WHENEVER I am faced with a challenge. questions appear in my mind: How do I solve this? How does this machine work? What else can I do with it?

Like a seed flourishing into a beautiful tree, my curiosity has blossomed into a burning passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

No matter how difficult it is, I always try to figure out how things work before I seek assistance.

I even bought a toy microscope and placed anything I could get my hands on under its lens. Once, I placed an ant, and although it didn’t work like a real microscope, I still got to look at it up close.

That continuous curiosity has pushed me to participate in competitions to develop my perspective and understanding.

One of these was a bridge-building competition at school, which I joined with two of my friends, and we subsequently won third place for the strongest bridge.

This unlocked an understanding within me about how the structure of a bridge can affect its strength and ability to withstand challenges.

Whether I win or lose in a competition, I always have fun with my teammates and maintain a positive attitude. In the process, I learn from my mistakes, correct them and do better next time.

From a young age, I have been a visual learner and have always preferred hands-on experiences. Imagining and visualising concepts suit my learning style better.

For example, when we used machines or models in school, like the ripple tank for Physics, various thoughts sparked within me as I wondered how we could better experience the water wave phenomenon.

Another way I like to learn is by explaining concepts to my friends. I always put in 100% effort when I take part in presentations. This helps me gain a deeper understanding of the topic, and I have a lot of fun explaining, especially when using a whiteboard marker.

The stories behind innovations by talented individuals have made me realise that nothing is impossible if one has the will to try and achieve it.

These individuals are heroes, possessing imagination and ideas for the betterment of our world.

Without innovation, we would still be living in the dark ages – no computers, no social media, no machines – nothing but manual work.

Understanding past STEM creations is important because the future depends greatly on it.

My curiosity and enthusiasm for pursuing STEM continue to expand with the hope of contributing to the world’s economic growth and the betterment of society.

From young, I have been building and designing houses using building blocks.

The ability to create infrastructure with a unique design that also has a positive impact on the environment is what I strive for. Buildings that stand out based on those two aspects have always captured my attention.

Young minds can be nurtured when they are encouraged to take part in STEM activities.

I strongly encourage students to pursue STEM. Don’t fear it – use it as a way to look at the world with a creative perspective.

Consider taking part in STEM competitions and projects. You might just find yourself liking the field and one day even turning it into a passion.

Curiosity has helped me develop a passion for STEM, and I hope to gain more opportunities to immerse myself in it so that one day I can contribute to the world just like other talented engineers and scientists around the globe.

Jeanne, 16, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.