SINGAPORE, 8 July 2015 – The Singapore Science Festival (SSF), Singapore’s largest annual science event, returns this month. Themed “Changemakers of Science”, SSF 2015 will bring families and youth face-to-face with Changemakers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community in a bid to inspire future generations to make a positive difference through science. The SSF is jointly organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore.
From 10 July to 2 August 2015, SSF 2015, in partnership with over 40 organisations, will present festival-goers with a line-up of more than 50 events and activities. These celebrate STEM and its achievements by bringing Science to life in interesting and fun ways, to inspire an interest in scientific discovery and innovation among people of all ages. (Please refer to annex for more details on Singapore Science Festival 2015 events).
Changemakers in Singapore Showcase their Work
The SSF 2015 is the perfect opportunity to discover the strides the local science community has made to impact lives. X-periment! will give visitors the chance to interact with Changemakers from research institutes, universities, polytechnics and partnering companies as they showcase their ground-breaking research. The 20 featured projects range from technological solutions designed to enhance the quality of life of dementia sufferers to the latest advances in immunology and the battle against cancer.
"At the Singapore Science Festival, our researchers demonstrate how science and technology enable novel solutions that both shape the future and contribute to Singapore’s development. We want to inspire future generations of Changemakers to join in this endeavour, to take up research seriously, to launch themselves into an innovation mindset, and to venture into enterprise and commercialisation,” said Professor Alfred Huan, concurrently Executive Director of the A*STAR Graduate Academy and A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing, and Co-Chairperson of the SSF 2015 Organising Committee.
First Full-Scale Maker Faire in South-East Asia at Singapore Science Festival 2015
To sow the seeds for more Changemakers, the spirit of Making – the desire to not just use products but to create solutions – must be encouraged. The Maker culture in Singapore has grown steadily over the years. These Makers, comprising inventors, creators, tinkerers and hobbyists, will be gathering at the nation’s first full-feature Maker Faire Singapore this year. A leap from the Singapore Mini Maker Faire of previous years, it is poised to be a spectacular gathering of Maker minds in a showcase of inventiveness, creativity and resourcefulness. During the event, the public will also be able to sign up for workshops and booth activities to experience the joys of being a maker.
The inaugural event will also see the launch of Busy Hands, Happy Hearts – a book featuring Maker families from all walks of life in Singapore. “It is important to germinate the spirit of Making, and allow it to grow into the desire to investigate, innovate and create solutions – the key qualities of a Changemaker. We are proud to be the first in South-east Asia to present the full Maker Faire Singapore – it bodes well for the continued growth and development of research and development here,” said Associate Professor (A/P) Lim Tit Meng, Co-Chairperson of the organising committee and Chief Executive, Science Centre Singapore.
Spectacular Performances by International Changemakers
Also here in Singapore to spice up the SSF 2015 are Changemakers from the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Science Bob and Professor Danielle George. Science Bob, America’s beloved Science teacher, author, maker and presenter, will be demonstrating popular experiments – Film Canister Rocket, Elephant’s Toothpaste, and Liquid Nitrogen Cloud – at the X-periment! carnival which feature the basic principles of science. Professor Danielle George from the University of Manchester will be presenting this year’s STAR Lecture. At her talk, “Sparks Will Fly: How to Hack Your Home”, more than 1,500 students aged 13 to 18 will get to witness how she adapts and transforms three great everyday inventions – the light bulb, the telephone and the motor – to do extraordinary things with them. The STAR lecture will also allow researchers from A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, and Nanyang Technological University to showcase their research on nanoimprinting, printed lighting and optics, in an entertaining and accessible manner.
More information about the SSF 2015 can be found on the Festival website and Facebook page (http://www.sciencefest.sg / https://www.facebook.com/singaporesciencefest).
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About Singapore Science Festival 2015
The Singapore Science Festival is an annual celebration of the latest scientific innovations, new technologies, and cutting-edge research, and engineering, making them relatable and relevant to everyday life. There will be a range of exciting hands-on activities, events, workshops, and guest performances lined up all over Singapore from 10 July to 2 August 2015.
The 2015 edition of the festival, themed “Changemakers of Science”, aims to recognise the Changemakers who have contributed to Singapore’s transformation over the last 50 years, and also to inspire future generations to become Changemakers through science.
The festival is jointly organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore. For more information, please visit us at http://www.sciencefest.sg or look us up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/singaporesciencefest
About the Organisers of the Singapore Science Festival
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.
As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About Science Centre Singapore
Science Centre Singapore is a non-formal educational institution and a leading regional Science Centre. A custodian of creativity and innovation, the Centre has captured the evolution of scientific developments through unique and relevant exhibitions and shows.
The Centre houses 14 exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 exhibits, and another 30,000 sq metres of outdoor exhibition space showcasing the Waterworks exhibition, Ecogarden and Kinetic Garden. Other Science Centre Singapore attractions include the Omni-Theatre, Snow City and KidsSTOP™.
The Centre and its partners have played a pivotal role in transforming the way students and the public interact with and learn about science & technology. Together with the Omni-Theatre and Snow City, it has engaged and enriched more than 29.5 million students and visitors since 1977.
The Science Centre, Omni-Theatre and Snow City received 1.30 million visitors for FY2014/2015. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg.
