By Estelle Low

Thirteen-year-old Dennis Lee learnt how to make water 'jump' yesterday.

He was in a lab where a physics instructor showed him how, by rubbing against the sides of a brass bowl filled with water, he can make the water 'jump'.

Dennis, a Secondary 1 student from Assumption English School, is one of 83 students on a scientific research programme called In-Cube.

It is a tie-up between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC).

Targeted at Primary 6 to Secondary 2 students from low-income families, it aims to help them develop their interest and potential for scientific research.

The first of three stages saw them attending a workshop at the Faculty of Science premises in NUS on Friday and yesterday.

Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, executive director of CDAC and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said the programme will allow these students to participate in enrichment programmes without being affected by financial constraints, especially in the downturn.

At the official launch of the programme at the NUS Faculty of Science yesterday, guest of honour Rear Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, said it will enable them to 'learn about science in a different way than their tuition classes. I hope the students will take full advantage of this'.

Secondary 1 student Joey Tay certainly did - she recorded all the experiments with her mobile phone.

'They are very amazing. I want to record them so I can take them home to show to my parents and siblings,' she said.

The programme is expected to benefit at least 1,000 students in the next four years.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.