From 8 to 12 June, AETHER welcomed five students from Raffles Girls’ School (RGS) as part of the school’s Work Experience Programme (WEP). Over the course of the week, the students were immersed in a range of cutting-edge projects spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, radar sensing, physiological monitoring, and defence technology applications.
The attachment aimed to provide students with authentic exposure to how emerging technologies are researched, developed, and applied to solve real-world operational challenges. Working alongside AETHER engineers and researchers, the students gained hands-on experience in areas that extended well beyond the typical school curriculum.
One of the key projects involved exploring the use of millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar sensors for drone detection. Students investigated how radar systems can identify drones by analysing micro-Doppler signatures generated by spinning propellers. Through this project, they were introduced to concepts such as radio wave propagation, radar cross-sections, signal processing, and machine learning techniques used for classification and detection.
Throughout the week, the students displayed strong curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to tackle unfamiliar challenges. They actively sought feedback from their supervisors, conducted independent research to deepen their understanding, and collaborated effectively with one another to break down complex technical concepts.
The attachment left different impressions on each student, reflecting the diverse learning opportunities encountered throughout the week.
For Jia Xuan, the experience highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of real-world innovation. She found it “fascinating to observe how many practical projects require the integration of cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills”, while deepening her understanding of Python, machine learning, and full-stack development.
The programme also provided students with a greater appreciation of how technology supports operational capabilities.
Harini shared that it was a valuable opportunity to learn “how technology is utilised to create products for the Air Force”, particularly through projects involving drone detection and artificial intelligence.
For Jinwen, the attachment was as much about personal growth as it was about technical learning. The research and coding components challenged her to “go beyond what I believed I could do”, giving her greater confidence and a clearer picture of her future interests.
The experience also allowed students to see how classroom concepts are translated into practical applications.
Xintian appreciated gaining “a glimpse into how technology is brought out of textbooks and applied to solve real problems”, while exploring areas such as radar data analysis and machine learning.
Meanwhile, Kaelyn enjoyed working on authentic engineering challenges and learning new technologies. She found it particularly meaningful that the team was “helping solve real-world problems instead of hypothetical scenarios”, which further sparked her interest in drone technologies.
For AETHER, the Work Experience Programme serves as an important platform to inspire the next generation of innovators and technology leaders. Through meaningful hands-on projects and mentorship, students gain practical insights into industry applications while developing skills that will serve them in their future studies and careers.
By providing opportunities for students to engage with real-world technological challenges, AETHER hopes to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and researchers who will help shape the future of Singapore.