SOTY 22/23: Scientist/Mathematician second runner-up shoots for the stars
- Suen Ming-to from St Paul’s Co-educational College has loved astronomy and maths since primary school, saying it inspired her to study astrophysics
- Student also founded an NGO to provide STEM workshops for underprivileged children and help them with their homework
Suen Ming-to, a 17-year-old student from St. Paul’s Co-educational College, has been named second runner-up in the Scientist/Mathematician category at the Student of the Year Awards. Photo: HandoutSuen Ming-to, a 17-year-old St Paul’s Co-educational College student, has been captivated by astronomy and mathematics since primary school.
She recalled taking part in a programme that took her stargazing in Sai Kung, an experience that left a lasting impression.
“I distinctly remember seeing Mars through an 800x magnification telescope, and we could also observe the surface of the moon,” she recalled.
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One memorable part of the programme was “Journey to Mars”, which delved into the missions to Mars conducted by SpaceX and Nasa.
This early exposure to astronomy and space exploration fuelled Suen’s aspirations to delve deeper into the field of astrophysics in the future.
She soon began participating in gifted education programmes at the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) in primary school, exploring new ways to uncover her potential.
After being chosen through the Hong Kong Olympiads regional selection, she embarked on a year and a half of intensive training to prepare for one of the most prestigious student competitions, the International Junior Science Olympiad.
It was her first time in such a competition, and she won a gold medal, a key to unlocking her interest in physics.
“They challenged us to create a device with a cardboard box to block out light, using a laser to measure the reflective index of certain liquids.”
As a physics enthusiast, she had previously relied on YouTube videos for learning opportunities. With the support of HKAGE, she gained access to more international competition opportunities, further fuelling her passion for physics.
This year, Suen and her team took part in the “Safe Cracking” International Physics Tournament (IPT) in Israel. They developed a safe locking mechanism containing two physics puzzles based on the Thermoelectric Effect and Ideal Gas Law. Among participants from 46 countries, they achieved third place.
In addition, they conducted a study on the collapse of trees under different wind speeds using a mechanical model of trees and computational fluid dynamics. Their research has contributed to a deeper understanding of the relationship between urban planning and greenery, aiming to reduce the potential danger of tree collapse in the city.
These remarkable achievements helped her win second runner-up in the Scientist/Mathematician category in the Student of the Year Awards. The event was organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Beyond her passion for education, Suen actively engages in community service. She founded a non-profit organisation called Edify, which brings together around 80 volunteers to regularly provide STEM workshops for underprivileged children and help them with their homework.
With her sights set on a future in astrophysics research, Suen Ming-to is determined to make an impact in the field.