Void Deck | Podcast en RSS.com

Void Deck

por Science Centre Singapore

Educación Ciencia

Temporada 3

Deep Dive Into All Things Ocean

What's the difference between scuba and free diving? What kind of marine life is in Singapore? What sounds do you hear underwater? Can corals get un-bleached? And most importantly, what on earth is zooxanthellae? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia asks science educators Meng and Edna to deep dive into all things ocean. For more ocean content, join us for our Science Cafe panel discussion on 26 June 2026: https://www.science.edu.sg/workshops-activities/science-cafe Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 - 01:23 Introduction 01:23 - 03:11 Scuba and Free Diving 03:11 - 04:25 Marine Life: Dugongs 04:25 - 05:16 Marine Life: Peacock Mantis Shrimps 05:16 - 05:52 Marine Life: The Number 1 Rule 05:52 - 08:41 Marine Life in Singapore 08:41 - 11:46 Difference between Scuba and Free Diving 11:46 - 13:38 Are corals plants or animals? 13:38 - 15:48 Sounds underwater 15:48 - 16:28 Are whalesharks whales or sharks? 16:28 - 17:16 What is a plankton? 17:16 - 18:38 Coral bleaching 18:38 - 20:03 Guest Feature: Tara Ocean Foundation Guest biography Mr. Lim Meng Hwee (Meng) is a Senior Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. Some of the classes he teaches include the Aquatic Plants & Animals class, as well as astronomy workshops and planetarium live shows at the Omnitheatre on some Friday nights. Ms. Edna Chan is a Master Science Educator from the Gallery Experience & Sustainability team at Science Centre Singapore. She hosts some of the flagship shows at our centre, such as the Energy Titans and Fire Tornado shows. For full transcript and show notes, visit https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e3-deep-dive-vodcast/ Get your tickets to ONE Ocean here: https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/one-ocean

How to Train Your Robot

Have you ever seen humanoid robots walking the streets or going viral online? How do they move? Why don't they fall while carrying out all those fancy moves? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia sits down with in-house 'robot trainer' Wenjun to unravel how such humanoid robots work. Episode Highlights & Timestamps 01:11 Introducing the Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot 02:00 How can the robot do boxing? 03:10 How does the robot learn? 04:23 What can it help us with our daily lives? 05:00 'Would You Rather...' 05:43 Can robots replace humans? Guest biography Ms. Wenjun Liang is a Senior Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. On a daily basis, Wenjun can be found around the centre conducting shows and interacting with guests. For the RoboFest, Wenjun has been specially trained to work with robots. For transcription and show notes, visit: https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e2-how-to-train-your-robot

Why is this Lunar Eclipse so Special?

On 3 March 2026, the Moon turns red into a Blood Moon as it goes through a total lunar eclipse. But how exactly does that happen? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia sits down with in-house space expert Meng to unpack what makes this total lunar eclipse special. Why does the Moon turn red? Is a Blood Moon different from a lunar eclipse? Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:51 Why does the Moon turn red? 01:32 Quickfire 'This or That' -- what does our space expert prefer? 02:10 How to watch the eclipse on 3rd March 2026 04:39 Embarrassing Question #1: Are all lunar eclipses red? 05:28 Embarrassing Question #2: Is a Blood Moon = a lunar eclipse? 06:18 Fun Fact!: Eclipses always happen in pairs Guest biography Mr. Lim Meng Hwee (Meng) is a Senior Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. On a daily basis, Meng conducts workshops and classes in the centre, including the planetarium shows at the Omnitheatre some Friday nights. Meng is especially focused in astronomical sciences and you may often see him at local astronomical sites with his very own gear and mind full of stars. For full transcript and show notes, visit: https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e1-lunar-eclipse/

Temporada 2

Are Our Heritage Trees Actually Non-Native? with Dr. Shawn Lum

Scattered across Singapore are 255 registered Heritage Trees—remarkable for their majesty, cultural value, and the histories these green landmarks are rooted in. While some are native, many aren’t. So how did our heritage trees end up here, and what makes them worth conserving? In this episode, tropical forest ecologist Dr. Shawn Lum walks us through the hidden world of our heritage trees, the work that goes into conserving them, and why they matter more than we might think. Episode Highlights • The meaning behind Heritage Tree status - how trees earn this prestigious designation through their botanical value and cultural significance • The extensive work that goes into conserving our natural heritage, from expert arborist inspections to lightning protection installation • The journey of Singapore's most common Heritage Tree species, the Rain Tree, from South America to Southeast Asia • Discovering century-old majestic trees in the Changi area that still stand as living witnesses to Singapore's changing landscape • How everyday citizens can contribute to forest conservation, from nominating potential Heritage Trees to participating in the One Million Trees movement Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:59 Definition and Criteria for Heritage Trees 02:29 Nomination Process for Heritage Trees 04:27 Non-Native Species and Globalisation 07:34 Maintenance of Heritage Trees 10:44 Dr. Lum’s Favourite Heritage Trees 13:44 What You Can Do to Help Our Forests 15:14 Outro Guest Bio: Dr. Shawn Lum joined the NTU Asian School of the Environment in January 2016 after spending more than twenty years as a Lecturer at the National Institute of Education. He joined NIE upon completion of his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Shawn is a product of islands - he was born in Tokyo, raised in Honolulu, and has spent his working career in Singapore. Shawn's teaching has centered upon plant diversity, forest ecology, and conservation. In addition to his teaching and academic work, he works closely with local environment and nature-related agencies and is also active in nature conservation NGOs and civil society. [From NTU] Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e4-ecology

Is Your Phone Making You More Kiasu? with Dr. Jean Liu

According to a study by IMH, about 1 in 3 Singaporeans aged 15 - 65 are reported to have problematic amounts of smartphone usage in their daily lives. But what happens when we’re seeing our peers on their 5th couples trip to Japan on Instagram? Does it make us more “kiasu” about our own lives? Can our brains get so overloaded with digital content to the point of “brain rot?” What can we do to develop healthier relationships with our devices? Behavioural scientist Dr. Jean Liu shares her insights. Episode Highlights • How the “fear of missing out” (FOMO) drives problematic social media use—people who fear missing out are most vulnerable to excessive platform engagement and its negative effects, especially on social networking sites • Why the pop science concept of social media providing "dopamine hits" might be oversimplified and what neuroscience actually tells us about our brains on screens • The truth about "brain rot" and why consuming "mindless" content isn't necessarily harmful • How our phones are changing the way we remember and behave, from search-engine-oriented memory patterns to the psychological impact of "phubbing" (phone snubbing) • Practical strategies for digital wellness including the concept of "digital minimalism" that focuses on aligning device use with life goals rather than arbitrary screen time limits Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:52 What is Kiasu? 01:39 FOMO and Social Media 03:06 Why is Social Media So Addictive? 04:51 Debunking the Dopamine Hit 06:42 Brain Rot 09:10 Effects of Screentime on the Brain 11:03 Healthier Relationships with Devices 13:25 Being Present for Others 14:37 Final Thoughts: Is Your Phone Making You More Kiasu? 15:12 Outro Guest Bio: Dr Jean Liu is a Director at the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, and adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. [Note: Since recording this episode, Dr. Jean Liu has been appointed as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Singapore Institute of Technology.] Her primary research area focuses on how digital devices impact our health and social relationships. To date, she has published >30 research papers on topics such as: how individuals use their phones during meals, how social media relates to mental health, how WhatsApp users transmit health messages, and whether following Taylor Swift predicts better mental health outcomes. In recognition of her expertise, Dr Liu has served as consultant to the World Health Organisation, assisting with the roll-out of a new mental health framework for the Western Pacific Region. She is also a Council Member for the Agency for Care Effectiveness, expert panelist for the Health Promotion Board, and board member for several non-profit organisations. Her research insights have been discussed in parliament, and she speaks frequently in the media. Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e3-psychology/

Could Durian Be the Secret to a Sustainable Future? with Prof. William Chen

Durian is a beloved staple in Singapore, with over 12 million consumed annually. But what happens to the durian seeds and husks after it is consumed? As the nation strives for sustainability and a circular economy, how can we better manage the food waste we generate? Using the King of Fruits as an example, food technologist Prof. William Chen shows us how we can transform trash into treasure, from durian-derived antibacterial bandages, biodegradable food wraps, and natural food stabilisers. Episode Highlights • How scientists are transforming discarded durian husks into unexpected innovations from antimicrobial hydrogel bandages that soothe skin conditions to biodegradable food packaging • Why the scale of Singapore's food waste problem – 700,000 tonnes of annual food waste (equivalent to two bowls per person daily) is driving creative solutions in food science and technology • The fascinating potential of traditional culinary practices like fermentation in creating a circular food economy • How Singapore's unique position as a small, nimble city-state with expertise in biomedical science, AI, and engineering is helping pioneer urban food solutions that could benefit cities worldwide Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:46 Upcycling Discarded Durians 06:28 Using Fermentation to Reduce Food Waste 11:12 Singapore's Potential for Food Science & Technology 13:46 Outro Guest Bio: William Chen received his undergraduate and graduate education from l’Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He is the Michael Fam Endowed Professor and Director of Food Science & Technology Programme at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. He is concurrently Director of Singapore Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH), and also Director of Singapore Agri-food Innovation Lab (SAIL). Professor Chen is active in securing and leading large competitive research grants from major government agencies as well as leading international food companies. His team’s food technology innovations in food waste upcycling towards the food circular economy have been extensively attracting global attention. In addition to publishing regularly in top food science journals, his team works closely with food industry to translate innovations into consumer products. His team’s food tech innovations and his views on food safety and food security have been regularly featured in major local and international media outlets. He is also advisor/consultant to overseas universities, Singapore government agencies, food industry, and international organizations (ADB, FAO, WEF, WHO among others). Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e2-foodtech/

What Technologies Are Used to Train Singapore’s Top Athletes? with Dr. Marcus Lee

The achievements of Singapore’s elite athletes like Joseph Schooling and Shanti Pereira have long captivated and inspired Singaporeans. What kinds of interesting or unexpected technologies are used to train top athletes? How can biomechanics provide a competitive edge? Sport biomechanist Dr. Marcus Lee shares fascinating and surprising stories of how devices from 3D motion capture systems to simple cameras are applied to help Team Singapore athletes perform their best. Episode Highlights How Dr. Marcus Lee translates biomechanics into a "4S model" (Structure, Strength, Skill, Strategy) to support Team Singapore athletes The surprising range of tools used in high-performance sports training: from core temperature monitoring pills to eye trackers and more The fascinating story of how 3D motion capture and magnetic gates helped identify and improve Shanti Pereira's sprint start technique How a simple camera and mathematical calculations helped support the race strategy for Joseph Schooling's historic Olympic gold medal win How Singaporeans can use everyday technologies to improve personal fitness Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:35 Understanding Biomechanics 02:03 Role of a Sport Scientist 03:19 Interesting Sport Technologies 04:54 Case Study: Shanti Pereira 08:28 Case Study: Joseph Schooling 12:02 Using Technology for Personal Fitness 13:45 Outro Guest Biography Dr. Marcus Lee is Director of Special Projects at the National Youth Council and also serves as Director and Principal Sport Biomechanist at the High Performance Sport Institute, Sport Singapore. A former Head of Sport Science and Medicine, Marcus has led teams behind the scenes to support Team Singapore athletes across various sports at major competitions like the Olympics, Asian Games and World Championships—making sure they’re not just ready to compete, but ready to thrive. Drawing from biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, psychology and medicine, he and his team work closely with coaches and athletes to improve performance, reduce injury risks, and fine-tune every detail—from strength and movement, to recovery and mental prep. As a sport biomechanist, Marcus is especially curious about how the human body moves and performs under pressure, and how to equip athletes with the right strength, skill, and strategies to succeed. A father of two and passionate advocate for youth development, Marcus believes science should serve people—helping athletes not only win, but grow with purpose and resilience. Correction The episode misgeneralises that "distance over time is velocity or speed." While this may serve as a practical shorthand in the sporting context, strictly scientifically speaking, the two terms are not interchangeable. Distance over time is speed, not velocity. Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance, while velocity is the rate at which an object changes its position in a specific direction. Read the full transcript & show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e1-sport-science/

Temporada 1

Decoding Artificial Intelligence with Dr. Ayesha Khanna (Addo AI)

In a world where AI is rapidly transforming industries, Singapore is positioning itself as a global AI hub. But what does this mean for our daily lives and jobs? We debug the complex code of artificial intelligence with Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of Addo AI and a globally recognized AI expert based in Singapore. Dr. Khanna shares insights on how AI is revolutionising businesses, the impact of AI in the classroom, why seeing AI as adding to and not replacing human talent is crucial in the future of work. Plus, we hear whether sci-fi films like The Terminator showing a robot uprising are onto something. Episode Highlights Decipher how generative AI works - from Shakespeare to FIFA, discover how generative AI mixes and matches vast amounts of data to create something new Explore the concept of "AI friends" and why they might be both wonderful and dangerous - it's not just about chatbots anymore! Hear whether there’s any truth to popular science fiction movies–will AI take over the world? Be warned about "AI hallucinations" and why you shouldn't trust everything ChatGPT tells you (especially in court!) Get the scoop on why naming your robot something cute might be the key to embracing how AI can be for you Timestamps 00:00 Preview 00:39 Intro 01:40 Dr. Khanna’s educational background 03:35 How Dr. Khanna got into AI 07:41 Dr. Khanna's work at Addo AI 10:13 AI applications in healthcare, insurance, customer service 13:46 What jobs are at risk of being replaced by AI? 16:55 [Mid-roll Ad] Smart Nation Playscape at Science Centre Singapore 17:29 Is the next generation at a disadvantage if they become reliant on AI? 20:42 The dangers and wonders of AI friends 23:21 Paiseh question: will robots/AI take over the world? 26:35 Paiseh question: How does generative AI really work? 30:07 Word Association Game 34:35 Outro Guest Bio: Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of Addo, is a leading AI expert and Forbes-recognized entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation. Holding degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and the London School of Economics, and having spent over a decade on Wall Street, she advises CEOs on AI and data transformations and serves on boards such as Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L'Oreal's scientific advisory board. A passionate advocate for inclusivity and diversity, Dr. Khanna provides AI education scholarships to girls and mid-career women through her education company, Amplify. Read the full transcript & show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/decoding-ai/

Exploring Spacetech with Dr. Christopher Luwanga (Galamad Aerospace)

Singapore may be known as the Little Red Dot, but its ambitions are astronomical. In this episode, we explore how this tiny island nation is becoming an unexpected player in the space industry, with homegrown spacetech companies reaching for the stars. We chat with Dr. Christopher Luwanga, the CEO and founder of Galamad Aerospace, a space start-up based in Singapore. We discuss his journey growing up in Malawi to completing his engineering PhD at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Along the way, Christopher talks about the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe, the importance of reuseable satellites, and his vision of the future of space exploration. Episode Highlights Discover how Dr. Christopher Luwanga went from reading Shakespeare at age 9 in Malawi to founding a spacetech company in Singapore Learn about PROSat, Galamad Aerospace’s programmable and reusable satellite that could be part of the expected 50,000 satellites orbiting Earth in the near future Find out why Singapore, despite its small geographical size, is an ideal base for space start-ups Explore the challenges of implementing AI systems in satellites, including creating synthetic space environments for training Hear first-hand about fascinating developments in the space industry, such as the fact that since 2019, more satellites have been launched than in the entire period from the 1950s to 2019 combined! Get mind-blowing insights into the sheer scale of the universe: when you look at the sun, you're seeing the sun as it was roughly 8 minutes ago due to the time it takes light to travel! Timestamps 00:00 Preview 00:27 Intro 01:31 Growing up in Malawi and early interest in literature 04:18 From Shakespeare to space: realising the immense scale of the universe 07:11 Founding Galamad Aerospace 09:28 Why Singapore is an ideal base for Galamad Aerospace 10:45 PROSat, Galamad Aerospace’s spacecraft, and the state of current satellites 14:24 How do satellites avoid hitting each other? 16:36 Implementing AI systems with satellites 20:07 Managing operations across Asia and Africa 21:31 Creating opportunities in Africa 23:37 [Mid-roll Ad] Space Explorers: THE INFINITE at Science Centre Singapore 24:25 Paiseh question: Does Singapore have astronauts? 26:19 Advice to Singaporeans interested in the space industry 27:32 Word Association Game 33:10 Outro Guest Bio: Dr. Christopher Luwanga is a space engineer and physicist based in Singapore, and originally from Malawi, Africa. As founder of Galamad Aerospace, he is leading a team of designers, engineers, and builders of spacecraft for the new age of consumer applications that are built around space technologies. One of the most exciting applications is that of broadband connectivity from and via outer space. This extension into space not only creates a powerful, resilient complement to our existing terrestrial network infrastructure but in some places is the only practical means to connect people to the internet. Galamad Aerospace is also specifically developing the PROSat, a programmable, reuseable, and highly manoeuvrable spacecraft that will ultimately enable smart constellations that do not unnecessarily crowd or pollute the space environment. Read the full transcript & show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/exploring-spacetech/

Diving into Singapore's Marine Ecology with Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub (International Blue Carbon Institute)

We all know Singapore as a Garden City, but what about seeing Singapore as an island country? We dive into the lesser-known marine elements of Singapore's tropical environments with Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub, Senior Director of the International Blue Carbon Institute. We talk about her passion for unsung underwater heroes like seagrass, her journey to becoming a marine ecologist, and what makes mangroves and coastal habitats so important in the fight against climate change. Episode Highlights The surprising fact that Singapore has more seagrass species than the entire United States How blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass are secret superheroes in the fight against climate change The fascinating world of seagrass - not to be confused with seaweed or seagrapes! Why corals bleach, and how seagrass produces its own natural “sunscreen” The crucial link between dugongs and seagrass, and why protecting one means saving the other How everyone, from chefs to economists, can contribute to marine conservation using their unique skills Timestamps 00:00 Preview 00:36 Intro 01:52 What is blue carbon, and what are mangroves? 05:31 Seagrass vs. seaweed vs. seagrapes 07:14 Interesting fieldwork and overseas experiences 10:17 Misconceptions about marine ecologists 11:40 Does Singapore have a lot of native seagrass? 12:41 Dr. Siti’s career path 17:20 International Blue Carbon Institute’s contributions and COP29 20:37 Advice on taking climate action 23:39 Mid-roll ad: Climate Changed exhibition at Science Centre Singapore 24:07 Paiseh question: how bad is the state of our marine environments, really? 25:28 Effects of heat stress on marine life, e.g. coral bleaching 29:55 Word association game 33:07 Outro Guest Bio Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub, Senior Director of the International Blue Carbon Institute at Conservation International, leads the institute's global efforts in translating blue carbon science into tools and methodologies for climate mitigation and adaptation. Based in Singapore, she spearheads initiatives aimed at fostering multidisciplinary expertise and cultivating a resource hub for knowledge exchange. Siti is a marine ecologist and works across tropical marine and coastal habitats. Her work and research interests broadly lie in the areas of ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions for adaptation and mitigation in marine environments. Within this, she is specifically interested in using seagrass habitats as a model system for understanding ecological thresholds to stress, ecosystem resilience, and the effects of human activities and climate change on the marine environment. Read the full transcript & show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/marineecology

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