Science Centre Singapore

Opinion: How has Covid-19 changed our relationship and engagement with museums? - SilverKris

"An established science centre that reopened after a temporary closure during the circuit breaker period, it has doubled down on digital engagement—using transmedia storytelling such as Instagram Stories, do-it-yourself science videos and blogs—to reach youths who primarily consume information online. The institution is combining these channels with hands-on, multi-sensorial physical exhibits, including an immersive “human body” journey, the controversial "Body Worlds" display of plastinated cadavers and a pop-culture "Avengers" exhibition, to spark curiosity and attract the elusive cohort between college and parenthood. Future design priorities emphasize hygiene and crowd control—selecting easy-to-clean materials, sectional airflow, transition spaces, patron-count monitoring and automated sectional closures—accepting lower building capacity in exchange for deeper, more meaningful engagement. Technologies like augmented reality and 4D effects are being used to raise production values and borrow techniques from the entertainment sector, while the centre commits to tackling complex subjects such as artificial intelligence and DNA technology to build science literacy. Overall, the approach treats young visitors as discerning but engaged participants: concise, participatory content and opportunities for investigation aim to equip them to make informed decisions while satisfying their appetite for authenticity and interactivity." - Mia Chenyze & Rachel Eva Lim