STEM Enthusiast | Musician | Problem Solver
I'm Jan Niezgoda, a 12-year-old student passionate about understanding how things work. Whether it's building electronic circuits, programming microcontrollers, or performing music, I love hands-on learning and creative problem-solving.
Currently studying at one of the UK's independent schools, I'm applying for the prestigious King's Ely Scholarship, which recognizes academic excellence and potential across multiple disciplines.
Music has been a significant part of my life, with training across multiple instruments and vocal performance. I particularly enjoy the technical aspects of music—understanding how instruments produce sound and how different notes combine to create harmony.
Developing technical proficiency and musical expression through diverse repertoire
Mastering brass technique and ensemble playing, preparing for Grade 5 examination this term
Vocal training focusing on technique, interpretation, and performance skills, working towards Grade 8 by June 2026
Beyond the classroom, I've pursued opportunities to challenge myself academically:
In June 2024, I was awarded the "Runner-up" prize at the Oxford German Olympiad, held at Oxford University. With a record number of entries received this year, this achievement reflects dedication to language learning and cultural understanding.
The competition tested creative use of German language, cultural knowledge, and original thinking—skills that complement my technical interests in STEM.
I'm fascinated by practical applications of science and engineering. My projects focus on real-world problem-solving using accessible technology:
I'm drawn to King's Ely because it offers:
When I'm not building circuits or practicing instruments, I enjoy:
This portfolio represents just the beginning of my learning journey. Each project teaches me new skills, reveals new questions to explore, and inspires future ideas. I'm excited to continue growing as both a musician and a problem-solver, combining creativity with technical knowledge to tackle meaningful challenges.
In addition to my STEM and music projects, I also designed and built this portfolio website myself. I wrote all the code by hand using HTML and CSS, then hosted the site as a static website on Amazon Web Services (AWS). I used:
Want to see how I did it? How I Built My Portfolio Website