The recent National STEM Racing competition brought an electric buzz to campus as teams from across Singapore unveiled their innovative designs and battled it out on the track. Among the standout performers was Tanglin’s own Nebula Team, who powered their way to an impressive 2nd place finish. Read their article below.

Participating in the STEM Racing National Finals this year has been a wonderful experience for our entire team. Although the competition is primarily centred around STEM fields such as engineering, coding, design, and scientific thinking, we quickly realised that the learning extended far beyond those subjects. The process challenged us in ways we did not expect, pushing us to grow not only as students but also as a team.

One of our highlights of the event was the chance to see the work of the other teams, walking through the competition venue and observing the varied car designs, engineering approaches, and pit displays. We found it interesting to find the similarities we shared with other teams—common design concepts, comparable testing methods, or similar aesthetic styles—while also noticing how each team introduced its own unique innovations. 

Our journey to the finals was not easy. Over the course of the year, we spent countless hours designing, testing, and refining our car. We wrote and edited portfolios, developed branding materials, and consistently looked for ways to improve our performance. This long-term process taught us invaluable lessons in time management: how to prioritise tasks, set realistic goals, and manage deadlines even during the busiest periods of the school year. Working together so closely also strengthened our teamwork. We learned to communicate more openly, trust one another’s strengths, and rely on each other when challenges arose.

The weeks leading up to the finals were particularly intense. Knowing how close we were, our team shifted into overdrive. Almost every day was spent finishing our car, troubleshooting last-minute issues, and polishing our pit display. There were moments of excitement, moments of frustration, and moments where we questioned whether everything would come together in time.

Taking part in the finals was a major milestone. It represented not only the end of months of hard work but also a celebration of everything we had learned along the way. One of the most impactful moments was listening to an inspiring talk by James Song, Vice President of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS). His insights into innovation, engineering, and the future of mobility encouraged us to think bigger and imagine how the skills we are developing now could shape our futures.

Immediately after the talk, we had one hour to assemble our pit display before the races began. The time pressure was intense, but it also brought out the best in us. We worked quickly, communicated clearly, and trusted each person to manage their responsibilities. Seeing our finished pit display standing proudly among those of other top teams was a moment of pride and accomplishment.

This year was especially successful for our team; we also achieved an outstanding result—placing second overall at the National Finals. This achievement means even more to us because it reflects the combined effort of every team member, every late-night revision, and every small improvement made along the way. Most exciting of all, our success allows us to advance to the 2026 World Finals.

By the Nebula Team