Blog Battle Topic for Week 4:
Name a location where you think shows both Singapore's past and future and why?
tomorrow.sg/archives/2005/04/28
The idea for this particular destination was initially mooted in 1988. It was to be a museum to highlight the history of the SAF. This idea later then evolved to be a platform for Singaporeans to think about their past, and to help them prepare for the challenges of the future.
It was officially opened by the then, President Ong Teng Cheong on 23 November 1996.
With a unique triangular roof structure and supporting rectangular buildings and located on the grounds of SAFTI Military Institute, this place exudes the kind of charisma & mystery.
My family had the honour of being among the first few to visit this place in 1996.
Read on fellow Singaporeans, if you have never been to this place, maybe what I write will entice you to go.
A museum? An art gallery? A science centre? What is this place?
Not quite. Welcome to the Singapore Discovery Centre.
www.sdc.com.sg/
http://www.spoon.com.sg/clients/sdc/test/location.html
Its main objective has been to promote the Singapore Story through entertainment and interactive activities. With the redevelopment, the Centre embarks on a new journey as a world-class edutainment attraction for Singaporeans and overseas visitors alike.
http://www.spoon.com.sg/clients/sdc/test/index.html#
I had been to the Centre twice, first time was in 1996. My daughter, Nuraina was 4 and my son, Sulaiman was just 3. We had an enjoyable time there. There was a lot of details about Singapore's past that I came to know and appreciate. As my children were too young to fully understand the exhibits, both my husband and myself decided to come again when they were much older.
http://www.spoon.com.sg/clients/sdc/test/index.html#
We came for a second visit after its $25 million makeover. My goodness...the place has indeed changed. I could see more high-tech interactive exhibits designed to acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the dreams of Singapore and every Singaporean. With the new look and feel, the new S'pore Discovery Centre (SDC) provide the macro view of the Singapore Story and identity, with a focus on the challenging issues that continue to shape us as a nation.
http://www.spoon.com.sg/clients/sdc/test/index.html#
With 5 main galleries around 8 different themes, and a floor area of 4,500 square metres, my children did not get tired. They were too busy going through each exhibits and experience.
One of its many highlights is the world's first and largest team-based interactive "design studio". Regarded as the jewel piece of S'pore Discovery Centre, the Visionarium is a gigantic globe and has a 360-degree wrap around screen inside. In each session, up to 120 people can make creative choices to turn Singapore into one of the best cities in the world to live, work and play in. The final design is presented on the wrap around screen.
In Gateway: This exhibit uses 3 elements - Fire, Earth and Wind to present Singapore's history in a provocative, edgy and raw fashion.It introduces key milestone events that shaped Singapore on the road to nationhood.
In So Singapore Theatre: What makes Singapore 'So Singapore'? How often do you get to see the Merlion rapping and singing away about Singapore and the many little things we often take for granted as So Singapore.
In On Location Reporter: We experienced the thrill of broadcast journalism. On location reporter took us on a journey through Singapore's historic moments like the National Service call-up, the beginnings of the Housing Development Board (HDB), the launch of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and so on.
In Security Pavilion: My family understood why Singapore cannot take security for granted. A key highlight is the Crisis Simulation theatre. A bomb explodes at a MRT Station. Could this happen here? Will you let this happen? And what can we do to prevent it?
In Unity Pavilion: My children truly enjoyed the quiz trivia show, insightful nuggets and hands-on games. This exhibit allowed us to appreciate and celebrate the diverse cultures and the common way of life that shape Singapore's distinctive identity as a country.
My family was able to immerse ourselves in Singapore's past, present and future, travelling though time to key moments in our nationhood and experiencing them "as they happen". Best of all my children enjoyed talking to George, the robot.
rmbr.nus.edu.sg/roundtable/sdc.html
On why I chose this location? A lot can be learned from this place, its interactiveness, its experiences, its lessons...to name a few, just left me in awe. I guarantee you that your whole family will not get bored.
I truly believe to get to the future, we must acknowledge the past, be it the mistakes or the success. Only then, we can make a better Singapore for us to live in, in the future, for our children's children.
The Singapore Discovery Centre, a truly deserving destination to hear our past, see the present and touch the future. I rest my case.
Rosita Lea
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