar voila, lining cues up and having them neatly cascade into one another. Your students go “oh...!” like applause at this payoff. Just like that, the curtains fall and class is over, though not quite — after the matinee comes another evening performance. A month into teaching, a student, 10, cried in class. She sobbed that she missed her mother — it sounded grim enough. I took her outside, assigning the rest some work. I was flustered, since I did not train to be a therapist. I sent my colleagues frantic texts as I distracted her with questions about her family and friends, which worked, because she calmed down. But amid her answers came a punchline — the last time she saw her mother was a mere three hours ago, and she would be fetching her later. I sent her back in, trying not to react to her deus ex machina. Still outside, I laughed silently and incredulously at the anti-climax, though only for seconds. After all, actors can only snap out of character for so long — there is a show still running.
Sports Kicking for gold Ng Ming Wei (blue) lands a kick on his opponent’s head. He will be making his second SEA Games appearance later this month.
Taekwondo national team member Ng Ming Wei is aiming for the top spot on the podium at the upcoming SEA Games.
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. It will be his second appearance at the biennial event, having earned a bronze medal in the men’s 54kg kyorugi (full-contact sparring) category in the 2015 edition, which was held in Singapore.
Sean Loo Sports Editor
Injury setback
S
hooting arrows was not his forte, so he donned the taekwondo dobok (uniform). Looking back, Ng Ming Wei probably wouldn’t have it any other way. The first-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences took up the martial art as a co-curricular activity when he was a Secondary One student in Maris Stella High School, after failing to make the cut for his school’s archery team. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the 22-year-old now competes for the national team, having first earned a spot in Secondary Three through selection trials in 2009. Ng is slated to compete at August’s
His journey thus far as a taekwondo fighter has, however, been far from smooth-sailing. Following his swift ascent to the national team, Ng, then 15, was looking forward to donning national colours for the first time at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). That the event was hosted in Singapore made it all the more special. But misfortune struck just a week before the selection trials for YOG. A freak accident while trying to tear down a poster in school caused four nails to pierce through his finger, resulting in a flexor tendon injury. It ruled him out of the competition for good as he would no longer qualify within the age limit of 15-18 by the next edition in 2014. Instead of wallowing in self-pity,
Ng used the setback as motivation. “Having missed the chance to participate in YOG, the 2015 SEA Games was probably my last chance in my whole career as an athlete where I could compete on home ground,” he reflected. Ng went on to finish second runnerup, alongside six of his taekwondo teammates who also attained bronze across different categories. True to his competitive nature, a podium finish does not suffice for Ng; in the upcoming edition, he has the coveted gold medal in his sights. But emerging as top in the region will certainly be no walk in the park. In his way stands SEA Games defending champion and Asian Championships silver medallist Reinaldy Atmanegara of Indonesia. He also faces the pressure of being Singapore’s sole representative in the kyorugi category this year. As such, there is no resting on his laurels. Besides slogging it out with the national team six times a week, Ng focuses on his own strength and physical trainings every morning. Capping off an intense weekly rou-
PHOTO COURTESY OF NG MING WEI
tine, he spars with the NTU Taekwondo team on Saturdays — the only day that the national team does not meet for training. “Almost all of us (the Singapore kyorugi participants) got a bronze medal during the last SEA Games and I hope to build on that,” added Ng.
to 10kg heavier than me, which is about two weight classes above. “When I go overseas I can fight people my weight class, which is more practical because different weight classes have different fighting styles. Seeing people training gives me additional motivation too,” he added.
Overseas training trips
Tokyo Olympics dream
School holidays also provide Ng with the opportunity to go on training trips overseas. To prepare for the upcoming games, Ng flew to Iran for a training trip from 11 May to 19 Jun. He subsequently headed to South Korea on 22 Jun to compete in the World Taekwondo Championships and the Korean Open. “My goal (for these trips) is to gain more experience; my ultimate goal is the SEA Games, so I’m building up for that,” Ng said. He cited the lack of suitable sparring partners in Singapore as one of the main reasons for his frequent overseas travels. “The next person here (in Singapore) closest to my weight class is about 9
While success at the SEA Games is his immediate goal, Ng has targeted the 2019 Asian Games, which requires a SEA Games medal for qualification. In addition, having failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, he will be gunning for a spot in the field of 16 for the 2020 edition in Tokyo — his last competition if he succeeds. And what better way to end it than on the grandest stage of all. Despite his hunger for success, Ng remains modest. He hopes to continue contributing to NTU’s title-winning taekwondo team in the meantime. “I’m part of the school and I hope that everyone can win together and continue maintaining our IVP (Inter-Varsity-Polytechnic Games) title,” he said.
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SPORTS
THE NANYANG
10 CHRONICLE
Breaking the ice
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FUN FAC T S
No cold feet, as the University’s Ice Skating Club welcomes all
1
Sean Loo and Febriliani Tan
W
hen Elaine Oh was in her second year, she decided to join the NTU Ice Skating Club (NTUISC), despite not knowing how to skate. Two years later, the 22-year-old is now the club's vice president. “I thought I was the only one who didn’t know how to skate," Oh, a final-year Nanyang Business School student, recalled. “But when I reached there and asked around — everybody didn’t know how to skate.” It is this friendly common ground that makes the NTUISC, the only ice skating club among local universities, stand out. Undergraduates, postgraduates and alumni from other tertiary institutions can also join the club, adding to its inclusive environment. Despite her limited experience, Oh joined the club because she wanted a sports co-curricular activity (CCA) that was “something different”, yet not too intense and time-consuming. Her first few months with the club gave her a fare share of falling down. “Once, when I was skating, I saw (a fellow club member) fall suddenly," she said. "I was shocked and immediately fell backwards, too." “(But) we found it fun even though we fell a lot,” she added.
Club membership is not limited to NTU students. Undergraduates, postgraduates and alumni from any tertiary institution are allowed to join.
2 NTUISC members enjoy a session of bumper cars during a cohesion session.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NTUISC
NTUISC is currently the only ice skating club among local universities.
3
“We love ice skating so we come together, but we also want to know more about each other.” Jacson Chong, 21 Second-year student School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Interest group
Second-year School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences student Jacson Chong, the club’s Honorary General Secretary, told the Chronicle that NTUISC regularly holds bonding events not limited to ice-skating. “We love ice skating so we come together, but we also want to know more about each other,” the 21-yearold added. Oh described the club as more of an “interest group” rather than a competitive one. For instance, the club — which has over 100 members — organised a Christmas skating event last year that included a game of Secret Santa. Oh noted that the club had many ad hoc members who may not be familiar with other members. “As we had to guess the Secret
Members taking part in a learn-to-skate session.
Santa, we interacted with one another while skating,” she said.
Learn-to-Skate
Forging bonds on ice aside, club members also enjoy discount perks at The Rink, the ice skating rink at Jurong East mall JCube, with whom NTUISC has an active partnership. Through this partnership, as well as grants allocated to the club by the Student Affairs Office, NTUISC offers members a discounted entry fee of $8 to The Rink for events held by the club. A check with The Rink’s website shows that it usually costs $21.50 for admission for two hours, including equipment rental. NTUISC members can also learn ice skating at a subsidised rate. They
pay $107 for five sessions under the Learn-to-Skate programme, in contrast to the non-subsidised price of $171.20. Each lesson lasts 30 minutes, and a maximum of five skaters are allowed per lesson. Participants are also allowed an additional two hours of practice on top of the lesson.
Non-competitive club
When asked whether their members train for any competitions, Chong pointed out that NTUISC was not meant to be a competitive club. “It is for interest only. If members want to take part in an ice skating competition, they will have to organise it by themselves,” he said. Oh added: “We don’t take up a lot of time from your studies. If you want to
PHOTO COURTESY OF NTUISC
relax and yet still want to play a sport, I think ice skating is for you.” She has a piece of advice for firsttime ice skaters: “You have to first let go of the rail. You won’t fall actually unless you go really fast.” Despite obtaining several bruises on the ice, Oh persisted due to her love for the sport. “I like gliding on the ice as I will suddenly get the feeling of freedom that just can’t be expressed in words,” she added.
NTUISC Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/ntuiceskating/
When the club was formed in 1997, trainings were held in the now-defunct Fuji Ice Palace. The establishment, which was located at Jurong Entertainment centre, closed down in 2008 with the redevelopment of the shopping centre.
4 Last year, NTUISC liaised with NTU’s curling club so their members could try out curling, a winter sport where players slide stones across ice.