SCIENCE CHALLENGE SPARKS CREATIVE IDEAS AMONG STUDENTS

"Powerful consequences are the result of people asking 'why' or 'why not', and using Science & Technology to make the improbable possible." Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said this at the Amazing Science-X Challenge (ASXC) awards presentation on 21 Aug.

The event, held at the Singapore Science Centre, was the culmination of the learning journeys of 125 participating teams who were tasked with designing and building a stand-alone science exhibit that best explained a physical science phenomenon. This year's competition saw an 80 percent increase in the number of participating teams, and double the number of schools, from last year.

Quoting Thomas Edison in his speech, Dr Ng said: "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." He stressed the need to build a culture of innovation and exploration, and encouraged the students to try new ideas and not fear failure. He also urged them to "never underestimate the power of your imagination, your ability to uncover the marvels of science and inspire others to do the same."

Dr Ng described Singapore as a growing hub for developing and testing new technologies that attracts global industries and scientific talent. On the defence technology side, he noted that the DSO National Laboratories and Defence Science & Technology Agency collaborated with each other to offer prestigious scholarships to groom future scientists and engineers who would, in turn, develop technologies that sharpened the cutting edge of Singapore's defence.

This is the second year that the ASXC has been held, jointly organised by DSO National Laboratories, the National University of Singapore's Science Faculty and Singapore Science Centre.

The competition was divided into four categories, A to D, for participants from primary and secondary schools to junior colleges, polytechnics, universities and the public. Projects were judged based on their creativity, clarity, viewer engagement and development of ideas.

In teams of three, the participants had to create exhibits that would engage and excite their audiences. Open to them were Science-X Workshops which taught them the fundamentals of exhibit design, and Science-X Clinics where industry experts offered critique and advice.

The Classic Levitating Ball Experiment by Hwa Chong Institution Team A is simplistic in its set-up but based on an elaborate principle.

Simplicity was what won Hwa Chong Institution Team A the top prize in Category B for their project, The Classic Levitating Ball Experiment. The experiment featured styrofoam cups with their bottoms removed, and attached to hair dryers. When these were switched on, ping pong balls placed lightly in the path of the blowing air levitated in place. "It has to be easy to understand even though it's based on an elaborate principle," said Jarren Koh, one of the team members, as he explained his team's project.

21 Aug 10 - Speech by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, at the Amazing Science-X Challenge Award Presentation Ceremony