The third competition in DSO's Amazing Series of Competitions ended with a big bang recently.
The Amazing Science-X Competition (ASXC) was held at the Science Centre Singapore with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, gracing the event as its Guest-of-Honour, alongside hundreds of participating team members, supporting parents and teachers.
Read on to get a fuller picture of how the inaugural ASXC has once again been successful in engaging our youths to experience the world of science and technology in unique and fun ways!
Science Phenomena Explained
Have you ever experienced the Archimedes Principle of Buoyancy, encountered the Stroop Interference Effect, or even come across a Centripetal toy?
These were some of the many interesting science phenomena that were demonstrated at the ASXC 2009. Jointly organised by DSO, NUS Faculty of Science and Science Centre Singapore, ASXC saw more than 70 teams from 24 schools competing against each other with their innovative exhibits.
Spread across four categories, teams ranging from primary school students to even working professionals were challenged to design and build an exhibit that can best explain a physical science phenomenon. The judging criteria included creativity, clarity and viewer engagement.
In her welcome speech, Associate Professor Chin Wee Shong, Vice Dean (Finance, Human Resources and Outreach), NUS Faculty of Science, gave an insight on why the teams' achievements were no mean feat: "The winning formula to this competition is in audience engagement, where one's exhibit is able to capture the audience's imagination in demonstrating the marvels of science with fascinating sights and sounds. In short, ASXC is looking for THE exhibit with THE X-factor."
Likewise, Guest-of-Honour, DPM Teo, recognised the challenges teams have to face in this competition: "The explanation cannot be too complex, or you confuse the audience and lose them. Make the explanation too simple, and you trivialise the phenomenon and it loses its significance. It is difficult to explain it as simple as possible, but not simpler!"
Photo Caption: DPM Teo launching an upcoming Fire Tornado exhibit for the Science Centre. By controlling the air flow, the fire rises and flames up in a tornado-like shape. The one seen here is a smaller version of the actual exhibit, which is estimated to be about 6 metres high!
The Proud Winners
For Team Pioneer Aces, the Category A winning team from Pioneer Primary School, researching on the physical science phenomenon for their exhibit was the most interesting part of the competition for them.
Explaining how their teacher gave them some suitable ideas for their exhibit, it was the team's effort that made the difference. "We all went to the internet and did our research separately. We then discussed what we found and finally decided on how best our exhibit can demonstrate the scientific concept", said 10 year-old Joshua Chen. But it wasn't always smooth sailing for the team. "We argued a lot on how to build the exhibit. We even changed the team leader twice," Joshua continued in his animated voice. Immediately Loh Bi Zhan, his fellow team member, joked: "Yes, we sacked you because you were lazy!"
It was another good laugh when DPM Teo made his way round the exhibits, and stopped by to test how he fared in the Stroop Interference Effect*. As it turned out, DPM Teo surprised everybody with his results, and when he asked the team why the Stroop Interference Effect did not seem to affect him, Bi Zhan said innocently, "Because you are special and unlike others!" The entire entourage, including DPM Teo, had a hearty laugh upon hearing his comments.
Photo Caption: DPM Teo being put to the test by the boys from Team Pioneer Aces.
Another interesting team in the competition was from Greenview Secondary School, who was awarded a Special Mention prize for their unique exhibit that captured the judges' attention. The only Normal Technical stream students in the competition, the team was quick to admit that they do not enjoy nor fare well in science subjects. However, when their teacher advised them to combine their excellent design and technical skills with a scientific concept, they thought it was very intriguing and decided to give the competition a try.
After much brainstorming, they designed and built a series of puzzles centred round the concept of Centripetal Force (a force that makes a body follow a curved path). And these puzzles were certainly more than just engaging. Some contained money within them that tease you further as you frustrate over the impossible task of dismantling the puzzle. The trick is a special locking mechanism that can only be unlocked if you spin the puzzle. Spinning creates a Centripetal Force that will open the lock.
The team was beaming with pride when they found out they were receiving an award. Said team member Caleb Ho: "I didn't think we were going to win anything at all. I am very happy that we did. This competition made my friends and I realise Science can be quite fun after all."
Photo Caption: Don't underestimate these puzzles put together by the team from Greenview Secondary School!
Besides adding a twist to the competition, this team's participation is an excellent example on the purpose of DSO's Amazing Series of Competitions such as ASXC. It will continue to engage and encourage the younger generation to appreciate science better, and through our continuous efforts, DSO is certainly one step closer to grooming more aspiring scientists and technologists for Singapore's future!
*The Stroop Interference Effect demonstrates how the brain can get confused when it has to decide which information to process first. Here is a simple test. Simply say out loud the colour of the following words. You will notice you will be taking a much longer time and possibly making a few mistakes along the way!
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
What is happening is that the brain has to make a choice on which is more important; the meaning or the colour of the word. As the word meaning is processed as more important, it makes it difficult to simply say out loud the colour of the word!
Click on the links below to view the press release and news coverage of the event:
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