STAR Lecture Returns to Explore the Chemistry of the Modern World

SINGAPORE, 29 July 2013 – The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Science Centre Singapore are proud to present a returning crowd favourite of the Singapore Science Festival – the STAR Lecture 2013.

Held over the course of three days, this year’s STAR Lecture is presented by Dr Peter Wothers, Teaching Fellow at the University of Cambridge, who will explore the chemistry of the modern world around us. Each lecture will address one original ancient Greek ‘elements’ that tantalised alchemists for centuries – Air, Water, and Earth. By understanding the properties of these three materials, we can now put them together in exciting new ways that promises to dazzle audiences.

Organised by A*STAR and Science Centre Singapore in partnership with the Royal Institution (Ri) of the United Kingdom and co-sponsored by Procter & Gamble Asia, the STAR Lecture is set to be staged for a live audience of almost 1,600 at the Science Centre. A recorded version of the live sessions will be nationally televised on Channel 5 on 8 October 2013 at 6.30pm, to reach out to thousands more households.

Targeted at 13 to 18 year-old students, the STAR Lecture draws from the Christmas Lectures approach of teaching science in an engaging and entertaining manner. Held annually since 1825, the Christmas Lectures were initiated by British scientist Michael Faraday. He implemented the initiative at a time when organised education and learning opportunities for the young were scarce.

“When medieval alchemists staged spectacular stunts in front of royalty, they never revealed the secrets of their mystical potions and fire-breathing creations. Today’s chemists can perform equally impressive feats, but they do so to explain and explore the extreme frontiers of our material world,” said Dr Wothers. “Through these sessions, I hope that youths will gain a greater appreciation of our world and delve deeper into the wider universe of scientific discovery made possible by three basic elements.”

Commenting on the popularity of the STAR Lecture, Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive of Science Centre Singapore said, “We brought back the STAR Lecture as it communicates very complex topics in a fun and engaging way. We’re honoured to have Dr Wothers this year to demonstrate that science as a subject is not only literally all around us but is also more accessible and entertaining than we think it is.”

The STAR Lecture is one of the most popular events of this year’s Singapore Science Festival. Taglined, ‘Science is Fun’, the nation’s largest annual science event collectively celebrates and showcases science in an attractive, experiential, and relevant manner to everyday life.

“This year’s Singapore Science Festival has seen visitors from all walks of life participate in a host of activities staged by local attractions, education, and research industries. Ultimately our goal for this festival is that through various encounters, we hope many will see the value of science and inspire them to pursue a career in the field to drive future innovation and open amazing new possibilities for Singapore and beyond,” said Dr Lim Khiang Wee, Executive Director of the A*STAR Graduate Academy.

About the Singapore Science Festival 2013

The Singapore Science Festival is an annual celebration of the latest scientific innovations, new technologies, cutting-edge research and engineering, making them relatable and relevant to everyday life. With a range of exciting hands-on activities, carnivals, partner workshops, and guest performances lined up all over Singapore from July 19 to August 4, the 2013 edition of the festival promotes the message “Science is Fun”. Previously known as the National Science Month, the festival is jointly organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore. For more information, please visit us at http://www.sciencefest.sg or look us up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/singaporesciencefest.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.

In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.

For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About the Science Centre Singapore

The Science Centre Singapore celebrates 35 years of promoting interest and creative learning in science and technology. Over the past 35 years, 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. The Science Centre, Omni-Theatre and Snow City have engaged and enriched more than 29.5 million students and visitors since 1977. A custodian of creativity and innovation, the Centre has captured the evolution of scientific developments through unique and relevant exhibitions and shows. It continues to ignite young minds and foster new generations of scientifically savvy Singaporeans. A non-formal educational institution and leading Science Centre in the region, the Science Centre houses 14 exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 exhibits, and another 30,000 sq metres of outdoor exhibition space showcasing the Waterworks exhibition, Ecogarden and Kinetic Garden. It also houses the Omni-Theatre — Singapore’s only dome-shaped, 5-storey high IMAX theatre. The Science Centre, Omni-Theatre and Snow City received 1.26 million visitors for FY2012/2013. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg.

About the Royal Institution and the Christmas Lectures

The Royal Institution is an independent charity based in the UK and aims to connect people with the world of science. Its annual Christmas Lectures are its biggest events; demonstration-packed, fun-filled science events for young people. Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, they are now broadcast on UK television every Christmas and have formed part of the British Christmas tradition for generations. The theme of the lectures changes every year, and they are delivered by an expert in their field.

About Procter & Gamble Asia

Procter & Gamble serves about 4.6 billion people in the world today; and in Asia alone, we serve over two billion people.  The Company has built a portfolio of 25 billion-dollar brands – each of which generates from US$1 billion to more than US$ 10 billion of sales per year.  We work to make sure that the Company’s brands live up to their promise to make everyday life just a little better, now and for generations to come.

We are celebrating P&G’s 175th anniversary globally this year, a milestone very few companies have achieved. And here in Asia, we have been helping make everyday life better for 77 years.

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) entered Asia in 1935 with the acquisition of the Philippine Manufacturing Company, and has since expanded its presence to 46 markets across Asia.

Today P&G has on-the-ground operations in 14 markets in Asia, with its regional headquarters based in Singapore.

For more information, please visit www.pg.com

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