Be a rock star at Singapore Science Fest

SINGAPORE — A theatrical performance that takes a scientific approach in explaining human reproduction and a chemistry show that delineates the beauty of science: These are some of the programmes the public can look forward to at this year’s Singapore Science Festival (SSF).

Running from July 18 to Aug 3, the annual event organised by the Science Centre Singapore and A*STAR promises more entertainment and drama this year with its theme: You Can Be A Rock Star With Science.

Crowd favourites from previous years such as X-periment!, GeneFest and the Singapore Mini Maker Faire will also return for the event.

The X-periment! programme at Marina Square will feature the So You Think You Can Do Science segment, which combines energetic hip hop music and dancing with educational scientific experiments. The segment will also be shown at the Science Centre.

Visitors can also actively participate during programmes such as GeneFest and Science Ahoy!, where they can conduct experiments in the fields of food science, geology, physics or biology.

The festival is targeted at families and students of all ages, and some workshops are free for members of the public.

“I think it is easier (for the visitors) to understand, as we try to go into areas that appeal to the crowd, such as dancing,” said Professor Lim Tit Meng, chief executive of Science Centre Singapore. “We want them to be inspired and realise that science is intrinsically beautiful. We want to pique their curiosity.”

Science is more than just about memorisation, he said. Some people who memorise without understanding may experience “mental death because there’s no life in learning”.

But the organisers want to do more than teach science; they want festival-goers to be thrilled by the work scientists do as well.

Said Professor Alfred Huan, executive director of the A*STAR Graduate Academy: “We want the public to enjoy interacting with the researchers and to appreciate the significance of the work they do, so more will see that science is the way to the future.”

Lauding scientists and engineers for constantly stimulating the wow factor with science, Prof Lim said he hopes visitors will see science differently and realise that they are actually rock stars. “This year’s SSF revamps the way we look at scientists today — whether they are celebrities, citizen scientists, budding scientists or established ones — and reinforces the fact that science is fun and fulfilling.”

Members of the public can find out more about the Singapore Science Festival 2014, including the full programme at http://sciencefest.sg.

NG YOU QIAN