Education Department

RESEARCH SUMMER SCHOOL

An Intensive 4-Weeks Research Program

This program offers students from Grades 9–12 the freedom to conduct research across a wide range of subjects related to our research center, guided by our scientists with a 1:4 mentor-to-student ratio

What is Research and what is student will do in the Research Summer School

Research is like being a scientist on a mission to uncover the mysteries of the world around us! It’s all about asking big questions like, ‘How does this work?’ or ‘Why does this happen?’ and using experiments, observations, and data to find the answers. Whether you’re studying the environment, testing new technologies and engineer modern system, or exploring biology, scientific research helps you explore new ideas and test theories in a hands-on way. You’ll use tools like lab experiments, data analysis, and critical observation to discover things no one has figured out before, all while building skills that can lead to real-world breakthroughs!

At our Research Summer School, students in Grades 9-12 will engage in a variety of exciting activities that combine learning with hands-on research. You’ll have the opportunity to indulge your curiosity on real-world projects, from exploring scientific experiments and conducting literature reviews to analyzing data and solving complex problems. You can expect to dive into research fields such as artificial intelligence, chemistry, materials science, and environmental science, working closely with mentors and experts in the field. Along the way, you’ll develop critical skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll learn to present your findings in a final showcase, giving you the confidence to share your discoveries with others! Most importantly, this experience let you explore your passion early in your career and serves as a stepping stone as you prepare for university life and beyond.

RESEARCH PROCESS IN RESEARCH SUMMER SCHOOL

Ideation & Literature Review

Students will discuss with their respective mentors of their chosen topics, formulating deeper understanding and specified research by reviewing literature and articles online.

Research Design & Proposal

Students will make a research design and proposal based on their ideas and literature review for the specified topic, guided by their respective mentors.

Skill Training & Prototyping

Students will be trained by the respective mentors to start trialing and prototyping their proposed research design.

Testing & Analysis

Following the trials and prototypes, students will conduct their tests and final analysis, advised by their respective mentors.

Report Writing & Presentation

At the end of their research, students will make a report and present their research to the Director, all mentors, and other research students. Students will receive certificate of excellence.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Artificial Intelligence

Personal Agentic Assistant

You might have experimented with advanced chatbots like ChatGPT, but did you know you can build a similar AI system that learns from your own documents and adapts to your needs? Researchers—and even student innovators—are employing methods such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and vector databases to create these specialized, chat-based AI agents. By integrating personal data, these assistants can offer contextually relevant and highly tailored responses. Challenges still exist, including effectively handling diverse data sources, ensuring consistent output quality, and protecting user privacy. If these obstacles are addressed, we could see the rise of genuinely personalized AI companions that enhance learning, organization, and creative work. In this workshop, participants will dive into these cutting-edge techniques, apply them to their own materials, and gain practical, hands-on experience building an “agentic” AI helper.

Food Technology

Silk as an Edible Film and Indicator

Did you know that silk, the same material that makes up the fabric in your clothes, could help keep food fresh? Scientists are working on turning silk into a natural, edible film that can replace plastic packaging, making it better for the planet. But that’s not all—silk can also be combined with color changing indicators which could help us keep track of food freshness! Imagine being able to tell if your food is safe to eat just by looking at its packaging. This new idea could change the way we think about food and packaging in the future!

Material Science

Kombucha as Bio-Leather

You might love drinking kombucha, but did you know it could also be used to make something completely unexpected—leather? Researchers have found that the bacteria and yeast in kombucha create a special material that can be turned into bio-leather. However, to make the bio-leather sustainable, researchers have more work to do, such as evaluating and improving the production efficiency, improving the longevity of such leather, and to consider the management of their by-products. If we make such bio-leather sustainable, one exciting impact will be in fashion like jackets, bags, and shoes. Imagine wearing or using items made from something that’s both good for the environment and made from your favorite fermented drink!

Marine Technology

Underwater ROV

ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) are underwater robots that explore shipwrecks, coral reefs, and deep-sea habitats—places too dangerous or deep for humans. They’re controlled through a long cable, since Wi-Fi and radio signals don’t work well underwater. But that cable adds weight, can get tangled, and limits how far the ROV can go.

There’s still room for improvement. Engineers are working on making ROVs smaller, more energy-efficient, and better at withstanding deep-sea pressure. They’re also exploring sustainable materials and upgrading cameras and sensors to gather more useful data.

Going wireless would be a game-changer—but it’s a big challenge. Sound communication underwater is slow, and wireless power is still in early stages. Still, if we solve these problems, ROVs could help clean up ocean pollution or even build structures underwater.

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Biochemistry

Plant Based Protein Extraction and Analysis

Are you curious about where plant-based protein comes from and how it’s made? In the world of biochemistry, scientists are exploring new ways to extract protein from plants like beans, peas, and quinoa to create healthier, sustainable food options. As you may know, there’s been a growing demand for protein around the world, and problems like antibiotic resistance in traditional animal protein are becoming a big deal, causing long-term issues in our food choices. By figuring out how to get the most protein from these plants and understanding how they work, researchers are helping build better, plant-powered foods. This is not only important for helping our planet but also for making sure everyone has access to nutritious food, no matter their lifestyle or dietary choices.