Growth and Discovery Beyond the Lab: CenTaD Poster Exhibition 2026

Written by: Lei Yanyang (25S61)

Edited by: Gilbert Goh Jian Tian (25S6C)

Students visiting booths during the CenTaD Poster Exhibition. Students' Science Research Club/Amy

The Centre for Science Research & Talent Development Programme (CenTaD) Poster Exhibition 2026, organised by Hwa Chong's Students' Science Research Club (SSRC), was held on 27 February 2026 in the Inner Plaza. During this fair, student researchers had the opportunity to present their research posters to teachers and fellow students.

Over the past year, students undertaking research projects such as CenTaD, the Science Research Programme (SRP), and the Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) were immersed in scientific study, engaging in experimentation, analysis, collaboration with external partners, and report-writing. The posters displayed during the exhibition introduced attendees to the general background of student researchers’ projects, and detailed their investigations in a concise and attractive manner.

Student researchers presenting their project to a reviewing teacher. Students' Science Research Club/Amy

Student researchers displayed their large posters at the Inner Plaza and conducted short presentations for teachers. The student body was invited to visit the exhibition and find out more about the endeavours of their peers. The school also invited two A*STAR scientists, who studied students’ posters and shared their insights.

For many student researchers, the CenTaD Poster Exhibition gave them practice for the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair around the corner, allowing them to further refine their posters and presentations. This exhibition also offered aspiring C1 student researchers a glimpse of what undertaking a scientific research project would entail in the lead-up to signups for CenTaD 2026. The event provided an eye-opening and inspiring opportunity for student researchers and attendees alike, acting as an avenue for students to communicate their findings, broaden their perspectives and hone their presentation skills.

Reflections on Research: My Takeaways from CenTaD

Standing beside my group’s poster as students and teachers alike drifted around the venue, I realised that being a student researcher goes beyond academic rigour and obtaining results – stewardship is equally crucial. To be able to sustain long-term and consistent engagement with equations, graphs and complex concepts outside the classroom requires, first and foremost, a sense of responsibility, not just to ourselves, but also our groupmates, mentors, supporting organisations, and last but not least, the school’s name. To represent Hwa Chong as part of the CenTaD Poster Exhibition this year meant for me an opportunity to inspire and uplift; to guide and inform; and to share and pass on the legacy of inquiry and excellence of the school and our seniors, to our peers, juniors, and visitors. I am deeply grateful for this chance to showcase the results of my work over the past year, and play a part in facilitating a culture of curiosity and growth in Hwa Chong.

Over the past year, working with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, I learnt that learning is never a straightforward and smooth process – the presence of mistakes and setbacks is inevitable; what matters most is our ability to bounce back stronger. Within the context of scientific research, resilience and inquisitiveness are hence invaluable assets.

My research group at the Solar Park at Marina Barrage. Publications Society/Yanyang

Being able to remain hardy and motivated in spite of challenges is indubitably crucial in research. Having a growth mindset enables one to view failures not simply at face value as a defeat, but rather as an opportunity to learn from one’s mistakes, as a reminder to approach the question from a different perspective, and as a guiding hand towards improved outcomes. For my group, our initial testing involved varying the width of solar cell busbars to identify its impacts on solar cell performance. However, we soon realised that simply changing the width would lead to too much sunlight becoming blocked. Instead of treating this setback as a dead-end, we saw it as a pivot-point, looking at the problem from a different perspective. Hence, we varied the number of busbars alongside their widths, so as to minimise the impacts of shading, while allowing us to observe the effects of changes in resistance of busbars of different thicknesses.

Inquisitiveness is another crucial value in research. In navigating a topic outside of the syllabus, it is important for student researchers to be able to comprehensively understand their work and its background. In this aspect, being able to leverage on the experience of mentors and teachers in confirming one’s understanding, clarifying doubts and dispelling uncertainties is a huge plus. I recall profoundly how my group’s teacher-mentor, Dr Erkan Polatdemir, would constantly remind my group and me to remember to ‘ask questions’ during our meetings with our external mentor. Indeed, it is this zest for knowledge, initiative to seek clarity and intellectual humility that is key to allowing one to consolidate their learning and build up a strong foundation for deeper exploration and analysis.

For me and other student researchers, I feel it goes without saying that the CenTaD Poster Exhibition goes beyond just an exhibition; it was a bridge between the lab and the wider school community, and a welcome opportunity for both attendees and presenters alike. While CenTaD 2025 has come to an end, I hope the spirit of resilience and curiosity continues to guide us in all that we do, challenging us to never stop asking the questions that drive learning and discovery.