SINGAPORE — School’s out for the weekend but learning continues with the launch of the Kids Science Fest! and Festival of Biodiversity tomorrow.

Both events are part of this year’s Singapore Science Festival (SSF), which officially opens on July 19 and runs until Aug 4. Designed to help young children learn about science in a fun and engaging manner, the Kids Science Fest! has the theme Earth and Space Science.

It seeks to teach advanced scientific concepts in ways that are relevant and easy to grasp. For example, by attending a session on hot-air balloons and how to design them, participants can learn about buoyant force, pressure and the kinetic theory of heat, among others.

The Terra Nova science show — developed for the Kids Science Fest! — showcases Earth’s unique position in the universe, said the Science Centre Singapore and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), co-organisers of the SSF.

There will be seven activity booths to illustrate how Earth is unique. The Solar System Modelling booth teaches the different positions of planets relative to the sun, while the Shoot to the Stars booth will guide children in designing, building and launching a rocket.

The Spinning UFO booth provides children the opportunity to “release the reins of their imagination” as they build their UFOs, the organisers said.

“There is a large public interest in Earth and space science and astronomy. At the same time, the world is facing many environmental problems and problems with scarcity,” they added.

“We hope to inspire the children to see a larger solution that may be discovered by fully developing space technology and utilising the resources that are found in space.”

Last year’s event, with the theme of Energy, attracted about 3,000 visitors, and organisers are hoping for more this year.

Over at the Festival of Biodiversity, visitors can learn more about Singapore’s native snakes, including their habitats and prey, as well as the problems they face as demand rises in the illegal wildlife trade and what people can do to help.

Another highlight is the Our National Heritage exhibition, which offers visitors the chance to view specimens of animals not usually seen in our daily lives, such as the Malayan pangolin, bats, civets, freshwater crabs and knobbly sea stars.

The festival, which is in its second year, is an annual celebration of the community’s efforts to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage. It is jointly organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) and Biodiversity Roundtable of Singapore, a group of over 20 key representatives from the natural history community.

“The festival showcases the biodiversity that we have and biodiversity conservation initiatives,” said NParks. “The festival also showcases the efforts of the larger nature community to deepen Singaporeans’ appreciation of our rich flora and fauna and enthuse more to do their part to conserve their natural heritage.”

To get children interested in nature, there will be a range of nature-inspired workshops for children of various ages.

Volunteers from Raffles Girls’ School will be sharing about turtle conservation, followed by an art and craft session for children aged five to 12. For children seven and above, renowned local artist Tham Pui San will teach them to paint using acrylic paint and stencils.

Young children can also learn to make wildlife magnets, clay figurines and origami animals at the event’s workshops.

More information

The Kids Science Fest! is held at Science Centre, Marquee, until July 19. Tickets are free. Usual admission fee for Science Centre applies.

The Festival of Biodiversity is held at VivoCity, Central Court B, and runs until this Sunday. Admission is free.