The College of Science held its second annual Science Discovery Camp from 18 to 20 June. Specially designed to give students from Junior Colleges and Polytechnics a chance to experience a preview of life in the College and on NTU’s campus, participants could choose from 5 camps, each representing a discipline within the College: Environmental and Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics. Each camp was run by the College’s four Schools.
The 3-day 2-night camp included hands-on laboratory activities, lectures by faculty members, and fun programmes organised by the respective Schools’ student clubs. The student participants also got a chance to experience residential life in a couple of NTU’s halls.
Student participants in the Biology camp found out how AI is being used in biological and medical research fields, explored the world of cells via fluorescence microscopy in the lab, and learned about the advancements of Chinese Medicine through the use of machines and robots. They also visited the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE, pronounced “cell-see”), where they played a game of Lockdown! a card game developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to educate the public on the importance of public health measures and global cooperation in addressing pandemics.
Environment and Earth sciences participants learned from researchers and professors about their ecological and environmental fieldwork that frequently takes them to various places around the world. The participants carried out their own fieldwork when they were brought to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve to study the area’s mangroves, and they even managed to spot local wildlife like owls and monitor lizards.
Meanwhile, Chemistry participants had plenty of hands-on activities in the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology labs, including trying out thin-layer chromatography – a separation technique that analyses and purifies compounds in a mixture – and Fehling’s test – a chemical test used to estimate and detect the presence of reducing sugars. They also explored the nature of molecules through the lens of a high-speed camera and learned about the School’s latest research into tackling and upcycling plastic waste via light and chemicals.
Participants in the Mathematics camp explored concepts such as Parrondo’s Paradox – a scenario where combining two losing games results in a winning game – and uncovered the world of topology, the mathematical study of the possible shapes of space using ideas that include theoretical physics. They also learned how optimisation models can help in achieving success in different games and scenarios, including Sudoku and the Gale–Berlekamp switching game, a mathematical game involving players completing to try and keep lights switched on or off.
Finally, Physics participants attended lectures that delved into cosmology and black holes as well as quantum computing. They also learned about the research efforts and challenges in developing nuclear fusion and the possibilities of harnessing clean, limitless energy. Their hands-on activities included learning to build and fire their own bottle rockets, and how to work in a clean room.
A College-wide camp lunch was organised on the second day to give students from the various camps a chance to mingle over a meal. They got a chance to chat with the Dean of the College of Science, Professor Simon Redfern, and many other faculty members.
Besides the daytime lectures, laboratory work and hands-on programmes, the student participants got to enjoy nighttime activities organised and led by the student clubs of the respective Schools. These activities included stargazing, card games, and night walks to catch glimpses of the campus’ nocturnal floral and fauna.
The College looks forward to hosting its third Science Discovery Camp in June 2026. If you are interested in participating, keep an eye out for the announcement on our College website and for the invitation email.