In Recognition of Innovation: The 15th Singapore Flying Amazing Competition Celebrates Ingenuity and Creativity with an Afternoon of Carnival Fun

• Largest number of participants since inauguration
• New Celebration of Innovation carnival commemorates 15 years of innovation at SAFMC with experiential booths and demonstrations

Singapore, 6 April 2024 – The 15^th Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition 2024 (SAFMC) Awards Ceremony was held today at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Jointly organised by DSO National Laboratories (DSO) and Science Centre Singapore (SCS), this year’s SAFMC saw the largest number of participants, with 2014 participants in 634 teams competing across 5 different categories.

The Guest of Honour for the ceremony, Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Defence, witnessed first-hand the exciting flying machines that the teams created through live demonstrations, and presented awards to the winners.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Heng highlighted, “Throughout the years of attending the ceremony, my favourite part is always the opportunity to share in your journey of experimentation and discovery. Your love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM for short, and your determination to realise your big ideas are important traits for this competition. But these traits are also equally important for Singapore. STEM is a foundation and key enabler for many technological innovations that have advanced Singapore’s economy, society, as well as our defence and national security capabilities.”

Mr Cheong Chee Hoo, Chief Executive Officer of DSO said, “Since its inception in 2009, we have seen the competition grow year on year. Even as the competition became more complex, students have not shied away from the challenge... SAFMC has always been more than just a competition – it aims to provide students with the opportunities to learn and grow as innovators, and to inspire and nurture youth interest in STEM.” 

Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive of the Science Centre Board remarked, “SAFMC serves as a dynamic platform for participants to explore their interests in STEM outside the classroom. Within this challenging yet rewarding environment, they are encouraged to push boundaries and embrace competition. More importantly, the competition underscores that STEM is not confined to engineers and scientists alone – it's a journey open to anyone with a passion for discovery. This exploration and experimental mindset lay the foundation to nurture innovation and cultivate our next generation of STEM innovators.”

SAFMC goes beyond the classroom, offering a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning adventure. Over three months, participants attend workshops and hone their problem-solving skills, and design and build their own flying machines (from paper planes to drones). Challenge Week concludes the event, where they showcase the capabilities of their creations to a judging panel.

The evaluation criteria included the aircraft’s flair, design, functionality, application of aerodynamics principles, and the participants’ presentation skills.

Upgraded challenges raise the bar

This year’s Challenges in the advanced categories presented participants with even greater complexity and room for innovation. In Category D1 (Man-Machine Teaming), competitors could choose a new shortcut path that was narrower and required greater precision control. Category E (Swarm) was also more challenging, with participants now having no prior knowledge of the playfield’s dimensions. This encourages more adaptable and intelligent strategies that align with current technological developments, as opposed to pre-programmed routes.

Familiar faces in advanced categories

Since 2009, SAFMC has served as a launchpad for Singapore’s defence research and development talent, providing opportunities beyond the classroom for students to further their knowledge and passion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

About Singapore Amazing Flying Competition

The Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition (SAFMC) is Singapore’s largest flying machine competition, jointly organised by DSO National Laboratories and Science Centre Singapore, and supported by the Ministry of Defence. SAFMC is one of the first competitions in Singapore that challenges participants to push the boundaries of innovation with wearable, collaborative, and swarming technologies for their flying machines.

Since 2009, this nation-wide competition has attracted over 20,000 aviation enthusiasts. It will once again challenge young bright minds to come up with innovative creations like no other. SAFMC aims to inspire and nurture youths in Science and Technology. Open to all students and public, this annual competition serves as an expedient platform to those who want to get one step closer to their aviation dreams.

About DSO National Laboratories

DSO National Laboratories (DSO) is Singapore’s largest defence research and development organisation. For the past 5 decades, DSO has been undertaking indigenous development of advanced defence and weapon systems that provide the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with the superior technological edge in the battlefield. While its primary focus is to support the SAF, DSO also extends its defence R&D capabilities to support homeland security.

With more than 1,600 defence engineers and scientists, DSO develops cutting edge technologies and solutions to enhance Singapore’s defence and national security capabilities. For more information, please visit www.dso.org.sg.

About Science Centre Singapore

Science Centre Singapore, a non-formal educational institution and leading regional Science Centre, along with its group of attractions, brings out the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through its unique blend of exhibitions, educational programmes and events. A custodian of creativity and innovation, Science Centre Singapore has captured the evolution of scientific developments for nearly four decades.

The Centre and its partners have played a pivotal role in transforming the way students and the public interact with and learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since 1977, the Centre has welcomed over 30 million visitors and inspired them with more than 1,000 exhibits spread across 14 exhibition galleries and outdoor exhibition spaces.

The Centre’s group of attractions include Omni-Theatre, Snow City and KidsSTOP™. The Omni-Theatre, is Southeast Asia’s first 8K 3D digital theatre with a 23m wide seamless dome screen, is an immersive destination like no other. Snow City is Singapore’s only permanent indoor snow centre offering an Arctic inspired experience at Singapore’s first ice gallery and snow chamber. KidsSTOP™️ - Where every child gets to Imagine, Experience, Discover and Dream - is Singapore’s first children’s science centre offering an enriching experience through purposeful play for children aged 18 months to 8 years old.

For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg.