Dinner and Dance 2024: Thálassa

A Welcomed Respite!

“Thálassa”, the theme of this year’s Dinner and Dance (DnD), promised an enchanting evening and delivered an experience like no other. The annual event celebrates the achievements and our hard work for the past year, showcasing that our journey in CNYSP is not merely about academic pursuits but also embracing the joy and camaraderie along the way. Held at Holiday Inn Orchard, DnD 2024 was a captivating journey from start to finish.

The evening began with the warmth of familiar faces, as scholars from various disciplines and years came together, united by a shared sense of community and anticipation. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, a prelude to the night of fun ahead. Our scholars were treated to a delicious gourmet four-course banquet, each dish a masterpiece of culinary excellence designed to delight the palate and fuel conversations. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the hum of animated discussions, bonds were strengthened, and new friendships were forged.

However, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the dazzling performances by our very own talented scholars. The prodigious CNYSP duo of Li Yang and Timothy presented a medley of pop songs, such as Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, Shallow, True Colours and Enchanted by Taylor Swift. Our ears were also graced with the melodious sounds of CN Yang’s very own Acapella group, composed of our exceptionally talented members of Gavin, Liyang, Lloyd, Elijiah, Chung Hean, Zi Wei and Jennifer! These moments not only showcased the incredible talent within our community but also served as a powerful reminder of the diverse interests and passions that thrive within CNYSP. 

The evening was further enlivened by our humorous Emcees, Josiah and Yongjian, who captivated the audience with their wit and charm. Their dynamic presence set a lively tone for the night, guiding us through an array of interactive segments such as the engaging Kahoot and Mentimeter quizzes, sparking friendly competition and laughter throughout the room. 

As the night drew to a close, it was clear that DnD 2024 had left an indelible mark on all who attended. It was more than just a night of fun; it was a memorable journey that highlighted the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our scholar community.

Thank you to the DnD ’24 Committee for organising Thálassa!

Discovery Camp 2024

Kairos: Opportune Time

The CNYSP Discovery Camp (Disco) is a three-day event hosted by the CN Yang Scholars Programme for prospective students in tertiary education. This event emphasises the essence of the CN Yang Scholars Programme: research in STEM. Participants are introduced to various scientific exhibitions showcased by our Scholars and acquaint themselves with the vibrant NTU campus, where they will play a series of science-inspired games. They will also get hands-on experience in NTU’s state-of-the-art laboratories, offering a taste of the life of a student researcher. 

Day 1: Igniting the Spark of Curiosity

The adventure commenced with a Research Symposium that showcased the rich tapestry of discoveries and experiences unique to the CN Yang Scholars Programme. Alumni and current scholars shared their journeys, covering the Overseas Final Year Project (OFYP), Making and Tinkering (MnT), and the dynamic CN Yang Scholars Club, illuminating the path for aspiring researchers.

Culinary Chemistry and Stellar Explorations

The afternoon was marked by hands-on experiences in the Food Science and Technology (FST) lab, where participants dabbled in experiments like strawberry DNA extraction and explored the enzymatic actions of pineapple. The visit to the Satellite Research Centre (SARC) unveiled the intricacies of satellite technology, igniting imaginations about the endless possibilities within the realm of scientific inquiry.

Nurturing Future Innovators

The day concluded with a Peer Mentoring Programme session, offering a platform for participants to engage with seniors from their intended majors. This interactive session provided invaluable insights into the academic journey ahead, fostering a sense of community and support among the participants.

Day 2: An Odyssey of Time and Trials

The second day unfolded with a compelling narrative: the story of five scientists transported to Mount Olympus to partake in a series of challenges orchestrated by Chronos, the Greek god of time, to restore the universe’s timeline. This imaginative backdrop served as the foundation for a day filled with team-building icebreakers and station games designed to test the participants’ wit, creativity, and teamwork.

Trials of Knowledge and Ingenuity

From navigating a ‘landmine’ to building bridges emblematic of the Industrial Revolution, each challenge was a testament to the scientists’ perseverance and ingenuity. The day reached its zenith with a rousing game of Jeopardy, where science-themed questions kept everyone on their toes, culminating in a celebration of knowledge and laughter.

Day 3: Culminating in Creativity and Collaboration

The final day saw the young aspirants engaging in tasks set by Chronos to win his favour, including designing breathtaking creations and assisting Hermes in a quest. Participants were immersed in the world of material science at the Facility for Analysis, Characterisation, Testing, and Simulation (FACTS), ventured into bioinformatics, went hands-on in the Making and Tinkering lab, and navigated a laser maze, embodying the spirit of innovation.

A Journey Remembered

The closing ceremony was a poignant reminder of the camaraderie and growth experienced over the three days. A video montage of memories was shared, highlighting the moments of discovery, laughter, and teamwork. The celebration concluded with the announcement of the camp’s winning groups, Galileo and Cajal, exemplifying the spirit of scientific inquiry and exploration that defined Disco ’24.

Reflections on the Odyssey

Disco ’24 was more than just a camp; it was a journey of discovery, learning, and inspiration. Participants left with not just memories but a renewed passion for science and research, echoing the ethos of the CN Yang Scholars Programme. As we look back on these three days, it’s clear that the adventure has just begun for these young explorers, poised to embark on their own odysseys in the vast universe of STEM.

Paddle For The Planet

Helping the environment while having fun!

In February, our Scholars had the opportunity to attend a marine debris cleanup activity organised by the Community Engagement (CE) Portfolio. Named ‘Paddle for the Planet’, the CE portfolio decided to organise this activity to give our scholars the opportunity to interact first-hand with the ocean and see the effects of pollution in a maritime environment unfamiliar to them. 

In the early Saturday morning light, our Scholars began with a thorough safety brief as many of us were first-time-kayakers. This was followed with some tips on how to paddle efficiently before we set off into the ocean. After some practice paddling around in pairs, our Scholars kayaked to a nearby mangrove to kick-start the real purpose of this event. Offering simultaneously a nature-filled escape from the daily stress and helping to maintain the environment, our Scholars cleared up bottles, nylon strings, and other debris typically inaccessible to the daily cleaning the area underwent. 

Amidst picking up plastic food wrappers and old plastic bottles, our guide emphasized the importance of living a more environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle to protect the nature that is around us. Some Scholars described the experience as having been ‘fulfilling’ and a unique experience, particularly for our first-time kayakers. Josiah Teo, a CNYSC member, explained that the experience allowed him to bond with his schoolmates and forge memories. 

Thank you to our 16MC Community Engagement Portfolio for organising this event!

 

Getting Over It!

Exams aren’t the only hurdles we climb over!

At the start of November, our scholars had the opportunity to attend a beginner’s bouldering workshop led by two experienced boulderers in learning the basics of this fun but challenging sport. Here’s what one of our scholars had to say about his first-time experience bouldering.

“As a bouldering newbie, seeing the more experienced climbers in the bouldering gym effortlessly scale the various routes made bouldering look very fun and easy, so I was very excited to give it a go! However, I was quickly humbled by even the easiest of routes and ended up feeling winded after a few minutes of climbing.”

“Yet, there was a lot of fun to be had by watching my friends attempt to scale and fall along the different routes, and even more inspiring to see their gradual progress leading to eventual completion of the route. The spirit of competition was surely in the air, as we all were egged on by the successes of our friends to try out the routes they had just completed, temporarily forgetting all the fatigue that had been accumulated so far.”

“By the end of the night, our limbs and joints had become tender and bruised, but we were still reliving the highs of surmounting the different routes, getting over our personal fears and achieving our personal goals. Our bodies may have been broken, but our spirits were surely still going strong!” – Mitchel Tay

Thank you to our 16MC Holistic Development portfolio for organising this event!

Exam Welfare Initiative 1

Non-stop welfare?

As the end of the semester approaches, our scholars look forward to a special event that goes beyond grades and exams — our club’s Biannual Exam Welfare Initiative is back!! 

Organised by 16MC BizMag Portfolio, the packs were a result of careful planning and consideration of our scholar’s needs. This year our scholars received a bountiful welfare pack, filled to the brim with sweet treats and savoury delights, as well as stationery to prepare them for their upcoming final examinations.  

With special thanks to our sponsors,  

Oatbedient for providing us with their delicious and nutritious Ready-To-Drink Oat M!lk Barista Packs!! 

and Foodieland for supplying us with their yummy DIY Taiwan Bubble Tea from GoJESS and delightful Fortune Cookies from Garden!! 

Hope everyone enjoyed your welfare packs!! Wishing you all the very best for your exams!! See you next semester 🙂 

 – 16MC BM Portfolio 

About our sponsors  

Oatbedient 

Oatbedient is a home-grown Singapore brand that offers yummy, nutritious and convenient oat milk beverages!! With products such as the Ready-To-Drink Oat M!lk Barista and Powdered Oat Milk Beverages in convenient sachets, all of which are made with simple, quality ingredients that’s not only good for you but also friendly to our environment. Oatbedient puts clean-labelling at their forefront, so you can be assured that there are no nasty, unnecessary ingredients in their oat milk beverages. The entire range of their products are plant-based, dairy-free, lactose-free, cholesterol-free, vegan-friendly, halal-certified, Healthier Choice certified, NutriGrade Grading B… so why not give it a try and taste it yourself!! 

Don’t forget to follow @oatbedient on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook!! NEW PRODUCTS LAUNCHED!

Check out their website (www.oatbedient.com) for the full range of products and ongoing promos.

Oatbedient products are available for sale at:

– Official Online Store: www.oatbedient.com

– eCommerce: Shopee, Lazada, Redmart, Qoo10

– Social Media: Tiktok Shop, IG Shop, FB shop

– Retail (Powdered Range): Selected Cold Storage, Fairprice, Sheng Shiong, & more.

– Retail (Ready-To-Drink 250ml): Selected 7-11

Foodieland 

Foodieland is a specialty food and beverage importer and distributor, with a wide range of products such as Fortune Cookies and Spring Onion Crackers from Garden, Japanese drinks such as DyDo Blend Coffee and Hanocha Green Tea from DyDo and many more! They’ve also recently expanded their range of products to include DIY Taiwan Bubble Tea from GoJESS. They won Best Gourmet Snack Food eCommerce Business in 2021 and Best Novelty Fortune Cookies Supplier – Singapore in 2020, so look no further for your snacks and drinks!  

Follow them @FoodielandSG on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!! 

Products are available for sale at foodieland.sg, Shopee and Lazada 

Hallow’23

Halloween in November?

Hallow ‘23 is the first event of the 16MC’s tenure, and with it, the first Social and Welfare initiative. Inspired by the season, we felt that bringing back a Halloween-themed event would be a thematic way for scholars to decompress and have fun before the intensity of exam season hits. Having people come down dressed up in costumes and painting pumpkins, gives everyone the chance to let loose and get creative.

The scholars that came down got to enjoy pizza, snacks, and drinks with their friends, all while enjoying good music and games. Our 16MC PnP faithfully took photos throughout the night, and many scholars headed to our photo booth for polaroids to remember the night.

Ultimately, it’s the scholars themselves who truly made the experience — we just provided the venue and refreshments! That said, the smiles and laughs that fill our photo dump encourage us to keep up the good work (and to order more food next time :D).

Here’s what one of our scholars had to say about Hallow’23!
“The event was an excellent platform for fostering closer relationships with my fellow batchmates. Not only were we able to enjoy good food, we were also able to play a lot of games! I also really liked that many of us came donned in costumes. I had a good laugh seeing the hilarious costumes that my friends were wearing. Overall, it was a great chance for me to destress and I really had a great time at the event! 10/10 experience!! :)” – Teresa

All the best for finals, and see you next event! – 16MC SnW