Raffles Institution's Learning Journey at NTU CCEB

On 4 July 2024, 19 Raffles Institution (RI) students along with 2 teachers visited the NTU School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology (CCEB) to learn more about current research into food sustainability. The visit, hosted by Assoc Prof Tan Meng How, was a memorable shared experience for the RI delegates to catch a glimpse of the insightful research work and cutting-edge environment that CCEB offers.

"It has not only been a learning journey to stretch the young minds on the frontiers of knowledge, but it has certainly been motivating for some of our students to start understanding and planning with sound ECG (Educational Career Guidance) advice from the experts on which subjects to read and study, should they wish to pursue such a course in NTU." Tan Guoxian (teacher-scientist, Raffles Institution)

Assoc Prof Tan Meng How sharing insights about ongoing research projects at CCEB .

Here's the reflection article from the students:

The main thing that we all took away from this very enlightening trip was a sense of inspiration. Our curiosity was piqued when we listened to an informative talk about the school and a sample of its research projects, which very much inspired us, knowing that there is a whole field dedicated to this part of research, combining Chemistry, Biology and Engineering together.

RI students were amazed by the presentation on black soldier fly.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn that there is actually ongoing research to help reduce food waste, just like what we are doing. We discovered this as we checked out the state-of-the-art equipment and wide range of facilities in the school. First, we engaged in a hands-on activity separating black soldier fly pupae based on their growth stage. The soldier flies, which are used for other research projects, have pupae that digest food waste. Then, we engaged in a very fun and exciting activity where we learnt about how alcohol is produced from the process of fermenting yeast. We even got to touch and sniff the malt that is used for beer brewing! Lastly, we visited one of the school’s biotechnology labs. Bacteria and microalgae cultures were in all sorts of tubes and machines in varying stages of experimentation. The entire experience made us realise how fun and interesting science could be. It motivated us to think of our future career prospects, especially in these scientific industries.

Engaging in interesting hands-on activity about soldier fly pupae.

Moreover, we gained a deeper appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of science. It was mentioned that the NTU CCEB was formed to bridge the fields of Biology and Chemistry, as well as the pure sciences and applied sciences like engineering. From our standpoint in secondary school, this seems unusual as we have Biology and Chemistry as separate subjects. Each subject has its own set of topics and experiments. As a result, we were in awe of the various amazing scientific and technological innovations that were showcased during our visit.

We are immensely grateful for the opportunity given by CCEB to visit their wonderful campus and learn more about the innovations in chemical engineering and biotechnology. Although we may only be in secondary school, we were empowered to embark on a lifelong journey in learning through scientific research.

Written by Chiam You Xuan, Dao Nam Khang, Le Tuong An, Manolo Javier Naz Flores, and Nguyen Kim Khai Hoan (Adrien) | Raffles Institution