Void Deck

About Void Deck

Welcome to Void Deck, a casual science podcast produced by Science Centre Singapore. Inspired by cosmic voids and HDB community spaces, we get you curious about big ideas in everyday life. Each episode, we bring science out of the labs and into your neighbourhood. We sit down with a local science changemaker and ask all the questions you’re too paiseh to ask. Is the fish in the wet market my distant cousin? Will robots eventually take over the world? Listen to down-to-earth conversations with Singapore experts on everything from space, nature, tech, health, and culture. Tune in and explore the universe from the heartlands! Discover more Singapore science stories at voiddeck.science.edu.sg (http://voiddeck.science.edu.sg).

Publisher

Science Centre Singapore

Category

education · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Oct 2024

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Episode 5 (Mini): What are 'Planets in Opposition'?

   What does it mean when a planet is in opposition? What are they opposing!? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia asks science educator Jogie on the upcoming planet in opposition (October 2026): 00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0) - 00:41 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=41s&pp=0gcJCWMAwfN6Pr3D) Introduction 00:41 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=41s) - 02:32 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=152s) What are 'Planets in Opposition'? 02:32 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=152s) - 03:17 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=197s) Why is it important? 03:17 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=197s) - 05:19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIPDbYOMjc0&t=319s) What to expect for the next opposition Guest Biography Ms. Jogie Ko is a Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. On a day-to-day basis, she conducts workshops for schools, as well as planetarium live shows at the Omni-theatre on some Friday nights. For full transcript and show notes, visit https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e5- (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e5-)planets-in-opposition (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUZZTVljRkxLcy02a0U1aHpmZ29WWjk1QnhqUnxBTl9pYzRlR3lNV05pZHhIWVlxcEtjUHczUmVNb1J5TjhNaC1UOGdVNWtTUmVxQTd5Y0l3eU1JMXRlM2RURjFNa3BOVTkxeVA3Sm1PMV9VV1RyTGdfdFpfdHhQZlA3R2NidHNw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fvoiddeck.science.edu.sg%2Fs3e5-planets-in-opposition&v=tIPDbYOMjc0) For more astronomy content, check out: https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/workshops-activities/stargazing (https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/w)

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   The Moon, Its Cultural Significance, And Its Belly...?

   In this episode, we explore the Moon's significance in many cultures, why we only ever see one side of the moon, and talk about a recent man-made crater. Episode highlights and timestamps 00:43 - 01:12 Introduction 01:12 - 02:10 The moon and its significance to various cultures 02:10 - 02:40 Why we only see one side of the moon: tidal locking 02:40 - 03:37 The shape and movement of the moon 03:37 - 04:16 What’s unique about our moon 04:16 - 06:39 Lunar impact of SpaceX rocket’s upper stage 06:39 - 07:19 Conclusion 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. For more, visit https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/podcast/ (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/podcast/) T ranscript and shownotes here: https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e4-moon-culture-significance-and-belly-vodcast (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e4-moon-culture-significance-and-belly-vodcast)

3. 

   16 Jun 2026

   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 (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/ (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 (https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/one-ocean)

4. 

   8 Apr 2026

   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 (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e2-how-to-train-your-robot)

5. 

   27 Feb 2026

   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/ (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e1-lunar-eclipse/)

6. 

   3 Dec 2025

   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-food-tech (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e2-food-tech)

7. 

   3 Dec 2025

   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 (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e4-ecology)

8. 

   3 Dec 2025

   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 (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/sport-science)

9. 

   3 Dec 2025

   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-psych (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e3-psych)

10. 

    16 Dec 2024

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

    Dr. Ayesha Khanna decodes the complex code of artificial intelligence, revealing how it's revolutionizing businesses, classrooms, and jobs, and whether sci-fi films are onto something about AI's future impact.

11. 

    9 Dec 2024

    Exploring Spacetech with Dr. Christopher Luwanga (Galamad Aerospace)

    Dr. Christopher Luwanga, founder of Galamad Aerospace, reveals how Singapore's spacetech companies are pioneering reusable satellites and reaching for the stars.

12. 

    25 Nov 2024

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

    Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub shares her expertise on Singapore's marine ecology, highlighting the crucial role of seagrass and blue carbon ecosystems in fighting climate change and preserving the island nation's unique biodiversity.

13. 

    11 Nov 2024

    Tracing Peranakan Ancestry with Prof. Roger Foo (NUS Medicine)

    You've probably seen those vibrant Peranakan shophouses in Joo Chiat – but how did this unique mixed-heritage community come to be in Singapore? To discover more, we speak with Prof. Roger Foo, the first Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Professor of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. Prof. Foo was one of the researchers behind the Singapore Peranakan Genome Project. We unravel some mind-blowing research about DNA, genetics, and the human heart. We also hear a bit about Prof. Foo's personal journey to becoming a doctor (hint: involves a hit medical TV drama). Episode Highlights Whether the science stacks up to legends about the origins of Peranakans in Singapore The sheer volume of data each of us possess in our genome (enough to stretch for 9000 km and fill up several thousand Bibles if written out)! How you (yes, you!) could likely be a descendant of famous historical figures like Genghis Khan The mysteries of species evolution, or, is the fish in the wet market your distant cousin? How cells 'sing' different songs from the same DNA, leading to diverse bodily functions Groundbreaking current research on rewiring heart cells and the potential future of regenerative medicine Timestamps 00:00 Preview 00:24 Intro 01:27 Prof. Foo's personal journey to becoming a doctor 06:56 Inception and findings of the Singapore Peranakan Genome Project 15:32 Genghis Khan and genetic isopoints 18:48 Is your 185th million grandfather a fish? 21:02 [Mid-roll ad] Bioethics: We could, but should we? at Science Centre Singapore 21:26 Paiseh question: what is DNA? 23:58 Epigenetics and heart health 28:02 Word association game 31:08 Outro Guest Bio Roger Foo is Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Professor at the NUS School of Medicine, Vice Dean of Research, Director NUHS Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Advisor to the NUHS Clinician Scientist Academy, and Senior Consultant Cardiologist, National University Heart Centre. He is an NUS med school graduate, and spent 20 years abroad on specialist training before returning to Singapore in 2013. His training was undertaken at Kings College Hospital, London, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. He was Wellcome Trust Fellow at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and returned to Cambridge to start a group as British Heart Foundation Fellow and Consultant Physician, before eventually returning to Singapore. His lab was the first to publish an epigenomic map of the failing human heart. More recently, he has published an in-depth analysis of the human cardiac chromatin 3D organisation, elucidating its changes during the heart disease response. The lab deep dives into the heart epigenome in continuing aspirations to discover mechanisms of disease for new therapies or biomarkers. Today, he spends a lot of time mentoring young scientist, alongside growing research on heart disease prevention and targets for new drug development. Correction The episode misstates the number of Peranakans whole-genome sequenced by the Singapore Peranakan Genome Project. The study collected blood samples from 177 self-declared Singapore Peranakan volunteers, not 700. Thanks Colin Chee for spotting! Read the full transcript & show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/peranakan-ancestry/ (https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/peranakan-ancestry/)

14. 

    29 Oct 2024

    Exploring the Universe from the Heartlands

    Launching Science Centre Singapore's first-ever podcast, taking you from Jurong to Jupiter and beyond. Explore the online publication and podcast at voiddeck.science.edu.sg.

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Spotify

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