Nexus Learners Shine at Science Castle Singapore 2025
Fourteen of our Nexus learners demonstrated outstanding scientific curiosity and innovation at Science Castle Singapore 2025, one of Asia’s most prestigious platforms for young researchers. Held at the Singapore Science Centre, this annual conference gathers secondary and pre-university students from across the region to tackle real-world scientific challenges through original research.
Teams from Years 9, 10, and 12 submitted their abstracts and findings in February 2025, following weeks of rigorous literature reviews, data collection and analysis. Out of more than 100 entries, three of our teams were shortlisted for the poster presentation category.
Even more impressively, our Year 10 team was one of just 10 finalists selected to compete in the elite Oral Presentation round, where they presented and defended their research before over 200 attendees and a panel of seven expert judges, all in contention for the Grand Champion title.
Highlights from Our Teams
Novel Deep-learning Model for Dosage Prediction in IMRT Cancer Treatment
Led by Learner Dev Jay – Year 12
Awarded GOLD in the Poster Presentation category
The team are currently in talks with the judge about conducting clinical trials using real data at his company in Singapore
Dev and his team chose to tackle one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: delays in cancer treatment. Motivated by a deep interest in machine learning and a desire to apply AI for social good, the team explored areas where artificial intelligence could make the biggest impact. They discovered that the dose planning process in radiation therapy is both time-consuming and labour-intensive, often leading to delays in treatment. Their research aimed to automate and optimise this process, ultimately reducing waiting times and improving patient outcomes.
One of the most rewarding moments came during the event, when the team received in-depth feedback from a practising oncologist and startup founder who served as a judge. He was not only impressed by their work but spent nearly an hour with the team discussing the project’s potential. Reflecting on this experience, Dev shared: “The conversation with our judge was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience… I was given a golden opportunity to discuss and debate such a passionate interest with a subject-matter expert… His genuine appreciation for our model validated the hard work that we’d put into its ideation and development.”
This conversation has since sparked ongoing dialogue about future clinical trials, and the team is now working towards publishing their findings in a scientific journal—taking real steps toward bringing their innovation into the real world.
Magnetically Treated Soil and CO2 Emissions
Kiran, Katy, Shivany – Year 9
Winner of the Vidacity Sustainability Poster Award, which includes an eco-study tour
Secured a future research collaboration with an established laboratory in Singapore
The team of Year 9 learners explored the connection between magnetic fields and agriculture in their research on CO2 emissions from soil. Initially unaware that magnetism could influence plant growth, the team discovered how significant agriculture’s role is in contributing to greenhouse gases through their investigation. Their project stood out for its sustainability focus and earned them the Vidacity Sustainability Poster Award, which included an eco-study tour and a future research collaboration with a local lab.
Shivany commented “Securing the sustainability award and having the chance to visit the Vidacity building changed the way we viewed our possibilities as learners and researchers. It really showed that we could help the world through our research.”
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Balloons
Tai, Maya, Kaedan, Ben – Year 12
Engaged in discussions with a local research institute for future collaboration
Currently competing in an international research grant competition in the hopes of furthering their research
Balloons are a staple of celebrations worldwide—but their environmental impact is often overlooked. This team set out to explore a more sustainable alternative, inspired by growing concerns about balloon pollution and its effects on wildlife. Originally created for another competition, their idea found new life through the Science Castle Singapore platform. There, they explored the concept more scientifically and investigated more materials and researched ways to improve them.
“Balloons are one of the most popular leisure products in the world, and many would say a party is incomplete without them. However, we’ve always wondered where balloons go when they are released,” they explained. “Science Castle Singapore helped us connect with like-minded peers and companies that shared a common vision for a sustainable future.”
Accelerating Hydroponic Plant Growth Using Magnets
Freddie, Arabella, Krishna, Sien, Gerrick, Max – Year 10
Represented Nexus in the elite Oral Presentation round, presenting to over 300 attendees and four expert judges
Currently competing in an international research grant competition in the hopes of furthering their research
With land scarcity and food security becoming a growing concern in countries like Singapore, this Year 10 team investigated an innovative solution: using magnetic fields to enhance crop yields in hydroponic systems. Their research focused on cherry tomato and lettuce plants, using Alnico magnets to test whether proximity to magnetic fields could accelerate plant growth. Their findings revealed that plants closest to the magnetic poles saw significantly higher growth rates, indicating promising potential for magnetic-enhanced hydroponic farming.
Even more impressively, the team was one of just 10 finalists selected to compete in the elite Oral Presentation round. They presented and defended their project before an audience of over 300 attendees and a panel of seven expert judges.
Presenting on stage was both challenging and unforgettable. The team reflected on their experience, “At first, presenting at an event of this standard was nerve-racking for us all. However, as we had spent many hours beforehand preparing our presentation, we all enjoyed sharing our research with the audience and judges when we went on stage.”
Learners and Leaders: The People Behind the Projects
Congratulations to our young scientists who represented Nexus with purpose, perseverance, and professionalism. Inspired by their earlier participation in Science Castle Asia 2024, many have since stepped into leadership roles—mentoring peers, refining ideas, and driving projects towards deeper, more meaningful outcomes. This spirit of peer-led growth has become a powerful catalyst for innovation and confidence, echoing the Science Castle motto: Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness.
These accomplishments have been enriched by the support of an exceptional group of educators who have helped lay the foundation for a thriving research culture at Nexus.
We are especially grateful to Dr Gary Lee, who introduced the Science Castle platform to our school and played a pivotal role as advisor to the 2025 Gold Award-winning team. As the driving force behind the Nexus Science Research Hub, Dr Gary’s leadership and vision have empowered learners to think critically, explore boldly, and present their work on an international stage.
As Dr Gary shared: “I am really proud of their achievements at the Science Castle Singapore 2025.” He also reflected on the growth of the learners who had participated previously, noting that “These juniors, in turn, took on leadership roles, each guiding a new team or members to refine their projects and address existing gaps in preparation for further feedback.”
We would also like to thank Dr Fabio Di Salvo and Mr Jozef Bendik for their consistent encouragement and mentorship, as well as Ms Sabrina Au, whose hands-on support in the lab helped learners bring their ideas to life.
Science Castle Singapore 2025 offered our learners a unique and rewarding opportunity to present their findings to regional experts, researchers, and fellow young scientists. Their participation and success reflect not only the calibre of their research, but also their ability to communicate, defend, and inspire through science.
At Nexus, we are committed to helping our learners grow into impactful changemakers. This experience has not only celebrated their achievements—it has opened doors to international collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and future innovations.
We are incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished, and we can’t wait to see what they discover next.
The spirit of scientific inquiry continues to thrive at Nexus, and we look forward to growing even more opportunities for our learners to innovate, collaborate, and lead in the years ahead.
