LARGEST DEFENCE SCIENCE EXHIBITION IN S'PORE OPENS

Now you don't see it, now you do.

To the naked eye, there is nothing special about a yellow and green pixelised picture on the wall, but look at the same picture through colour filter glasses, and a silhouette of a submarine appears.

This is one of the exhibits at the Defence Science Revealed (DSR) exhibition at the Science Centre Singapore (SCS). Conceptualised and organised by DSO National Laboratories (DSO) and SCS, the exhibition boasts more than 80 displays to provide a deeper understanding of the scientific processes behind many military innovations.

This exhibition, which is the largest of its kind in Singapore, is held in conjunction with DSO's 40th anniversary this year. The only other time DSO held a similar exhibition was 10 years ago, on a much smaller scale.

Commenting that the exhibition aims to demystify defence science, Mr Quek Gim Pew, DSO's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Defence is a serious business, but the science behind defence can be fun and engaging. Through this exhibition, we hope to bring out the fun part of science through games, demonstrations, workshops and interactive exhibits."

Chief Executive of SCS Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng added: "This exhibition can also educate the public and show parents that when our children are serving NS (National Service), they are well thought about and protected."

Covering 3,000 square metres in area, the exhibition is divided into three main zones. The first, themed 'Stealth and Surveillance', introduces the principles of radar and stealth technology. Here, visitors can experience how a thermal camera reveals what the eye cannot see, and they also play multimedia games to search for hidden targets using infra-red and hyperspectral cameras.

Next up is a 'Science of Flight' zone, with displays that demonstrate aerodynamic principles such as drag and lift. One of the main highlights in this zone is a nine-fan wind tunnel that allows visitors to feel the effect of the lifting force when they strap on ready-to-wear wings.

The third is an 'Armour and Protection' zone that looks at how soldiers can be better protected against mines and artillery shelling in the battlefield. The exhibits in this zone include suspended mine resistant seats in armoured vehicles, as well as samples to show how the properties of materials can affect the level of protection of an armour system.

For some hands-on experience, visitors can enter the DSR 'playground', where they can launch gliders and topple a pyramid of paper cups using a vortex cannon, which is a smoke-filled box.

There are also workshops that students can sign up for to carry out experiments such as reducing thermal emissions to minimise detection and making their own armoured glass.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who launched the exhibition on 20 Oct, emphasised the importance of defence science to the country: "Our vulnerabilities are indeed immutable; Singapore will therefore always need our local defence scientists and engineers to produce indigenous cutting-edge technologies to sharpen our defence capabilities."

"Defence scientists and engineers have a critical impact on Singapore but it is also a career that is stimulating and fun," he added.

The exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 6pm daily, and runs till 17 February next year. For the public, admission charges are $12 for adults and $8 for children, which includes entry into both SCS and the DSR exhibition.

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Regulars and Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) can enjoy discounted rates at $8, and admission for families of two adults and two children will cost a total of $24.

Regulars and NSFs also enjoy a special group rate at $2 per person if they come in groups of at least 20 people, but this rate grants admission only to the DSR exhibition.