The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an annual international competition open to young people from all around the world. This international competition is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute, in conjunction with the World Water Week in Stockholm. All the participants are winners of their national Junior Water Prize Competitions. All finalists will receive their Finalist Diplomas from the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. They are also invited to the Royal Banquet with His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, for the Stockholm Water Prize Award Ceremony.

This year, Low Jia Zhen (5C42) and Tan Hui Ling Jane (5C43) from Dunman High School, together with another student from NUS High School, won the Singapore Junior Water Prize competition. They represented Singapore in the international finals in Stockholm, Sweden.

This year long research journey has really been a wonderful learning experience. I really enjoyed doing our research in the laboratories in school and in NIE. Not only that, the Singapore Junior Water Prize and Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden had really been an eye-opener for me. In Sweden, I had a chance to interact with people who come from diverse backgrounds, and got to know more about their culture and lifestyles. I also met many brilliant young scientists from all over the world, and their excellence in science has served as a motivation and an inspiration for me to achieve greater heights. -Jia Zhen

Looking back at the experiences I have gained from this research project, I realized that it has allowed me to learn much, on top and above of mere classroom knowledge. Through this project, I have gained the chance to engage in higher level laboratory work as well as national and international competitions. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize has also allowed us to work closely with the NUS High student to increase teamwork and cohesion, portraying the team Singapore spirit overseas. The one week stay in Sweden has also broadened my visions and aspirations while increasing my cultural awareness. –Jane

Jia Zhen and Jane would like to express their sincere gratitude to Associate Professor Tan Swee Ngin, Assistant Professor Jean Yong for their kind mentorship and guidance throughout this project. They would also like to thank Mr Nor Hafiz Hassan, Ms Ng Yan Fei, and Mr Toh Chong Kai from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University for the kind technical assistance.

They would also like to thank their teachers in Dunman High School, in particular their mentor Mrs Serene Chu and their Science Society Teacher OIC Mr Chia Guo Hao for the guidance and support. They would also like to thank the laboratory technicians who assisted with the experiments, as well as all who helped in one way or another. 

Without all their help, Jia Zhen and Jane would not have had a chance to represent Singapore in this competition, and thus experience this wonderful learning journey in Stockholm.