- Diocesan Boys’ School STEPS Editorial Board – Editor-in-Chief (23-24)
- The “Safe Cracking” International Physics Tournament – 1st Runner Up Overall; 2nd Runner Up – Judges’ Favourite safe; 2nd Runner Up – Peers’ Favourite Safe (2024)
- 37th International Young Physicists’ Tournament – Hong Kong Team Representative (2024)
- 3rd International Economics Olympiad x WinterChallenge – Gold Medallist (2023)
- 12th World Choir Games – Champion (2023)
Why doesn’t the moon fall?
As a child I’ve always been fascinated by the invisible forces that shape our world. But when I first encountered the equations behind those forces, I quickly realised I was no maths prodigy. It was humbling — I questioned whether my slow progress meant I didn’t belong in physics. Could passion and effort really be enough? Over time, I came to see that my strength wasn’t in racing through calculations, but in asking the right questions and exploring the underlying principles. I discovered physics wasn’t only about speed or precision; it was about curiosity, creativity, and understanding the bigger picture.
Instead of forcing myself down a path where I felt inadequate, I shifted my focus to qualitative problem solving. In the “Safe Cracking” IPT, I recruited team members who, like me, didn’t fit the traditional mould of physics prodigies. Together, we leveraged our creativity and knowledge of physics phenomena to build a “physics safe”. Our hard work paid off when we won the Hong Kong finals and represented Hong Kong to place second internationally. I realised then that I didn’t have to be perfect at maths to find my place in physics — I could use my creative approach in problem-solving to contribute in innovative ways.
I carried this lesson with me to the International Young Physicists’ Tournament, where I applied my knowledge in experimental physics. While preparing, I found out real-world physics problems don’t have neat answers. They evolve. Theories are challenged, debated, refined – just like how I had to evolve my own approach to learning physics.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me — it’s that physics is for everyone. Visiting schools and using platforms like STEAM fairs, alongside the physics safe we built, I’ve actively shared interesting physics phenomena that anyone, regardless of their background, can appreciate. I hope to break down the notion that physics is only for those who excel in maths. You don’t need to be a prodigy to enjoy physics; all you need is the passion to explore.
In fact, this mindset isn’t limited to physics. Whether it’s teaching beatboxing to visually impaired children, leading the Editorial Board for our school’s annual magazine, or being the point guard of our schools’ water polo team, I’ve learned that being “Outstanding” doesn’t necessarily mean excelling at everything. It’s about utilising your strengths, your passions, to lift others along the way.