Science Centre Singapore honoured nine students as the finalists of the National STEM Talent Search (NSTS) 2024, and crowned Martin Koh Zhen Xuan from the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, as the first prize winner, in a joint award ceremony of Singapore Science & Engineering Fair 2024 (SSEF) and the National STEM Talent Search (NSTS) 2024, for his outstanding and innovative submission in the field of engineering.
Organised by Science Centre Singapore with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE), NSTS is an acclaimed competition that aims to motivate and accord national recognition to students who excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). From 69 applications that were submitted for NSTS, nine finalists were shortlisted for their groundbreaking projects with the potential to impact the fields of engineering, computer science and mathematics, biomedical and material science. Ang Gedeon Kusuma from Raffles Institution and Wu Jaiqui from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science were selected as the second and the third winners of the competition, respectively.
The finalists and winners of the National STEM Talent Search 2024 with (left) Professor Lim Seh Chun, Advisor, Special Projects, Office of Provost, SUTD and (right) Professor Ng Huck Hui, Assistant Chief Executive for Research and Talent Development, A*STAR and the Chief Judge of NSTS competition
These nine NSTS finalists were judged on five technical and non-technical parameters such as, creative ability & independent thinking, scientific attitude and interest, potential to realize R&D vision, science communication, and depth of project understanding. This year’s NSTS finalists also represented some of the best submissions from the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair 2024 (SSEF) – a competition that gathered the nation’s brightest young scientists to tackle some of society’s biggest scientific issues. SSEF also conferred its Gold awards to 27 student projects after shortlisting a total of 350 submissions out of 617 applications.
The joint award ceremony facilitated by Science Centre Singapore celebrated the culmination of an inspiring journey that challenged students to address real-world challenges around sustainability, digital age misinformation, medical conditions and diseases, improper computer system management, etc. All winners and shortlists in both competitions, were meticulously chosen for their ingenuity and dedication in developing groundbreaking projects across a diverse range of scientific disciplines.
“We are incredibly proud of these young minds and the incredible feat they have achieved. Their understanding of complex STEM theories and applications is truly inspiring. These students haven’t just demonstrated remarkable intelligence, but also a relentless drive to innovate and solve real-world problems through their R&D”, said Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive of Science Centre Board. “Both SSEF & NSTS are not just about celebrating innovative scientific projects; it’s also about stimulating future scientific progress in Singapore and beyond. By fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving at a young age, we are empowering these students to become the next generation of scientists and engineers to address critical issues faced not just by Singapore, but potentially the world.”
The first prize winning NSTS project, titled, ‘Precession, nutation, and dynamic trajectory of a magnetic rod in an axisymmetric magnetic field’, studied the precession and nutation of a magnetic rod in an axisymmetric magnetic field. Mentored by Dr. Bernard Ricardo at the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, Martin Koh Zhen Xuan set out to understand the forces on spinning objects in his research by using magnetic rods in different magnetic fields. The experimental findings from his research have potential applications in areas such as engineering.
“Judging this year’s NSTS competition was truly an extraordinary experience. All projects showcased astonishing vision and deep technical expertise”, said Professor Ng Huck Hui, Assistant Chief Executive for Research and Talent Development, A*STAR who was the Chief Judge of the competition. These competitions are more than just contests; they’re a breeding ground for future breakthroughs. One thing that stands out is the passion these young students possess, which gives us the confidence that the ecosystem of science and technology will witness greater developments in the future.”
The top three winners of NSTS 2024 went home with cash prizes worth $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively, along with a trophy and certificate. The remaining six finalists received commendation awards in the form of a $1,000 cash prize and a certificate. In addition, two of the finalists were selected for special awards – Gan Kah Shuen received the Chief Judge Special Award, and Vivienne Chua Xuan Yu received the Chairman Special Award. Furthermore, six teams from SSEF 2024 have been selected to represent Singapore in the Olympics of Science Competitions – the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 (ISEF), held in in Los Angeles, California from May 11-17, 2024. Other select winners will also represent Singapore at regionwide fairs and events.
For more information, please visit https://www.science.edu.sg/for-schools/competitions/National-STEM-Talent-Search
Photos credit to Science Centre Singapore
