This year's Singapore International Science Challenge, which started on Monday, will focus on green issues. A total of 110 students and educators from 27 institutions around the world, including Japan, United States and China, are attending the five-day event at National Junior College.

Participants will look at water issues and the world's ecological footprint among other things. Nobel laureate Professor Lee Yuan Tseh will also be speaking about building a sustainable city and how international cooperation can facilitate this.

The event will include a research poster challenge, a new fieldwork challenge where students will conduct hands-on research at Kallang River, and a design-and-build challenge.

SISC will allow young scientists to form international networks and identify potential partners to deal with global challenges like climate change, said Minister For Transport Lui Tuck Yew who launched the event. "We live in one of the most exciting times in human history where some of the best and most groundbreaking work in scientific research is being done," he said.