SINGAPORE - Fancy light bulbs that can be effortlessly changed because they can be held in place with magnets instead of having to twist them into their sockets?

This was the winning project by a team of Secondary 1 students from the School of Science and Technology for an annual science challenge.

Team Quadrifoglio's winning project on magnets that enables effortless light bulb-changing, with a working prototype to boot - was inspired by the the need to make changing light bulbs easier as Singapore's population ages.

The team was led by Cephas Koh, 12. The other team members include Enzo Tan, 13, as well as Isaiah Leong and Ang Wei Lun, both 12.

Through the project, Cephas said his team members got a better understanding of how science is applicable in their daily lives and the need to collaborate with team mates.

More than 200 students from the the school's Art, Design, Media and Technology discipline were tasked in the challenge to come up with projects to address future challenges such as urbanisation, smart mobility and energy sustainability, in line with the theme of "Liveable Cities".

Called the SST-3M InnoScience Challenge, it is organised by the school and diversified technology company 3M Singapore. It is designed to inspire and nurture the innovative spirit of the participants, encouraging them to take science beyond their curriculum and apply it to improve lives.

SST is an independent school that offers a four year O level programme with an integrated approach to applied learning.