ONE Ocean: Every Action Ripples

I thoroughly enjoyed and gained much knowledge from the learning journey as it covered marine biology in great detail. Ranging from marine animals to technological developments, the programme walked us through the different aspects of marine biology, giving us a bigger picture of ocean life. The exhibition featured many different displays which provided us with a good understanding of the marine situation both within Singapore and on a global level. It showcased the wide biodiversity of marine life and the threats to their existence, providing insights into current and future challenges as well as the conservation and research efforts being carried out. It contained many interactive components that made learning more fun and comprehensive, including a VR experience which was really immersive. It allowed us to personally experience the beauty of the ocean through viewing marine animals up close and observing rare phenomena. The OMNI theatre show was especially memorable as it provided a detailed look into the impacts of human actions. It showed us how our actions have been gradually harming marine ecosystems over the course of time, and the mass destruction it has resulted in. It featured examples of marine ecosystems worldwide, showcasing the importance of protecting them from harm, while giving us hope to reverse the damage caused through doing our part to protect it.

This learning journey to the Science Centre’s ocean section was incredibly insightful, especially since I got to try a VR experience for the first time alongside a 4D immersive movie. The virtual world felt so shockingly realistic that even though I knew I was just in an empty room with my friends cheering me on, I still hesitated to take a single step forward out of fear of bumping into the virtual rocks and corals. It might sound silly, but everyone else in the group reacted similarly, so, it is really quite remarkable! I was also amazed at the fact that the ‘real’ environment was absolutely invisible in the VR lens, it was a magnificent 360 degrees viewpoint of the virtual world! Beyond the thrill of this advanced technology, I felt very privileged to learn more about scientific facts like coral bleaching, and research studies such as the impact of corals’ surface on the fish who feed on them. Furthermore, the trip taught me about the dedicated researchers and animal lovers working tirelessly to help marine life survive. It also highlighted how severely plastic pollution threatens creatures like fish and turtles. Ultimately, I realized that we humans have a responsibility and should be more devoted to reducing our plastic waste and eliminating littering to support these conservation efforts and make up for the ways we pollute our oceans.