From Classroom to Science Centre: Our National STEM Championship Journey

Four Secondary 3 students from Hwa Chong Institution – Zhu Junting Lyon (3i2), Lovasz Ng Shean Ray (3i1), Fu Wenrui (3i3) and Chai Kai Wen (3i2) – took part in the National STEM Championship: Game On (NSTEMC:GO), a competition that challenged students to apply their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to real-world problems. Through a series of challenges, hands-on activities and exclusive learning experiences at various institutions and organisations, the team put their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test. Their journey was also captured in a five-episode YouTube series, offering a glimpse into the competition and their experiences along the way. Here in this article, one of the participants reflects on their journey, the challenges they encountered and the valuable lessons they gained along the way.

Written by: Zhu Junting Lyon (3i2, 2026)

When we first embarked on the National STEM Championship, none of us knew quite what to expect. We knew there would be four rounds, challenging questions and intense eliminations. All we hoped for was an opportunity to put our scientific knowledge to the test. Naturally, we aimed to reach the finals and win the Championship. However, as it turned out, our journey came to an end in the third round, with us securing a place among the top six teams.

Although we were disappointed by our elimination, looking back, we realised that the experience was uniquely enriching and rewarding in its own right. Not only did we get to test our scientific knowledge and apply it to real-world challenges, but we also gained valuable insights through corporate visits and hands-on learning experiences.

Our NSTEMC journey unfolded over three rounds, each bringing its own set of challenges and learning opportunities.

Round 1: Putting Our Knowledge to the Test

The first round was our first real taste of the Championship. As we entered the Science Centre, we felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This was the mass elimination round, in which only eight teams would advance to the second round. There were four challenges in total, each testing a different field of STEM.

Each challenge came with a time limit, and additional points were awarded to teams that completed it in less time. This added to the pressure, as we had to find the correct answers both accurately and quickly. Fortunately, the challenges in this round were largely knowledge-based, allowing us to draw on concepts we had learnt in school to tackle the questions.

Nevertheless, some questions were highly challenging and covered topics beyond what we had studied. Through these challenges, we also picked up new knowledge in areas such as marine biology, which we might not otherwise have had the opportunity to explore.

As we had struggled with a few questions, we were uncertain whether we had done enough to qualify for the next round. Thankfully, when the results were announced, we were delighted to learn that we had progressed – and had even secured first place in the round!

Round 2: Applying Science in Practice

The second round was held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. We began the day with a tour of its School of Health Sciences, where we explored the facilities used for nursing education. A lecturer introduced us to a mock hospital setup and explained various nursing and first-aid procedures. Having never been exposed to such training before, we found the experience an eye-opener, as it gave us a deeper understanding of the healthcare industry.

Next, we visited the School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, where we toured a medicine-making laboratory. We learnt about the processes involved in manufacturing medicines and gained a better understanding of pharmaceutical science. More excitingly, we even had the opportunity to make our own tablets, allowing us to see how scientific theories could be applied in practice.

After the tours and learning sessions, it was time for the challenges. Unlike those in the first round, these were more hands-on and required us to apply what we had learnt during the visits, particularly in areas such as medicine-making protocols and clinical care.

One of the mini challenges required us to put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly and as quickly as possible, with the fastest team winning. Unfortunately, we did not win either of the two mini challenges and therefore missed out on the opportunity to gain an advantage in the main challenge.

For the main challenge, we were tasked with investigating a food poisoning case using laboratory instruments and common reagents. Besides identifying the cause of the poisoning, we also had to prepare a five-minute presentation for a panel of Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturers, who would assess our overall performance and decide which teams would progress. We had just 40 minutes to complete everything!

Working together, we managed to identify the source of the poisoning through a series of food tests. This gave us valuable time to prepare and refine our presentation. We decided to start with a skit, which caught the judges' attention and added a unique touch to our presentation. After all the teams had presented, the results were announced: we had clinched first place in the round and secured our spot among the six schools advancing to the next stage!

Round 3: Exploring the World of Technology and Defence

For the third round, we visited the Micron North Coast centre, where we toured its semiconductor manufacturing floor and learnt about the intricate structures and designs of semiconductors. We also gained a greater appreciation of their importance in today's increasingly digital world, particularly their role in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Afterwards, we headed to the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) Experience Centre. There, we explored an exhibition showcasing Singapore's defence technological capabilities, with a particular focus on submarine systems.

Given the security clearance requirements and stringent safety procedures at both sites, these were places that we would unlikely have had the opportunity to visit on our own. This made the experience all the more valuable.

The third-round challenge was divided into two stages. In an interesting twist, two schools were paired to form one team, resulting in three combined teams representing the six qualifying schools.

In the first stage, we had to identify a faulty semiconductor chip based on various pieces of evidence and test results provided, before presenting our findings to judges from Micron. In the second stage, we were tasked with identifying objects captured in a submarine's seabed sonar scan and determining their locations.

In our opinion, these challenges were significantly more difficult than those in the previous round. We had to quickly absorb and apply the unfamiliar information we had just learnt earlier that day, using it to tackle problems that required both critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Unfortunately, after a closely contested battle among the three teams across both challenges, we were unable to secure a place in the final round. This brought our Championship journey to an end.

While we were certainly disappointed to have come so close to the finals yet fall short of our goal, we were nonetheless grateful for the opportunity to participate. Looking back, the Championship offered us a unique learning experience. From testing our theoretical knowledge to applying practical skills and tackling unfamiliar, real-world challenges, we were constantly pushed beyond our comfort zones and the limits of what we already knew.

Although we did not make it to the finals, finishing among the top six teams was an achievement we could be proud of. Ultimately, NSTEMC broadened our perspectives and allowed us to see STEM beyond the classroom, leaving us with a deeper appreciation of its possibilities and real-world applications.