Physics Engagement Camp, 2 – 4 June 2026
‘Don’t kiap* your fingers! 😅’—that’s the advice given to secondary school students participating in the physics festival held recently at NUS Physics. Students were experimenting with controlling claw grip strength via the application of pressure, a lesson on the power of hydraulics. Such fun activities like exploring the Marangoni effect, visualising sounds and building a strong bridge using raw materials were part of the programme at Physics Engagement Camp (PEC) 2026 aimed at igniting the interest among young students in physics through a series of thoughtfully curated experiences.
Students were also introduced to the subjects of quantum cryptography and its potential applications, nanoscience and nanotechnology, the historical emergence of quantum mechanics and its enduring impact, string theory and its relation to cosmology and 21st century mathematics as well as the frontiers of nuclear energy and safety.
For more senior students from junior colleges and polytechnics, the research lab tours proved to be another eye-opening experience. Lab tours to the Centre for Quantum Technologies, the Centre for Ion Beam Applications, Nanomaterials Research Lab and Temasek Laboratories allowed students to gain exposure to cutting-edge research, connecting theoretical concepts with real-world applications. The visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative helped students understand the strategic role nuclear science and nuclear safety play in meeting the demand for energy both locally and regionally.
A panel discussion was also arranged where alumni were invited to share their valuable insights into the relevance of physics in different academic and career pathways. Dinner conversations with current physics undergraduates provided opportunities for peer learning and offered participants firsthand accounts of university life.
Students were all excited about the Kahoot games which awaited them at the end of the camp. Feedback from participants of PEC 2026 has been positive—the camp has exceeded students’ expectations by sparking their curiosity and interest in physics.
NUS Physics would like to thank all the student helpers, alumni, faculty, and support staff for their dedication and efforts in ensuring the success of the camp.
*According to the Chimbridge Singlish Dictionary, the Singlish word ‘kiap’ is a verb which means to hold by pinching or squeezing between two opposable elements, such as tongs, chopsticks, or fingers
Yes, I loved the camp! What was eye-opening for me was realising just how much physics offers beyond what is Iearnt in secondary school and JC1 right now. Before the camp, I had only watched a few videos and read a few articles on modern physics but didn't really know where to start to build the foundations. The lab tours and lectures, especially the quantum mechanics one, really helped me learn the foundations of modern physics, not just seeing/hearing bits and pieces of it on the Internet. Going to this camp made me realise how theoretically deep physics can go, and it just made me even more fascinated by physics because it's so different from what I've been learning in secondary school and JC1. I’m excited to learn more about modern physics in university! (Also the food was really good, and I loved the Kahoot game too!)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at NUS. The lectures were deeply engaging as they explored deeply into topics that were abstract and not taught within the A-level curriculum. Though the topics discussed seemed daunting initially, the professors presented them in a clear and accessible way by breaking down concepts into digestible bites that fostered my curiosity and understanding. Additionally, the lab tours around campus provided us with a rare glimpse into cutting-edge facilities and application of the concepts taught within the four walls of a classroom. I found the alumni sharing especially valuable as it gave us an insight into the future of physicists and, for me, only reinforced my aspirations to pursue physics in the future.
The camp was really insightful and it taught me a lot about how physics can be applied in the real world. When I thought about physics before, I always imagined it at a large scale, like bridges, buildings, and rockets, but the sharing made me realise how important physics was at the nanoscale. I was especially intrigued when they introduced atomic force microscopy. It was an eye-opener on how physics could be used to solve unique problems that were smaller than my eyes could see! All in all, the camp rejuvenated my interest in physics and taught me that there was a lot I still didn't know about the world around me. It was definitely a valuable experience.