Forget the typical holiday tropes; this March, Singapore’s iconic ArtScience Museum is inviting families to look a little closer at the world beneath their feet and the tech in their pockets. Through the Critters & CareBots programme, the museum has transformed into a living laboratory where the lines between biological nature and digital innovation blur in the most delightful ways.
As part of the broader Forms of Life curatorial season, these activities offer a rare chance to see how the “tiniest heroes” of our ecosystem, insects, are inspiring the next generation of life-saving technology.
Nature Meets the Machine: Critters & CareBots
Running until 10 May at the ArtScience Laboratory, this programme is a hands-on exploration of “Environmental Empathy.” It’s not just about looking; it’s about understanding the intricate relationships between humans, machines, and the natural world.
- The “Cyborg Cockroach”: Perhaps the most talked-about highlight is the Life-Saving Insects display. Here, visitors can witness how biological intelligence and engineering merge. These “cyborg” insects are designed for disaster rescue, navigating crevices humans simply cannot reach to locate survivors.
- The AI Pet: In the Art of Being Calm zone, children can bond with an AI-powered pet that uses emotional sensors to respond to their mood. It’s a fascinating, gentle introduction to how we might share our future with autonomous systems through care and responsiveness.
- Miniature Lab: Aspiring scientists can use “Foldscopes”—clever paper microscopes—to examine the iridescent wings of butterflies and the sturdy carapaces of beetles, discovering the survival secrets of these micro-architects.
Cinematic and Visual Spectacles
If you prefer a more curated journey, the Insects: Microsculptures Magnified exhibition features 37 monumental portraits by Levon Biss. These high-magnification images turn tiny beetles into shimmering, alien-like masterpieces.
For a moment of respite, head to the ArtScience Cinema on Level 4 for the Fly on the Wall film series. From the classic animated courage of A Bug’s Life to the breathtaking documentary Microcosmos, these screenings provide a literal “bug’s eye view” of the world.
Planning Your Visit
Most of the Critters & CareBots activities in the Laboratory are free admission, making it an accessible way to engage with high-level science. However, specific workshops like the Insect Tour for Kids and the Citizen Scientist session with The Curious Pangolin are ticketed and tend to sell out quickly.
Whether you’re there to meet a cyborg insect or to find a moment of Zen with an AI companion, this March at ArtScience Museum proves that even the smallest spark can ignite the biggest imagination.