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Commonwealth Secondary School

The TrailBlazer Programme

Explore how Commonwealth Secondary School's TrailBlazer Programme lets students create, make, and grow through weekly workshops and self-led projects across STEM, arts, food, and more.

Last updated 7 September 2026

The TrailBlazer Programme

CWSS TrailBlazer - Innovation & Design Website (opens in new tab)

The Trailblazer Programme Sway Site for students (opens in new tab)

Commonwealth Secondary School adopted Design Thinking & Maker Education since 2014. Over the years, it has expanded into the TrailBlazer Programme where students have the freedom to choose any types of purposeful making and creation. All Commonwealthians are encouraged to take part in TrailBalzer Programme through the following ways:

  1. TrailBlazer Workshops offered by school

Every week, a wide range of making/creating workshops are offered for students to sign up. There are different types of making to cater to the diverse interests and  talents of our students. This includes

  • STEM-based making

  • Digital Maker

  • Aesthetics Maker (Dance, Music, Video, Production & Hosting etc.)

  • Arteastiq and Master Art Class (Art Maker)

  • Tinkering Kitchen (Food Maker)

  • Wordsmiths (Creative Writing),

  • Special workshops offered by fellow Commonealthians, parents and external partners

2. Self-Initiated Projects

Students are strongly encouraged to initiate their own making/creating projects beyond what are offered by school. To start a self-initiated project, students can

  • Extend from what they learn from school-offered TrailBlazer Workshops (supported by TrailBlazer teachers)

  • Take up an extension topic of an academic subject and create a product to deepen learning (supported by Academic Programme Departments)

  • Take up a design challenge and create a solution to improve others’ life (supported by Design Thinking teachers)

  • Pursue own interest and passion to make any type of purposeful creations

From July 2021, Thursday afternoons are TrailBlazer Space time for all Commonwealthians. During TrailBlazer Space time, students can either take part in TrailBlazer Workshops of their interest or work on their self-initiated projects, at various places such as D.space (Maker space), Cordon Bleu (Kitchen), Imaginarium (Library), Sandbox (Computer labs), Louvre (Art room), Design Loft, or even at home as part of Blended Learning.  

Through TrailBlazer Programme, all students can be recognized for the values of adventurousness and enterprise they demonstrate.  Their creations will be celebrated, they can build their creativity portfolio, and they will also have the opportunity to participate in various exhibitions and competitions. They are recognised in Trailblazer attainment levels:

Four-level SIM framework diagram from Awareness to Accomplishment, each with upward arrows and descriptive text boxes.

Some of the TrailBlazer Programme activities that have been conducted include:

3D printing Workshop (STEM Making @ D.space)

Collage showing a Tinkercad 3D printing workshop flyer, students with a 3D printer, and printed name and model examples.

Hydraulic & Pneumatic Engineering Home-based Workshop (STEM Making)

STEM Maker flyer for a hydraulic and pneumatic engineer take-home kit with craft models and syringes shown.

Various Making @ D.space

Collage of students in a workshop; one gives thumbs up behind a glowing SEOUL skyline model.

Micro:bit Remote Control Car Workshop (Digital Making)

Flyer for a micro:bit Bluetooth vehicle-building workshop, with photos of student-made cardboard cars and a child controlling one.

Needle Felting Art Workshop (Arteastiq)

Flyer for Miss Bernice Lau's needle felt craft workshop alongside students making and holding small felted animal figurines.

Master Art Class (Arteastiq)

Four-photo collage of a Master Art Class showing students holding paintings and art supplies including gesso jars.

Cake Pop Workshop (Tinkering Kitchen)

Students in aprons and masks make colorful sprinkle-covered cake pops in a school kitchen, shown in five photos.

Photography Workshop (Aesthetic Making)

Flyer for a 2021 Photography Elective Visual Diary program showing students doing light painting photography in dark settings.

Various Aesthetic Making - Music, Dance, Vocal, Video Production

Collage of youth performing violin, dance, drumming, and video editing software on a screen.

Making in Academic Programmes

Four student project panels labeled English, Math, Science, and Humanities showing handmade models and crafts.