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New exhibition in Science Centre aims to demystify quantum science

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 12:19 GMT by The Straits Times
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Singapore Science Centre Unveils “Quantum Leap” – An Interactive Journey into the Heart of Quantum Science

The Singapore Science Centre (SSC) has opened its doors to a brand‑new exhibition that promises to demystify one of the most bewildering fields of modern physics: quantum science. Titled “Quantum Leap,” the show is a year‑long endeavour that marries cutting‑edge research with hands‑on learning, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists while giving every visitor a chance to grasp the basics of quantum mechanics without the jargon.

From Concept to Reality

The exhibition was born out of a collaborative partnership between the SSC, the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the Institute of Physics (IOP). According to a statement released by the SSC’s director, Dr. Lian Tan, “Quantum physics is often seen as an impenetrable frontier. Our goal is to turn that image on its head by presenting the concepts in an accessible, interactive format that resonates with people of all ages.” The partnership reflects Singapore’s national quantum strategy, which seeks to position the country as a global hub for quantum technologies.

The “Quantum Leap” gallery is anchored by four thematic zones: Quantum Foundations, Quantum Wonders, Quantum Applications, and Quantum Futures. Each zone is peppered with a mix of immersive exhibits, live demonstrations, and hands‑on labs that allow visitors to experiment with qubits, superposition, and entanglement in real time.

Bringing the Invisible to Life

One of the show’s most talked‑about attractions is the Quantum Tunnelling Maze. Visitors must guide a marble through a physical maze while it “tunnels” through walls—an entertaining visual metaphor for quantum tunnelling, where particles can appear on the other side of a barrier they shouldn’t be able to cross. In the Quantum Superposition Playground, participants can manipulate a digital “quantum coin” that flips between heads and tails, staying in both states until observed. A subtle yet powerful demonstration of superposition, the exhibit lets kids (and adults) feel the counter‑intuitive nature of the quantum world.

In the Quantum Applications section, visitors can witness the practical side of quantum science. A Quantum Cryptography Demo demonstrates how quantum key distribution (QKD) can produce ultra‑secure encryption. The demo is interactive; visitors can send a secret message that is encoded using entangled photons, and then try to intercept it. The instant loss of quantum coherence upon interception is a vivid reminder of the “no‑cloning theorem” and why quantum encryption is touted as the future of cybersecurity.

For the more curious, the Quantum Lab offers a chance to build a basic quantum circuit using a Raspberry‑Pi‑based interface. The setup uses a simple superconducting qubit simulation that lets users set the qubit state, apply a “Hadamard gate,” and then measure the outcome. While the device itself is a mock‑up, it faithfully follows the mathematics of real quantum computers, offering a gentle introduction to quantum computing for those who might otherwise find the topic daunting.

A Storytelling Approach

Not all of the exhibition is hands‑on. “Quantum Futures” features an immersive, story‑driven VR experience that traces the evolution of quantum science from Planck’s quanta to modern quantum networks. The narrative is narrated by a holographic physicist who walks visitors through milestones such as Einstein’s photoelectric effect, Bohr’s planetary model, Schrödinger’s cat, and the dawn of quantum information science.

Meanwhile, the Quantum History Gallery provides a timeline that highlights key breakthroughs and profiles the scientists behind them. Interactive displays allow visitors to tap on a particular year to watch short documentary clips about the discovery, accompanied by quotes and anecdotes that humanise the pioneers of quantum physics.

Making Science Accessible

Dr. Tan emphasises that the exhibition’s design was deliberately inclusive: “We wanted to ensure that neither the physics students nor the primary school children feel alienated by the content. That’s why every exhibit has a clear, step‑by‑step explanation, and we provide a QR‑code‑based scavenger hunt that guides visitors through the key concepts.”

The SSC has also partnered with local schools to run guided tours that dovetail with national curricula. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Education, “Quantum Leap will be a key resource for teachers looking to bring real‑world physics into the classroom. The interactive nature of the exhibits aligns perfectly with Singapore’s emphasis on inquiry‑based learning.”

Visitor Experience and Practicalities

“Quantum Leap” is free to the public during weekday daytime hours. There is a small entry fee for weekend visitors and for the VR experience, which is priced at S$12 per person. The exhibition runs from 28 May 2024 until 30 September 2024, with the option to extend if visitor demand stays high.

For those who prefer a self‑paced visit, the SSC offers a digital guide available on its official website, where visitors can download a QR‑coded booklet that provides deeper explanations and a glossary of quantum terms. The guide also includes a printable “Quantum Quest” activity sheet for school groups.

Looking Ahead

The launch of “Quantum Leap” marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s push to become a quantum technology powerhouse. Beyond education, the SSC’s exhibition serves as a platform to showcase the practical relevance of quantum science in everyday life—from secure communications to next‑generation computing.

As the exhibition draws crowds of curious minds—from toddlers to senior researchers—it demonstrates that the seemingly arcane world of quantum physics can indeed be brought down to earth. By turning abstract theory into tangible experience, the Singapore Science Centre has laid a clear, compelling path for people to not only understand quantum science but to become part of its future.