Still thinking of Science Centre Singapore as that place you visited on a primary school excursion decades ago? So was I — until a recent visit proved just how much has changed. We arrived at 11am and completely lost track of time. The place was already buzzing with families streaming through the entrance, and it didn’t take long to realise why. Science Centre Singapore has packed in a lot more than I remembered from my school days and here are 7 reasons why you need to check it out again.
1. You Can Be Part of a Live Science Show
Do you know who first discovered electricity? If you confidently said Benjamin Franklin, you might want to reconsider again. The Energy Titans show at the Atrium isn’t your typical sit-and-watch affair. Adventurous audience members can volunteer to be part of the live demonstrations (safely, of course). It’s a crowd favourite. Catch it at noon daily, or 4pm on weekends and public holidays.
Pro tip: Arrive about 10 minutes early to snag a good viewing spot and if you or your child wants a chance to participate, standing near the front definitely helps catch the presenter’s eye.
2. They Have an Actual Fire Tornado
Every day at 2pm, head to the Courtyard and watch real flames spiral into a towering vortex right before your eyes. It’s not a video, it’s happening live, just metres away from you. It’s the kind of spectacle that makes everyone fall completely silent in awe. The presenter did a brilliant job explaining the science behind the phenomenon and weaving in questions that kept everyone engaged. Plus, it’s complimentary with your admission ticket, so there’s really no excuse to miss it.
3. This Savage Garden Has Nothing to Do With the ’90s Band
I was intrigued by the exhibition name, and surely the Venus flytraps had me hooked in a snap—pun absolutely intended. Savage Garden in Hall A is home to carnivorous plants doing what they do best: eating insects. It’s equal parts beautiful and brutal. The larger-than-life displays make for great photo ops, and interactive game stations let you try your hand at feeding the plants.
4. Play Detective and Solve a Scientific Mystery
Elemental Detectives: The Case of the Missing Metal is an interactive show where the audience are invited to help crack a case using real scientific methods. We were fully engrossed in the show and impressed that they were actually using real scientific tools to solve the case. Throughout the show, the actors guided the audience through various experiments, asking us to make observations and draw conclusions.
5. Face Your Fears (In a Geeky Way)
Phobia²: The Science of Fear in Hall B lets visitors explore why we’re scared of certain things like heights, public speaking, creepy crawlies, clowns through interactive, controlled experiences. This place certainly got our heart rates up! What I appreciated most was how the exhibition showcased fear as a biological response rather than something to be ashamed of. And if you are afraid of clowns, then you might want to skip this (Thank goodness, there isn’t any jump-scare involved!).
6. Science Exhibitions That Let You Play
Science Centre Singapore isn’t a ‘hands off’ kind of place. Almost every exhibit invites you to engage – press this, spin that, see what happens. It’s learning through play. We found ourselves just as absorbed as the visitors half our age, tinkering with things and going ‘oh, so THAT’S how it works!’ Deeply humbling, highly recommend. From Mechanics Alive! in Hall C to Quanta School on Level 2, it’s all about learning through doing.
7. Through the Looking Glass, Singapore Edition
Don’t underestimate Professor Crackitt’s Light Fantastic Mirror Maze in Hall A. What looks like a simple attraction quickly turns into a fully immersive experience. Mirrors stretch endlessly in every direction, multiplying your reflection into infinity while coloured lights shift and glow around you. It’s the kind of experience where you forget you’re in a science centre.
View this post on Instagram
