Genefest 2011

22 - 28 July 2011, Suntec City Convention Hall 401

As part of Singapore Science Festival 2011, Science Centre is organising an event called 'GeneFest'. This year, Genefest revolves around the theme on “Food”. Through hands-on activities, interactive games, exhibit displays and show, students will learn the biochemical and molecular aspects of food. The activities designed for this event are targeted at upper primary – secondary school students and general public.

Some of the learning objectives are:

How the immune system responds to an allergy
Medicinal properties in plants
Preservatives in food
Genetically modified food and the ethical concerns
Enzymes and digestion
Hormones (endocrinology)
Brain function

Theme: Food

Have you wondered why some foods do not spoil so quickly? Or why is it that eating chocolates makes you happy? What happens to the food in your body after you consume it? If these questions trouble your mind, then make sure you visit our new mall - FOODAHOLIC INC. A mall like no other, this mall will give you insights into the biochemical and molecular aspects of food.

In line with the theme, exciting activities, games, displays and a show have been organised to run concurrently at the various stalls listed below:

Duration: 2.5 hours (recommended time to engage with all stalls including the Fmood Show)

Time: 11 am - 9 pm (daily)

Safe or Swell Supermart. Make the right choice.

Title Safe or Swell Supermart | Make the right choice

Description Want to eat a certain food but you are allergic to it? Or do you know anyone with a food allergy? Discover alternative choices when buying food for an allergic person. Learn how to choose the right food items and yet still be able to enjoy delicious food!
Most of us love food, so we need to be aware of the dangers of food allergies and make the right choice. Come join us for this enriching activity where you will not only learn more about allergies but also get to shop for one of our four patients with different types of food allergies!
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Au Naturale Pharmacy. One stop to Food-for-health.

Title Safe or Swell Supermart | Make the right choice

Description Do you know that some of our medicines contain plant products? Some of these plants are actually our everyday food! Want to know which plants contain medicinal properties and why plant parts are used in alternative medicine therapies? Carry out a simple and yet fun activity and discover interesting medicinal properties of some plants. Solve a puzzle to help Miss Forgetful Fiona, and learn more about the link between plants, medicine and food.
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Everlasting Burgers Restaurant. What is keeping your food fresh?

Title Everlasting Burgers Restaurant | What is keeping your food fresh?

Description Craving for juicy burgers and golden yellow fries? You may want to think again before you sink your teeth into the next cheeseburger. Come witness our selection of one month old burgers and fries – how long do you think it takes for your burger to ‘die’? Also, don’t forget to watch out for the ‘Today’s Special’ burger. Just like burgers, most food we consume daily has been preserved by different methods. Preservation of food is important as it helps to keep food fresh, making them durable and long lasting. However, long term consumption of preservatives can cause health problems. Come join in the fun as we challenge you to unravel the methods of preservation of the food we all love – fast food.
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Genetically Modified Food Lab. The Good, the Bad and the Unknown

Title Genetically Modified Food Lab | The Good, the Bad and the Unknown

Description Have you ever asked yourself this question: “How much of your food has been genetically modified?” GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s and as technology improves, it seems like GM foods are making their ways into our daily food diet. When one mentions the word “GM Foods”, questions about the health risks always surface first. As consumers, are we well-informed of these food products or have we been consuming them without even realising their presence? Come discover more about GM foods and also take part in our GM foods debate!
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Enzymes Kitchen Lab

Title Enzymes Kitchen Lab

Description Discover the secrets of enzymes and learn how the human body uses thousands of enzymes to carry out numerous biochemical processes. One clear example of an enzyme-assisted process is digestion. Did you know Enzymes are one of the most important proteins that help to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins into simple compounds that the body can absorb and burn for energy or use to build or repair tissue? We also get important enzymes from the food we eat. Visitors will take part in hands on activities and demonstrations to explore the different properties of enzymes in food we eat, with focus on the major food groups (milk, vegetables, fruits, cereal and drinks).
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The Fmood Show

Title The Fmood Show

Description Sad food? Happy food? Have you ever wonder how food can affect your mood? Or even, if your mood can affect your choice of food? The Fmood Show will reveal how some foods can secretly trigger biochemical reactions that will either excite your senses or relax your nerves and many more! Join us in this fun and interactive science show to find out!

Show Times Weekdays - 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 7.30 pm
Weekends - 2 pm, 5.30 pm

Duration 30 min
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For Schools Only

The capacity for Genefest is 200 participants per one hour interval. So, please submit your intent of participation via the booking form in advance.

Click here to access the Genefest 2011 circular (suggested links to the curriculum have been tabled in this document).

Click here to access the Booking Form.

For further enquiries, please contact Ms Charissa Lin at 6425 2789 (email: cey_lin@science.edu.sg) or Ms Claire Chong at 6425 2441 (email: dnalab@science.edu.sg).

We would greatly appreciate if you could fax or email the completed forms to us by 20 July 2011 so that we can confirm your bookings as soon as possible.

Please fax the completed booking form to 6561 6361 or email your bookings to Ms Claire Chong. All nominations will be made on a first-come-first served basis.