PUBLISHED August 31st, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED September 9th, 2021 11:37 am
Most of us remember the Science Centre Singapore fondly from school trips as a wonderland of mind-blowing illusions, hands-on thrills, and immersive 3D films. And with a recent slew of new attractions, we’d bet your next visit will bring you more than a dose of nostalgia.
Offering a rare chance to get up close with the Renaissance genius’ paintings and inventions, the limited-time Leonardo da Vinci exhibition tops our must-see list. Then, there’s a thought-provoking exhibition on energy, spotlighting Singapore’s progress in green energy. Dino buffs can’t miss Dinosaurs in Antarctica at the Omni-Theatre, which flings us back millions of years to roam dinosaur-rich forests. Here’s our rundown of what’s on, so grab your friends and family for a full day of fun.
Da Vinci, The Exhibition
Renaissance brilliance blazes into life at Da Vinci, The Exhibition. Curated by Argentina-based Aurea Exhibitions together with Fundación De Historia Natural, this touring exhibition is gracing our shores till January 2022, with Southeast Asia’s largest collection of da Vinci’s works.
There’s a reason why da Vinci’s name is a household one – the man was a true polymath, equally gifted in art as in engineering, anatomy, optics… the list goes on. This 10,000-square-feet exhibition captures the sheer breadth of his gifts to the world. Drawing on da Vinci’s Codices, Aurea Exhibitions reconstructed over 50 life-sized replicas of his inventions, including his human-powered helicopter. Thanks to their reproductions of iconic paintings, you won’t need to fly to Europe to see them either. With ten interactive themed zones, here’re the most spectacular highlights to catch:
Paintings and Sketches
Dive into the Anatomy zone to explore da Vinci’s groundbreaking studies of the human skeleton and muscles, including the first accurate depiction of the human spine. Next, hop over to the Paintings to learn about Renaissance painting techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato, and admire da Vinci’s masterful use of them in The Virgin of the Rocks and Lady with an Ermine. The final zone, Leonardo da Vinci’s Most Famous Works, stars breathtaking replicas of his celebrated Mona Lisa and The Last Supper – the latter is nearly the size of the original mural in Milan.
light and Flight
Da Vinci’s fascination with light shone in other aspects too – he was amongst the first to dream of using lenses and mirrors to see the stars. Study of Optics and Music showcases his dazzling innovations in light and reflections, including the light projector and room of mirrors. Aviation fans, meanwhile, can get their imaginations soaring in Study of Flight. This zone stars one of his most famous inventions: a flying machine complete with enormous pedal-powered silk wings.
Physics and Engineering
Geek out in the Study of Civil Engineering zone. Paralleling the human body’s mechanics to a machine, Da Vinci dreamt up many efficient tools for laborious tasks that we still use today – textile machines, cranes, drills. The Military Studies zone is bound to get your blood pumping too – this section features ingenious tools that da Vinci devised for nobles in the 15th-century Italian Wars, from canyons to rotating bridges.
Da Vinci, The Exhibition runs from now till 2 January 2022 at The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore.
Energy Story
With debates heating up over climate change, Energy Story couldn’t have been more timely. Jointly presented by Science Centre Singapore, the Energy Market Authority (EMA), and SP Group, this new permanent exhibition traces the tale of humankind’s progress as fuelled by energy consumption – and the urgency of mapping a more sustainable future.
It’s tough to visualize the world’s energy consumption, let alone grasp how each of us can make a difference. Energy Story helpfully unpacks this across six zones, kicking off from basic physics concepts and building up towards an overview of Singapore’s energy revolution. What’s more, this net-zero exhibition walks the talk on green energy – its energy consumption is fully matched with an equivalent production of green energy, thanks to the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Inspired already?
The Basics of Energy
If you need a bite-sized history refresher, the Evolution of Energy Sources zone charts how energy has powered human civilization from the time of the Industrial Revolution. Then, brush up on your secondary school physics over at Fundamentals of Energy. This space is packed with interactive exhibits that illustrate the laws of energy, including a mind-boggling experiment which has you ‘freezing’ shadows by pedaling on a stationary bike.
Energy in the 21st Century
Moving into the present day, Modern Energy Sources breaks down the pros and cons of common energy sources such as natural gas and solar energy, complete with a bird’s-eye view of how different countries use energy. Pit your wits with a friend in the multi-player ‘Future Power’ game, where you race to ‘gather’ energy while cracking challenges caused by pollution. Closer to home, Singapore’s Energy Story zeroes in on our nation’s energy strategy. It’s certainly worth delving into how we’ve powered our little red dot over the past 50 years – for instance, did you know Singapore had four energy switches?
going green
Our garden city isn’t just filled with greenery – it’s powered by green energy too. Energising the Future shines a light on Singapore’s cutting-edge research and development in generating sustainable energy. Last but certainly not least, Playing Your Part turns the spotlight on how we ordinary Singaporeans can make our own future more sustainable. Expect handy tips on good energy practices in our everyday lives, alongside fun games on energy saving at home.
Energy Story is a new permanent exhibition at Hall B, Science Centre Singapore.
Dinosaurs of Antarctica
We know Antarctica as a land of ice, but there was a time when it was swathed in primitive forest and home to colossal dinosaurs. Dinosaurs of Antarctica takes us on an epic journey back into prehistory, following a team of explorers on a quest to understand this southern continent’s dramatic transformation.
This film plunges us into the lost world of Gondwana, tracing its geologic changes from lush supercontinent to today’s icy Antarctica. Meet a cast of strange and startling dinosaurs like Glacialisaurus and Cryolophosaurus as they stalk the Antarctic forests, brought to vivid life on the theatre’s 8K 3D dome screen. Dino devotee or not, the magnificent visuals on offer here will keep you riveted.
Dinosaurs of Antarctica is screening from 3 September 2021 at Omni-Theatre, Science Centre Singapore.
Save up to 25% with The Science Centre Singapore’s new full day bundled admission pass. Priced from S$35.90 for adults and S$33.90 for children below 12, the four-attraction bundle covers entry to the Science Centre Singapore, Butterflies Up-Close, Omni-Theatre, and Da Vinci, The Exhibition, plus a S$5 Curiosity Shop Voucher. Tickets are also available for purchase with the SingapoRediscovers vouchers; get them online here.
The Science Centre Singapore is located at 15 Science Centre Rd, Singapore 609081, p. +65 6425 2500. Open Fri-Sun 10am–1pm & 2pm–5pm.
This post was brought to you in collaboration with the Science Centre Singapore.