SiA has given us the opportunity to experience first-hand scientific research, letting us experience what it is like inside the shoes of a scientist, including planning and executing experiments.

SiA has enabled us to grow closer and meet new, inspiring people who have guided us, and are still are, alongside with us on our journey. 

The journey through SiA has allowed us to work with like-minded people from all over the globe in the field of Science, and we are ever grateful for that.

Tan Pin Soon Rich (4C1) and Karthikeyan Bharathi (4C1) are from the school’s Science-in-Action Research Mentorship Programme. They participated in the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2019, which was organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore (SCS). The SSEF is affiliated to the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which is regarded as the Olympics of Science Competitions.

Their integrity and empathy showed through when they were able to contribute to intellectual discussion and plan and conduct their experiments independently and safely. They worked hard and were awarded with a Gold Award at SSEF 2019. Being able to empathise and respect the people they communicated with at the fair, defending their work and experiments creatively and intelligently, together with their team-mate (Joshua Tan 4C1), they were also presented with a Special Award by the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS) on top of the Gold Award for their efforts. Another team from our school, Heng Wern Li Cloris (4D1) and Dai Kexin (4D1) also worked very hard and managed to clinch a Bronze Award at SSEF 2019.

Bharathi and Rich, together with Hai Xuan from Raffles Institution were nominated by MOE to represent Singapore at the Fifth ASEAN Student Science Project Competition (ASPC) 2019, which was held at the National Science Museum in Pathum Thani, Thailand, from 21 July to 27 July 2019. This competition aimed to encourage students in developing skills in Science and Technology such as experimentation, communication and innovation. Participating in this competition allowed the students in the ASEAN countries to practise solving problems in daily life and provided a venue for students to foster friendships and networking amongst each other. Bharathi and Rich were able to bite their nerves and successfully anchored the team to the finish. They answered trains of questions from judges around the region and did not lose their cool, calm and composure. The regional judges from the various tertiary universities were impressed by their effort and even against other very impressive communicators, Bharathi and Rich led the team to the top prize at the ASEAN fair, the Project of the Year 2019 for their research project ‘The Tumour Suppressor Fumarase promotes DNA repair by succinylating the Linker Histone H1’. They have indeed done Singapore and CTSS proud!

Bharathi and Rich are very grateful to have been given this opportunity to represent Singapore in an overseas competition. It has helped them to broaden their view of our South-East Asian region, allowing them to learn more about the culture of other ASEAN countries while simultaneously being exposed to regional scientific projects and ideas.

Lim Jun Teck, Bryan (4D1), Chew Kuan Yu Ervin (4D1) and Kuok Ray Ann (4B1) are from the school’s Science-in-Action Research Mentorship Programme. They embarked on an extraordinary journey, starting with their participation in the prestigious Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2021 organized by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore (SCS). This gave them a platform to showcase their remarkable scientific talents and innovation. This event was a significant milestone, recognising their dedication to scientific exploration and their capacity to excel at the national level.

They demonstrated their determination and proficiency by conducting their experiments independently and safely. They also excelled in communicating the results of their lab work with a profound sense of respect, empathy, and integrity to the judges they communicated with at the fair. They engaged in intellectual discussions and defended their work and experiments creatively and intelligently. Their ability to plan and execute experiments with precision, while upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, was instrumental in securing the prestigious Gold Award at SSEF 2021.

Their success at SSEF paved the way for an even more remarkable opportunity. Due to their outstanding achievements, they received a special invitation to participate in the Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl (GYSTB). This invitation was a reflection of their exceptional capabilities and a recognition of their potential on an international scale.

In the GYSTB, a competition that brings together some of the brightest young minds from around the world, Ervin, Bryan, and Ray Ann faced formidable challenges and performed exceptionally well under pressure. Their ability to remain steadfast and focused in the face of intense competition showcased their dedication and resilience. Through their collective efforts, they not only achieved the Grand Prize - Silver Award but also brought immense pride to both Singapore and Clementi Town Secondary School (CTSS).

Ervin, Bryan, and Ray Ann are all deeply grateful for the opportunities provided to them. These experiences have not only broadened their horizons but also allowed them to learn more about cultures and scientific ideas from around the world. They have not only been grateful for the experience they've received but also for the chance to represent our school and our nation on the global stage. Their gratitude shines through as they continue to inspire us all with their commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.

N D Durghadeve (4C1),  Lim Ainsley (4C1) and Bryan Lee Jia Cheng (4C1) are from the school’s Science-in-Action Research Mentorship Programme. They participated in the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2021, which was organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore (SCS). The SSEF is affiliated to the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which is regarded as the Olympics of Science Competitions. They also took part in the Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) 2022, which was organized by National Taiwan Science Education Center (NTSEC).

Through their meticulous preparation and persistent inquiry to deepen their understanding about their project, they were able to design, perform and analyse experiments on their own under the guidance of Dr Norbert Lehming, SIA Teachers and Seniors. Although the COVID-19 situation hindered their ability to properly communicate with judges and other participants of the fair due to it being online, they were still able to effectively communicate the details and ideas behind the project.  With an emphasis on effective poster design and science communication, they performed well and were awarded the Gold Award at SSEF 2021, while also receiving a Special Award by the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS).

Durgha, Ainsley and Bryan were selected by MOE to represent Singapore at the TISF 2022, held online through video-conferencing platforms, from January 24th to January 28th 2022. The competition aims to inspire and foster youth to be more innovative and passionate in science, as well as develop skills related to communication and scientific research. The participating countries were from the European and Asian regions, including the USA, Norway, the Russian Federation and South Korea. Through the virtual welcome party and virtual Model United Nations events, they were able to interact with international students from these countries and learn about their cultures. The panel of judges were satisfied by the quality of their presentation and the way they defended their project under the scrutiny of the Judges during the Q&A segment, earning their project, titled “Host Target Proteins of the Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2” the top “First Award” prize under the “Medicine and Health Sciences” category. 

Durgha, Ainsley and Bryan are deeply thankful for the opportunity to represent Singapore in TISF 2022. It broadened their horizons and helped them learn about other cultures, while also being able to communicate with fellow, like-minded individuals passionate about research and discover what other people across the world are researching.

Balasubramanian Tharoon (4C1) and Chevy Lim Wei Jun (4C1) are from the Clementi Town Secondary School’s Science-in-Action Research Mentorship Programme. They were given the opportunity to represent the school in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2022, which is a national competition organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Science Centre Singapore (SCS). The SSEF is affiliated to the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is regarded as the Olympics of science competitions.

During the SSEF, Tharoon and Chevy confidently and enthusiastically pitched their project to their judges who are experts in the field of molecular and cellular biology. They took turns using visual aids in their slides to effectively communicate their points to the judges. This enabled the judges to gain a complete understanding of their project and share their opinions of it. Tharoon and Chevy were also open-minded in listening to their judges’ feedback and could explain their group’s thought processes. This showed the judges that Tharoon and Chevy could take ownership of their project and engage in effective scientific communication. As a result, Tharoon and Chevy achieved the gold award in SSEF. They are satisfied to see how much they have developed through the research journey. They started with small steps like constructing research plans and presenting it to their mentor together. Gradually, they could work collaboratively to finish the experiments they had planned and also learnt crucial biological concepts. With sustained efforts, their teamwork grew more effective which eventually led them to their success in the SSEF. Overall, SSEF was an eye opening experience for Tharoon and Chevy which opened their eyes to the world of research. 

Based on their SSEF performance, Tharoon and Chevy were nominated by MOE to represent Singapore at the Global Youth Science and Technology Bowl (GYSTB) 2022 which is an international student science fair in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Engineering based in Hong Kong. GYSTB is a platform for youths to develop creativity and scientific mindsets while showcasing their scientific achievements and innovation. Despite attending GYSTB in an online setting, Tharoon and Chevy had exhibited unwavering enthusiasm and passion in sharing their project to others. They learnt the importance of adapting, especially in an English-speaking environment distinct from their own. They also managed to keep their composure and remained confident while answering the judges’ questions succinctly. The judges from various research fields were impressed by their findings, together with the great technical knowledge exhibited by them during the Q&A session. This allowed the duo to clinch the Grand Silver Award, along with the Visitors’ Favorite Award given the pertinence and relatability of their project to the masses.

For Tharoon and Chevy, the significance of participating in SSEF and GYSTB extends beyond mere competitions. They view these experiences as invaluable opportunities for personal growth, encapsulating the principles of humility and the knowledge exchanged from their interactions with students and judges from diverse corners of the globe. Their profound gratitude extends to their research mentor, teachers and seniors who supported them throughout their research journey. This experience has certainly served as a stepping stone, propelling them forward to pursue their passion in Science in the near future.

Branden Zhao Kang Jun (4A1) and Anselmo Klement Chua (4A1) were from the CTSS Science-in-Action Research Programme. They had the opportunity to represent the school in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2022, which is a national competition organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Science Centre Singapore (SCS). The SSEF is affiliated with the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), regarded as the Olympics of science competitions.

Branden and Klement’s passion shone through when they spent countless hours in the laboratory having discussions and conducting experiments for their project. Branden and Klement then confidently and succinctly presented their project at SSEF 2022 to esteemed judges who were experts in the field of molecular and cellular biology. The judges had doubts and questions which Branden and Klement were able to answer firmly while remaining open-minded. With heart and hard work, they were awarded the Gold Award at SSEF 2022.

Following SSEF, Branden and Klement were selected to represent Singapore at Regeneron ISEF 2022, the world’s largest and most renowned pre-college science fair. Held as a hybrid fair in Atlanta, Georgia, it brought together nearly 1800 budding scientists from throughout the world to showcase their innovations and research findings from their science projects. Students get to forge lasting connections, engage in enriching scientific discourse and learn from trailblazers across different STEM disciplines. Throughout their time in ISEF, Branden and Klement remained flexible and exhibited unwavering determination in the face of numerous challenges. As Singapore was participating in the fair virtually, judging was held over an online medium in the dead of night. Yet, Branden and Klement remained unfettered by these spatio-temporal constraints, and enthusiastically answered the barrage of deep and thought-provoking questions posed by the judges. The judges, who were distinguished scientists in their respective fields, were impressed by their zeal and scientific knowledge, as well as their originality and independence in their project. As such, Branden and Klement were conferred with the Special Award by the China Association of Science and Technology, being one of the ten teams across the globe to do so.

Reflecting on their time in the Science-in-Action Research Mentorship Programme – from their times in the laboratory to representing the school and Singapore at science fairs, they have come a long way, and have picked up invaluable skills that will serve them well in, and beyond, their scientific journeys. Branden and Klement are very grateful for those who guided them along the way and look forward to the next chapter of their journey.