Singapore teens create science research program to encourage girls into STEM

The INTEGIRLS Singapore Science Research Program, held from early July to early September, brought together students from 13 international and Ministry of Education schools, The Straits Times reported.

The program was organized by Amber Anbei Chi, 16, Jenny Jeong, 17, Lauren Pak, 16, Nayoon Kim, 16, and Stephanie Jeslyn Goutama, 17. Chi and Jeong attend Singapore American School, Pak and Kim study at United World College Dover Campus, and Goutama attends Raffles Institution.

The five are members of INTEGIRLS Singapore, established in 2022 as a local chapter of a U.S.-based organization that encourages girls to pursue STEM fields. The teenagers designed the program, recruited participants and mentors, sought sponsors and partners, organized research teams and arranged the final showcase.

Pak told The Straits Times that they recruited participants, mentors and sponsors and arranged the research teams and final showcase, sending more than 420 emails in the process. Participants worked with academics and industry experts on projects spanning nuclear fusion, wildlife biology and food science.

One team studied how magnetic field strength affects the electrical power output of a simulated tokamak, a doughnut-shaped chamber used to contain the extremely hot gas needed for nuclear fusion research. Another observed the routines of Singapore's smooth-coated otters, while other students studied whether antioxidants derived from food waste could affect repeatedly heated cooking oil.

The participants presented their findings at a research showcase on Sept. 5.

Members of INTEGIRLS Singapore (from left): Jenny Jeong, 17, Lauren Pak, 16, Amber Chi, 16, Nayoon Kim, 16,and Stephanie Goutama, 17. Photo courtesy of INTEGIRLS Singapore

Chi said her experiences in mathematics, robotics and science competitions helped inspire the initiative, as she often found herself among only a handful of girls taking part. Through INTEGIRLS, she hopes to make such opportunities more accessible, giving girls greater exposure to researchers and mentors while helping them explore their interests and strengths in STEM beyond the classroom.

Women made up 35% of Singapore's STEM workforce in 2024, up from 29% in 2014, then Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang said in February 2025.

A 2021 survey by United Women Singapore and research firm Ipsos also found a wide gender gap in interest in STEM careers. Among 600 students aged 16 to 25 at Singapore secondary and tertiary institutions, 41% of female respondents planned to pursue a STEM career, compared with 69% of males.

More than half of the girls surveyed had been interested in STEM when they were younger. Among those who later changed their minds about pursuing STEM in higher education, more than 60% did so between ages 14 and 16.

The survey also found that 41% of girls considered themselves at least somewhat aware of STEM-related careers, compared with 60% of boys.

Singapore has placed greater emphasis on STEM education as AI and other technologies reshape the skills needed in the workforce.

In July, Education Minister Desmond Lee identified STEM, AI and holistic student development as three priorities under the ASEAN Work Plan on Education for 2026-2030.

Singapore will also host the ASEAN Plus Three STEM Camp for Youth in May 2027, where students from across the region will work together and apply STEM knowledge to real-world problems.