National STEM Talent Search
The National STEM Talent Search (NSTS) is an annual competition by Science Centre Singapore with support from the Ministry of Education. Previously known as A*STAR Talent Search, the competition was inaugurated since 1995 and was based on a concept similar to the Regeneron Science Talent Search organised in USA.
NSTS is a prestigious annual competition that aims to motivate and accord national recognition to students who excel in science and technology. Through NSTS, Singapore students aged 15 to 21 years old are given a platform to showcase their projects and encouraged to further their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
There are four scientific categories for NSTS 2024
- Biomedical Science
- Computer Science & Mathematics
- Engineering
- Material Science
An invitation email and a Submission Requirement PDF would be sent to the eligible SSEF 2024 participants through their teacher coordinators.
National STEM Talent Search 2023 Winners
Award | Student Name | School |
First Prize | Li Xin Rui | Hwa Chong Institution |
Second Prize | Ivan Joel You Wen Jie | NUS High School of Math and Science |
Third Prize | Evan Lim Hong Jun | Raffles Institution |
Chief Judge Special Award & Commendation Award | Mirdhini Shri Rajaram | Raffles Institution |
Commendation Award | Lim Teck Kong | NUS High School of Math and Science |
Commendation Award | Liew Wei Pyn | NUS High School of Math and Science |
Commendation Award | Bai Ruotong | Hwa Chong Institution |
Commendation Award | Tan Yok Ray | Victoria Junior College |
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APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- All NSTS participants are required to have taken part in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF). Only Gold, Silver or Bronze award winners are eligible for NSTS. All candidates are required to showcase and articulate their SSEF research projects.
- Singaporean/PR Citizens
- A secondary school or pre-university student aged between 15 – 21 years old (as of 1 May 2024).
- Only one team member per SSEF 2024 project is allowed to participate
If you are keen to participate in the competition, do approach your SSEF Teacher Coordinator. An NSTS email invitation to participants who meet the requirements would be sent to your respective Teacher Coordinators.
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APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please refer to SSEF for more details on the application procedure.
Eligible candidates will be contacted via their school after SSEF. They will undergo a shortlisting interview with a panel of distinguished judges from various universities and research institutes. Selected finalists will then undergo a Final Judging Interview to select the winners.
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KEY DATES
*Event dates are subject to change
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JUDGING CRITERIA
Non- Technical Technical 80% 20% Creative Ability & Independent Thinking
Scientific Attitude & Motivation and Interests
Potential to Pursue R&D Career & Vision and Goals
Scientific Communication
Depth of Understanding of Project -
PRIZES
Student Category
Student Awards Award Prize First Place Cash Prize of S$5000
Trophy & CertificateSecond Place Cash Prize of S$3000
Trophy & CertificateThird Place Cash Prize of S$2000
Trophy & CertificateCommendation Cash Prize of S$1000
Certificate of Merit
*For those entered the Final Judging Round but were not awarded the positions First, Second or Third*Participants who participated in the Shortlisting Round but were not shortlisted to enter the Final Judging Round will receive an e-Certificate of Participation
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
By submitting your application/registration for participation in National STEM Talent Search (NSTS), you agree that:
a. Any and all personal data submitted by you in the course of your application/registration for and participation in NSTS may be collected, used and/or disclosed by the organisers for various purposes, including to communicate with you for purposes related to NSTS, and such other purposes the organisers may reasonably deem appropriate, or in relation to which you have otherwise provided your consent;
b. The organisers may collect, use, disclose and share with its joint organisers and/or service providers, your personal data, including photographs or audio-video or other recordings of you captured or obtained by or for NSTS ("Material"), for publicity and/or use in advertisements across all media, including, without limitation, in the organisers' publications, presentations, promotional materials on its websites, in its original or edited format, whether to promote NSTS or otherwise, and without further notification, remuneration or compensation to you.
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FAQs
Can I present my A1 SSEF Poster instead of PDF or Powerpoint Slides for NSTS 2024?
No. As the NSTS 2024 Judges may not have participated in SSEF, a PDF or Powerpoint submission would not allow us to share your submission for an early preview.
Would I be ably to participate in NSTS if I participated with a team for SSEF?Yes. However, only one member from each team is allowed to participate in NSTS.
Is it necessary to prepare a Quad Chart and/or Video?No. However, they would be helpful for your presentation as it may provide an alternative medium for clarification and understanding for the judges.
Can I bring a prototype to assist me in my presentation?Yes. However, please ensure that the items for your prototype would not be hazardous. Do approach our NSTS Secretariat to clarify.
What does "being subjected to a Preliminary Round before the Shortlisting Round" mean?A project may be subjected to a review by a team of experts relevant to the respective NSTS Category should there be an overwhelming submission to said category.
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NSTS AWARD WINNERS
National STEM Talent Search 2023 Winners
Award Student Name School First Prize Li Xin Rui Hwa Chong Institution Second Prize
Ivan Joel You Wen Jie NUS High School of Math and Science Third Prize Evan Lim Hong Jun Raffles Institution Chief Judge Special Award &
Commendation Award
Mirdhini Shri Rajaram Raffles Institution Commendation Award Lim Teck Kong NUS High School of Math and Science Commendation Award Liew Wei Pyn NUS High School of Math and Science Commendation Award Bai Ruotong
Hwa Chong Institution Commendation Award Tan Yok Ray Victoria Junior College -
ATS AWARD WINNERS
ATS 2020 Winners
Student Awards
Award Name First Place Qiu Xinzhi
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Second Place Jonathan Chew Jian Pin
River Valley High School
Third Place Tian Shuahao
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Ethan John Lim
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Thangaraja Keerthana
National Junior College
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Michelle Yaochai Yinfei
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation
(arranged alphabetically by school name)
Sarah Wong Ee Min
Raffles Girls' School
School Awards
Name School Points First Place NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
6 Second Place River Valley High School
3 Second Place Hwa Chong Institution
3 ATS 2019 Winners
Student Awards
Award Name First Place Tan Kin Hern
NUS High School of Mathematics and ScienceSecond Place Tan Yi Jie Valerie
Dunman High SchoolThird Place Sim Shang Hong
St Andrews Junior CollegeCommendation Yeow An Tze
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation Zhao Zhiya
Hwa Chong Institution
Commendation Seet Yong Sheng Clive
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Commendation Ang Soo Hui
Anglican High School
Commendation Tan Yee Lin
National Junior College
School Awards
Name School Points First Place NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
7 Second Place Dunman High School
3 Third Place St Andrews Junior College
2 Past Award Winners
Click here to view the ATS Award Winners for 2006-2018.
For more information or enquiries regarding NSTS, please email to the following:
Mr Wesley Lim | wesley_lim@science.edu.sg |
Mr Redza Adly | redza_adly_esmadi@science.edu.sg |