At Expand Space 2024, Space Faculty and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Engineering (NP SoE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), witnessed by Minister Tan See Leng (Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry). This agreement cements our commitment to advancing robotics and STEM education in Singapore.

Building on the success of hosting Singapore’s World Robot Olympiad (WRO) National Finals at NP in September 2024, NP SoE will continue to support Space Faculty in organising next year’s National Finals. This collaboration enhances opportunities for young innovators to develop technical skills and gain hands-on experience in robotics and engineering.

NP SoE will also play a key role in supporting the WRO International Finals 2025, organised by Space Faculty. Taking place in Singapore from 26–28 November 2025, this prestigious global event will welcome more than 3,000 young innovators from nearly 100 countries, showcasing the brightest minds in robotics and deep tech on an international stage.

This partnership fosters meaningful learning experiences, knowledge exchange, and skills development for students and staff alike. Together, Space Faculty and NP SoE are cultivating a vibrant innovation ecosystem, equipping the next generation of STEM leaders with the tools to thrive in an evolving technological landscape.

Space Faculty is excited to announce the launch of our STEM Foundation. This non-profit initiative is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young minds, particularly those from underserved communities, to pursue careers in STEM fields.

The STEM Foundation is committed to providing young learners with hands-on experiences in cutting-edge fields like coding, robotics, AI, and space technology. By connecting them with industry experts, we offer mentorship opportunities that provide valuable insights and guidance.

The announcement and launch of the STEM Foundation took place on 22nd November 2024 at Space Faculty’s Expand Space event and was officiated by the Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Tan See Leng.

The launch ceremony was covered by a wide range of television and radio outlets including Channel News Asia (CNA), Mediacorp’s Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Vasantham, Capital 958 Radio, 96.3 Hao FM.

Watch this video for the full report by CNA.

The entire Expand Space event was also covered by Tech Edition (Tech EDT).

Space Faculty had the privilege of hosting esteemed representatives from Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) at Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) this week, where an insightful exchange with the NTU School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE) took place. This brilliant exchange is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and building meaningful connections within space and deep tech.

During the visit, students from NTU EEE showcased their cutting-edge designs and prototypes, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in their engineering projects. Their boundary-pushing work reminded us of the importance of nurturing the next generation of tech pioneers.

A highlight of the day was the engagement with the NTU Satellite Research Centre (SaRC), where they shared their extensive knowledge in satellite technology and engineering. The tour of their impressive facilities reinforced the critical role that research institutions play in advancing the frontiers of STEM.

Space Faculty’s CEO, Lynette Tan, has been honoured with the prestigious Best Business Event Champion award by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Presented by Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, this accolade marks a significant milestone, coinciding with STB’s 60th anniversary, and celebrates Lynette’s exceptional leadership in the business events sector.

The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrate and recognise individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence.

In a move poised to accelerate advancements in space education, Space Faculty and CONTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement was inked by Space Faculty CEO Lynette Tan and CONTEC CEO Dr. Sunghee Lee during the International Space Summit (ISS) 2024 held in Seoul, Republic of Korea on June 11th.

This collaborative effort aims to inspire the next generation of space leaders and entrepreneurs in the future economy by fostering new opportunities for the advancement space education, including:

• Facilitation of knowledge and experience exchanges between Singaporean students and their Korean counterparts through collaborative programmes and activities by Space Faculty and/or CONTEC
• Support and promotion of Space Faculty’s established space education programmes such as the International Space Challenge and Expand Space, in the Republic of Korea, broadening their reach and impact
• Collaboration in hosting Space Faculty’s space education programmes at CONTEC’s Asia Space Park located on Jeju Island, South Korea. This unique environment will provide students with firsthand exposure to cutting-edge space technology and facilities.

With initiatives ranging from developing national-level STEM 2.0 learning roadmaps to working with governments to leverage space for the future economy, Space Faculty is committed to unlocking the full potential of the space industry through its global network of partners and looks forward to a fruitful partnership with CONTEC, an industry leader known for its comprehensive solutions and innovative technologies.

The MOU marks a significant development for both organisations, with Space Faculty gaining a valuable foothold in the South Korean space education landscape, and CONTEC securing the opportunity to contribute to the development of a global talent pool in the space sector.

For a deeper dive into the importance of programmes like the ISC and Expand Space, and their impact on shaping future space capabilities, read Lynette Tan’s full interview with the Seoul Economic Daily.

Space Faculty’s manager, Gillian Chin and ISC Distinction winner, Natalie Ching, had the honour of meeting President Tharman last week during his visit to NTU’s Satellite Research Centre (SaRC).

Gillian and Natalie shared with him how programmes like the International Space Challenge (ISC) cultivates an interest for space and STEM amongst youths and allow them to develop the relevant skills needed to pursue careers in the exciting field of space.

The ISC, now in its 17th year, is a homegrown initiative with students from over 40 countries participating annually. This year, we’re tackling the theme “Living in Space,” exploring the challenges and opportunities of human space exploration and its potential to improve life on Earth.

ISC17 offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with over 500 students from across the globe as they tackle these challenges head-on.

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.

Space Faculty is excited to share our recent collaboration with DSTA, NTU Satellite Research Centre (SaRC), and Kumi Analytics Pte Ltd for BrainHack 2024. Our unique SpaceCube programme within BrainHack offers students in Singapore a hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving world of digital technology and its applications in space exploration and climate action.

The programme kicked off this week with an engaging workshop introducing students to the power of advanced data analytics and space data for uncovering trends, detecting changes, and quantifying differences on Earth’s surface. With this foundation, they are more than prepared to start making a difference in climate action and sustainable development.

We are also honoured to have the support of Ambasciata d’Italia a Singapore e Brunei Darussalam (Embassy of Italy in Singapore and Brunei), allowing us to welcome astronaut and Italian Air Force pilot Brigadier Roberto Vittori to Singapore to inspire and motivate our SpaceCube participants. Brigadier Vittori, a renowned scientist who installed the MAS-02 cosmic ray detector during his space mission, will share his invaluable insights into dark matter and the universe’s origins in an exclusive talk happening on the BrainHack main stage.

Expand Space is a dynamic, future-forward deep-tech event organised by Space Faculty. It connects youths and young professionals to their purpose, passion and possibilities in Deep Tech.

Last held as a special feature at the WRO International Final 2025 in Singapore, the event showcased interactive exhibitions, industry panels, and hands on workshops exploring how robotics and AI can drive sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration.

Space for the Future Economy

STEM 2.0 Education Forum – launched in Feb 2023 by Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman – is a platform that brings together stakeholders across government, industry and education to chart the vision of STEM 2.0.

In light of the fast-paced growth of the space economy in the past five years, the sector is now the first stop for solutions and technologies to address global issues like climate control, sustainable food production, disaster management and relief, and management of Earth’s resources are increasingly found in space-based technologies.

STEM 2.0 is the next phase of development in STEM education to help students enter into high-value verticals like space, deep tech and advanced robotics and to build capacity for the industry.