June 12, 2025
For generations of primary school students in Singapore, an excursion to the Science Centre is a rite of passage. Last month, Illumina played a key role in enriching that experience by supporting the center’s annual Brain Fest, an educational event designed to make science fun, relevant, and inspiring.
As part of Illumina’s overarching The Future Is Bright initiative to spark a passion for science in the next generation, we welcomed 60 curious young minds to the Science Centre for a day of immersive learning and discovery. Brain Fest blends neuroscience and genomics education with personal development, encouraging students to build teamwork, time management, and strategic thinking skills.
“This is the second year the Illumina Corporate Foundation is supporting the Science Centre’s Brain Fest, which invites students to engage in various fun hands-on game formats to spark their interests and deepen their journey in STEM learning,” says Shiyun Quek, part of Illumina’s corporate social responsibility team in the region. In 2024, more than 6000 people participated in Brain Fest as well as the center’s DNA Discovery program.
This year, students paired up with Illumina employee volunteers to embark on a marked gallery trail with activity stations. They also played a dynamic escape game that explores how the brain functions as part of the central nervous system. These interactive activities brought scientific concepts to life while sharpening the students’ problem-solving abilities.
A highlight of the day was a hands-on genomics workshop offering a glimpse into the real-world applications of STEM: Students explored how mutations occur in DNA and how these changes can affect proteins.
The Science Centre’s senior director of education, Lee Song Choon, PhD, says: “Our partnership with the Illumina Corporate Foundation in supporting Brain Fest represents a significant step towards expanding our reach to schools and communities. This collaboration strongly aligns with the Science Centre’s mission to make STEM education accessible, relevant, and inspiring for all. Together, we’re fostering lifelong learning and empowering the next generation to shape not just Singapore's future, but to make meaningful contributions on a global scale.”
At Illumina, we believe every student should have the chance to see science as exciting and relevant to their life. Programs like Brain Fest, supported through our The Future Is Bright initiative, reflect our commitment to expanding access to STEM education and inspiring the next generation of innovators. To date, through The Future is Bright and other global programs, Illumina has reached 2.1 million STEM learners.
By connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications in genomics and neuroscience, we hope to open minds, and doors, to future possibilities. ◆
Find out more about Illumina’s STEM programs and other CSR initiatives here.
