Total Defence Day

On the 13th of February, our school celebrated Total Defence Day. We also had our annual cross-country. This two events were both held at Nanyang Polytechnic and it lasted for around four hours.First, we assembled at the amphitheatre in Nanyang Polytechnic where we wait for our teachers to take our attendance. After that, we started to commemerate the Total Defence Day. One of the teachers came out and asked some questions about Total Defence. Later, the uniform groups came out to show us the survival skills which we can use then in our daily lives.

After that, we proceeded to the stadium which was just beside amphitheatre to start the cross-country. First, the B-division girls started the run and later, the C-division girls. Next, it was the C-division boys and I was in that category. I was representing my class in the race. After running 3.6km, I found that I have clinched the 6th position. Later, the prize presentation started. I was so proud that I have at least get the 6th position as I do not expect too much. I knew there were a few of the runners who were faster then me. The class position results were not out as there were not much time left for the presentation.

Chek Jawa

During the English lessons, our teacher gave us an assignment which was going on a virtual tour of Chek Jawa. I did not even know where exactly is Chek Jawa. After doing some researches on the Google website, Chek Jawa was actually located in Pulau Ubin, Singapore.

This was what fascinated me. This is actually the sea stars. This is the one which is knobby with purple branching sponge. Sea stars exhibit a superficially radial symmetry. They typically have five "arms" which radiate from a central disk. However, the evolutionary ancestors of echinoderms are believed to have had bilateral symmetry. Sea stars do exhibit some superficial remnant of this body structure, evident in their larval pluteus forms.

Sea stars do not rely on a jointed, movable skeleton for support and locomotion (although they are protected by their skeleton), but instead possess a hydraulic water vascular system that aids in locomotion. The water vascular system has many projections called tube feet on the ventral face of the sea star's arms which function in locomotion and aid with feeding. Sea stars usually hunt for shelled animals such as oysters and clams. They have two stomachs. One stomach is used for digestion, and the other stomach can be extended outward to engulf and digest prey. This feature allows the sea star to hunt prey that is much larger than its mouth would otherwise allow. Sea stars are able to regenerate lost arms. A new sea star may be regenerated from a single arm attached to a portion of the central disk.

I always think that some of the rare species found in Chek Jawa can be seen in Singapore. After finding where is Chek Jawa, the rare species of animals and plants are actually found there. If I have the opportunity to go on the tour in Chek Jawa (located in Pulau Ubin), I will definitely go and have some pictures taken with the sea stars.

Information are taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_star

Pictures are taken from: http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/ria/text/194.htm

http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/ria/text/223.htm