In another exciting student feature, we have Justin, a bright-eyed boy passionate about Mathematics and Coding, who entered NUS High School of Math and Science. Let’s get to know our Gifted Coders graduate who started learning to code at the tender age of seven! 🤩

Justin smiling happily while on holiday

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Hi Justin! Congratulations on entering NUS High through DSA! How do you feel about this achievement?

I felt very happy (and relieved) as I have always wanted to get into NUS High. In fact, it was my dream school ever since my family drove past some years back and the word “Math” caught my attention. Later on, I chanced upon a YouTube video that featured Pi digits on the aluminium panels above the concourse. Being a Math enthusiast, I was very fascinated. I was over the moon when I finally received the Confirmed Offer letter!

“After I learnt how to code, I was able to understand how games are created. It is fun to know what goes on behind the scenes!”

Tell us how you first got started with coding. What do you like most about it?

Justin (far right) and his friends in the Gifted Coders class.

My parents thought that I would enjoy coding so they signed me up for Coding Lab’s Scratch holiday programme when I was seven years old. I enjoyed designing games using Scratch and playing other users’ games!

Later on, I was spotted by my tutors to be accelerated and was invited to join the Gifted Coders’ class where I learnt Python programming language. What I enjoyed most about Python is how I am able to create programs that can solve Mathematics problems.

"The current world is technology-driven, hence it will benefit us if we understand how to code in order to stay relevant. It also teaches us how to think logically."

Why do you think learning to code is so important?

An avid Math lover, Justin finds it gratifying to solve problems with code.

Coding is what we use to invent machines, robots and video games. Without coding, we will not be able to enjoy apps like Zoom, GrabFood, Deliveroo and Foodpanda. I mean, just imagine how these things have benefited us during the pandemic! 

The current world is technology-driven, hence it will benefit us if we understand how to code in order to stay relevant. It also teaches us how to think logically.

What are the difficulties you faced while learning to code and how did you overcome them?

When I first started Python, I found many errors in my code. I had to constantly seek help from my teacher and over time, I gradually understood the reason behind my errors and I learnt how to debug independently without her help.

"Debugging has helped me learn how to troubleshoot whenever I face a problem. Every time I manage to do it, it feels very shiok!"

What is your favourite project and why?

I enjoy how the aliquot sequence works, so my preferred type of code is one that calculates the aliquot sequence works of a number. My favourite project is the one I did for my Gifted Coders graduation, which can solve simultaneous and quadratic equations! Check it out below.

How has coding made a difference in your life?

In his free time, Justin enjoys listening to music, doing science kits, playing card or board games with his sisters, cycling with his family and playing with the Rubik's cube.

After I learnt how to code, I was able to understand how games are created. It is fun to know what goes on behind the scenes! With my Python knowledge and my passion for Math, I was even able to code a program that calculated the sum of factors for every number. I was also able to create Math problem-solving programs using Python and I found it to be truly rewarding indeed!

Do you have any advice for young people like you who are learning to code?

I would highly recommend young people to pick up Python, especially with Coding Lab's Python programme! The language is very relevant in today’s technology-driven world and with it, you're able to create solutions for real-world problems!

Thank you for sharing your coding journey with us, Justin! We are so happy and proud to see you grow from the bright 7-year-old Scratch student - that we invited to our Gifted Coders class - to a Python pro, and is now in our S200 Advanced Electives. We hope that Justin's story will be an inspiration, and we look forward to what he will achieve in the future! 😉

(Written by Zulaikha)