How allergies sparked one teen’s passion for engineering
Allergies pushed TMJC student Sahana Ramprasad to innovate.
Allergies ignited Sahana Ramaprasad's enthusiasm for engineering. At 17, the Tampines Meridian Junior College student developed an air quality monitor to monitor dust particles after her O levels in December 2025. The microchip-connected sensor, which transmits data to an IoT platform, provides her with insights into air particle concentration and an estimated air quality index. Though the monitor can't eliminate her allergies, it does enable Sahana to take precautionary steps to manage her symptoms.
Her interest in science and hands-on approach secured Sahana a place among 200 recipients of the Ministry of Education’s Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship (ETPS) in July. The scholarship, awarded to pre-university students with a strong background in mathematics and science, provides a $1,000 annual allowance, school fees, a one-week workshop, and a work attachment or internship programme.
Sahana chose the ETPS program due to its partnerships with companies and workshops, which she wouldn't experience in a typical classroom setting.
Through the scholarship, Sahana can explore engineering design thinking and Python programming. While her air quality monitor doesn't eliminate her allergies, it provides a practical solution to reduce exposure and better manage symptoms.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
