Providing a Headstart to Singapore’s STEM Education 

THE CLIENT

Science Centre Singapore

WHAT WE DID

Audience research & engagement
Experience strategy

Experience strategy for KidsSTOP

The Science Centre Singapore is the national institution promoting interest and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To foster Singaporeans’ interest in STEM from young, it introduced KidsSTOP for children aged 18 months to 8. KidsSTOP is a 3,000m² gallery where children can learn STEM concepts through interactive activities.

HOL was the experience and engagement strategy consultant for KidsSTOP. With our expertise in experiential children’s spaces and childhood learning psychology, we helped the Science Centre develop a space where young visitors could acquire STEM knowledge, develop soft and cognitive skills, and understand the world through purposeful play.

SUMMARY

The go-to destination for STEM fun and learning

Parents and educators have highly recommended KidsSTOP. As the go-to space for STEM fun and learning, KidsSTOP has helped seed young children’s interest in STEM and opened their minds to the impact they could make on Singapore and the world through STEM.

kids stop image

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Science Centre Singapore

The Science Centre promotes interest, learning and creativity in STEM. Through engaging and accessible exhibitions and programmes, it creates an imaginative and fun experience for its visitors.

CHALLENGE

Opening minds to STEM’s possibilities

A STEM-focused education benefits young children’s overall development. It helps nurture their natural curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also prepares them to become creative problem-solvers and lays the foundation for future STEM careers.

Singapore’s economy is highly dependent on sectors that need a strong foundation in STEM, from advanced manufacturing and electronics to biotechnology and financial services.

Singapore thus prioritises STEM-focused education, which is critical for sustaining its economic growth, meeting workforce demands and solving pressing real-world problems like climate change, an ageing population and sustainable development.

How could the Science Centre help drive the national agenda for STEM? A part of the answer was exposing young minds to the possibilities of STEM through KidsSTOP.

INSIGHTS AND STRATEGY

A science museum of Singapore’s own

Science museums worldwide typically model after their counterparts in the West. However, we recognised that Singapore’s cultural norms and educational priorities would make KidsSTOP unique.

In Singapore, parents and educators of young children acknowledge the importance of nurturing children’s curiosity through play and discovery.

Our experience strategy would have to take into account:

  • the needs of younger children
  • the expectations of their parents and teachers
  • local culture and preferences

 

 

 

kids stop image
kids stop image
Photo credit: Science Centre Singapore

We strategised KidsSTOP to be a science museum with self-directed experiences that encourage curiosity and exploration in children 8 years and below. Its STEM exhibits covered various scenarios, from the construction and aviation industries to supermarket and medical settings.

The idea was to expose young children to different experiences to help them discover their interests, which was also in line with the expectations of parents and teachers.

We localised the content so young children could relate to it better. If it was subject matter they came across every day, it would be easier to understand, and more relevant and meaningful. Our goal was to help young learners relate the new information they acquired at KidsSTOP with their prior experiences for more effective learning.

For example:

 

  • the nature section included local flora that the children could see in their neighbourhoods
  • at the supermarket section, children could “buy” products they would find at local supermarkets
  • children’s heights and weights at the health section corresponded to those of average Singaporean children

 
 
 
 
 

kids stop image
Photo credit: Science Centre Singapore

A consultancy based in the United States led the design. While it understood Singaporean cultural norms well, they might not be familiar with Singapore’s unique educational system and the expectations of parents and teachers. So, we worked with them to include nuanced and necessary details in the interpretive panels and service design to create a more delightful visitor experience.

For example, local parents prefer to watch over their children while the latter are engaged in activities. So, we advised that rest benches be placed near the activity areas so parents could have their children in view at all times.

School groups are a significant audience segment for KidsStop. We recommended larger common areas to accommodate school children in big groups so that it would be a more comfortable experience for all, including non-group walk-in visitors there at the same time.

quotemark image

Angeline was meticulous and looked after every detail, taking us through each step and explaining what she was going to do. She is knowledgeable and competent in museum learning experiences.

Professor Lim Tit Meng
Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Science Centre
quotemark image
Back to menu