Miss Khiu Yi Wen and Miss Lau Shi Yun, both graduates of the National University of Singapore’s Physics Department and currently Physics teachers at River Valley High School, were each awarded the Best Mentor Award at the 16th International Space Challenge (ISC).

Prior to her role as a mentor, Shi Yun had participated in the competition back in 2013 when it was formerly known as the Singapore Space Challenge. A decade later, she has come a full circle with her colleague Yi Wen to be mentors of the best and brightest STEM students in Singapore.

Read on to find out more about Yi Wen and Shi Yun.

Having participated in the then Singapore Space Challenge (SSC) many years ago, how has the competition evolved in terms of the challenges presented, student approaches, and overall experience for participants?
Shi Yun: My participation in the Singapore Space Challenge 2013 remains a cherished memory. Our project focused on preserving bone mineral density, prompting us to delve into independent online research beyond our classroom curriculum. Crafting a simulation and compiling a scientific report proved both challenging and rewarding. Today, the SSC has transformed into ISC, offering a dynamic learning platform accessible to all students. This evolution includes an innovative online portal with workshops and webinars led by global industry experts.

What sets ISC apart is its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. In addition to scientific exploration, students are encouraged to develop skills in business report writing, logistical planning, and financial management. This holistic approach equips individuals for success in our increasingly complex world, where interdisciplinary thinking and STEM expertise are essential.

What first sparked your interest in space? Did you have a personal “Eureka!” moment growing up?
Shi Yun: The concept of space always seemed distant and unattainable to me until my friends invited me to join them in participating in the Singapore Space Challenge. This experience was my first memorable encounter with the idea of space. It was then that I realized space is not just a fictional or idealized notion but something potentially accessible and relevant to everyone, regardless of where they are on Earth.

Subsequently, space-related movies such as Interstellar, The Martian, and Hidden Figures further piqued my interest in space. These films fascinated me and sparked a deeper curiosity about the vast universe beyond the confines of our planet.

As a mentor, what’s your favorite way to spark creativity and help students come up with innovative solutions for their projects?
Yi Wen: I encourage students to envision groundbreaking innovations, whether it’s a novel process or device. By reverse engineering, they analyze existing technologies to support their concepts, pinpointing gaps to assess feasibility. For those struggling with creativity, assembling current solutions serves as a foundation to engineer innovative approaches, fostering out-of-the-box thinking.

What do you hope students will take away from their experience participating in the ISC?
Shi Yun: Through this challenge, my aspiration is for students to stretch their imaginations beyond familiar boundaries, fostering open-mindedness and creativity in their approach to the task at hand. I encourage them to remain inquisitive about the world, both within their reach and beyond, recognizing that science and technology possess the remarkable ability to transcend all boundaries and unveil answers to the mysteries of the universe.

Do you ever find yourself wishing you could have participated in the ISC (or SSC) back in the day? If so, what aspect of the competition particularly piques your interest?
Yi Wen: I was not aware of the ISC competition in the past. However, having mentored the students, I can see the appeal and the learning opportunities that it brings with it. ISC offers abundant chances to glean insights from experts, with flexible learning via uploaded videos. It’s a platform brimming with opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and delve deeper into scientific realm.