The exhibition turns 20 years of Tara Ocean Foundation research into a 10-zone journey through coral reefs, Arctic frontiers and microscopic marine ecosystems.
Science Centre Singapore opened ONE Ocean: Every Action Ripples, bringing the global debut of a new immersive ocean science exhibition to Singapore.
At a time when ocean health, climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most pressing challenges, the exhibition brings decades of real-world ocean science to the public for the first time.
As an island nation closely tied to the sea through trade, climate and biodiversity, Singapore is a natural home for this global premiere.
The exhibition is brought to life through a three-way partnership that unites scientific rigour, immersive storytelling and public engagement. Tara Ocean Foundation, a pioneering French nonprofit that collaborates with renowned scientific institutions worldwide, lends the exhibition its scientific credibility, while experiential studio Ride FX transforms that science into a compelling immersive experience.
Spanning 360-degree projections, free-roaming virtual reality, spatial soundscapes and interactive installations, the exhibition moves from Arctic ice fields and coral reefs to bioluminescent depths, microscopic life, ocean currents and Singapore’s own marine ecosystems. It shows how these systems are connected, and how even the smallest actions on land or at sea can ripple across oceans, coastlines and communities worldwide.
ONE Ocean: Every Action Ripples reflects Science Centre Singapore’s continued ambition to make science more accessible, experiential and deeply relevant to everyday life. “As an island nation, Singaporeans have always lived alongside the sea, yet how often do we truly think about what the ocean means to our survival, our climate, our future?” says Ms Tham Mun See, Chief Executive, Science Centre Board.
“This exhibition is designed to bring that to light. We want every guest, regardless of age or background, to leave with a felt sense of connection to the ocean and the belief that their actions, however small, send ripples far beyond what they can see.”
“To reach out to more Singaporeans, $1 for every ticket sold will be channelled to vulnerable communities to visit our exhibition so that they can experience ONE Ocean free of charge.”
What guests will experience
The exhibition is a 60 to 100-minute self-paced journey through the ocean’s hidden ecosystems, scientific discoveries and interconnected systems.
Highlights include 7 Wonders of the Ocean, a 360-degree projection that surrounds guests with the abyss, coral reefs, whale migrations and bioluminescent marine life. Symphonies of the Ocean where guests mix real sounds from above and beneath the waves; and Tara Polar Station, a replica of a real drifting Arctic observatory, offers a glimpse into life and research in extreme environments.
Making every action ripple
Hands-on installations bring science to life. In Ocean Currents: Ever Flowing, guests trace the thousand-year journey of global ocean currents. In Colours of the Ocean: Coral Beds Under Pressure, a slider shows how reefs shift from vibrant colour to grey under environmental stress. Microscopic Life: The Superheroes of the Ocean introduces six tiny but vital organisms that help keep the ocean alive.
“Each expedition undertaken by the Tara schooner and Tara Polar Station is an opportunity to share the thrill of discovery with the public. ONE Ocean exhibition takes that further, creating new ways to reach new audiences and make ocean science part of our shared culture,” says Myriam Thomas, Director, Tara Ocean Foundation.
She added, “Science, adventure, curiosity and dialogue between citizens; these are wonderful ways to tell this story and foster real connections around the ocean.”
Bringing the ocean story home to Singapore
Bringing the story closer to home, Tides of the Red Dot explores Singapore’s marine biodiversity and conservation efforts through real specimens and insights from researchers and volunteers from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
For a deeper dive, Secrets of the Blue, a free-roaming VR add-on, takes guests through kelp forests, mangroves and coral reefs, highlighting how these ecosystems support climate regulation and carbon storage.
The sensory experience extends beyond sight and sound. Developed in partnership with Givaudan, the exhibition brings the scent of the ocean into the galleries, transforming the experience from immersive to visceral.
“Each environment gives guests a different way to experience ocean science through space, sound and interaction,” says Elia Vermander, Executive Producer, Ride FX. “Whether guests are surrounded by a 360-degree seascape, listening to hidden ocean soundscapes or moving through ecosystems in VR, the message remains the same: what happens in one part of the ocean ripples much further than we think.”