The Singapore Science Centre (now known as Science Centre Singapore) was set up to promote interest in and the learning of science and technology among students and the general public.Situated in Jurong, the centre has held many science and technology-related exhibitions and programmes[1] since its opening on 10 December 1977.[2]
The idea of establishing a science centre in Singapore was first envisaged in 1955 by a group of four men[3] comprising Rex Anthony Shelley (Hume Industries Ltd), Ronald Sng Ewe Min (Science Council of Singapore), Bernard Tan (University of Singapore) and Sng Yew Chong (Ministry of Education).[4] The men had visited a number of science centres overseas and felt that such an establishment in Singapore would be a useful avenue to promote science and technology. Initially, the group planned to open a small science centre in a rented shophouse.[5] This, however, became a larger public project after the plan was picked up by Lee Kum Tatt, then chairman of the Science Council of Singapore.[6] To advance the Science Centre plan, the council mooted the idea to the government in 1968 and extolled the merits of having such a centre to “promote and disseminate knowledge in science and technology”.[7]
The council’s proposal was accepted by the government who then passed the Science Centre Bill on 22 July 1970 to create a Science Centre Board to manage the Science Centre. The bill also stated that the Science Centre would take over the natural history component of the National Museum.[8] An architectural design competition was held in February 1971 for the design of the building and Raymond Woo’s design, which still stands today, was picked as the winning design.[9] Construction of the Science Centre began in 1973 and was completed in 1976 at the cost of S$12 million. The centre was officially opened on 10 December 1977 by then Minister for Health Toh Chin Chye.[10] At the time of its opening, the Singapore Science Centre had four exhibition galleries: Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Special Exhibits and Lobby. On display were 328 exhibits featuring 19 themes such as nuclear power, wave fundamentals, solar radiation, the universe and the origins of life.[11]
References
1. Science Centre Singapore. (2009). About us. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from Science Centre Singapore website: http://www.science.edu.sg/aboutus/Pages/SCBAboutUsHome.aspx
2. Science Centre must keep pace with progress – Dr Toh. (1977, December 11). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Thangaraju, G. (Interviewer). (2002, January 24). Oral history interview with Rex Anthony Shelley [Transcript of MP3 No. 002602/12/04]. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from National Archives of Singapore website: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/
4. When and how it all began. (1977, December 10). The Straits Times, p. 41. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Thangaraju, G. (Interviewer). (2002, January 24). Oral history interview with Mr Rex Anthony Shelley Shelley [Transcript of MP3 No. 002602/12/04]. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from National Archives of Singapore website: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/
6. Chew, D. (Interviewer). (1993, August 19). Oral history interview with Dr Lee Kum Tatt [Transcript of MP3 No. 000821/13/07]. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from National Archives of Singapore website: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/
7. Science Council of Singapore. (1968). Science Council of Singapore Annual Report 1967/68 (p. 6). Singapore: Science Council of Singapore. Call no.: RCLOS 506.15957 SCSAR; Stress on contemporary science and its uses. (1977, December 10). The Straits Times, p. 41. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official Report. (1970, July 22). Science Centre Bill (Vol. 30, cols. 137–142). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN.
9. Science Centre design contest. (1971, February 23). The Straits Times, p. 9; Architectural design prize winners. (1971, November 28). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
10. Singapore Science Centre. (1973). Science Centre Board Annual Report 1972/73 (p. 5). Singapore: The Centre. Call no.: RCLOS 354.5957093 SSCAR; Toh to open $12m Science Centre in Jurong. (1977, December 7). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. Singapore Science Centre. (1977). Science Centre Board Annual Report 1976/77 (p. 15). Singapore: The Centre. Call no.: RCLOS 354.5957093 SSCAR.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.