The learning opportunities listed here may be more aligned to one of the Pre-University Science subjects and have been colour-coded as such (Physics / Chemistry / Biology). However, we welcome all interested students and teachers to join in. The majority are webinars, which enable you to participate wherever you are as long as you have access to the internet.
We have also included publicity for external learning opportunities, where relevant.
This space will be periodically updated with the latest events as details are confirmed.
Nature, Nurture, and Nicotine: Unpacking the Scientific Understanding of Neurogenetics and Addiction [Webinar]
17 July 2026 (Fri) 3.30 - 5pm
Speaker: Assoc Prof Ajay Sriram Mathuru, Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore
Abstract :
What happens when nicotine meets a developing brain? What makes vaping addictive, and are some individuals more vulnerable than others? This lecture explores these questions by bridging concepts you have learned in genetics and inheritance with real-world neuroscience. Substances like nicotine—the primary psychoactive agent in vapes—can influence far more than reward processing circuits, affecting appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. Our brains are highly plastic and adaptable, but they are particularly sensitive to external influence during teenage years when circuits for learning, attention, and self-control are still developing. Exposure to nicotine during this period can thus have long-lasting impact. But is there really such a thing as an "addictive personality"? We will discover that while genetic variants influence risk, genetics is not destiny. Ultimately, vulnerability is complex interaction between biology and environment—unfolding in a dynamic brain that is constantly updating with experience.
Speaker’s info:
Associate Professor Ajay S. Mathuru is a neuroscientist at the National University of Singapore, with appointments in the Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity (HLTRP) and Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM). He served as the Head of Studies for the Life Sciences Major at Yale-NUS College (2021-2025) and is a Joint Principal Investigator at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB, A*STAR). His laboratory focuses on brain health and uses zebrafish as a neurogenetic model to investigate how neural circuits generate behaviours motivated by rewards and risks. Their lab’s recent work examined how genetic variation in nicotinic receptor genes shapes aversion, adaptation, and broader outcomes on exposure to nicotine and alcohol.
Carbon, Energy and Chemistry [Webinar]
5 August 2026 (Wed) 3.30 - 5pm
Speaker: Dr Tristan Tan, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR
This talk introduces the connection between carbon, energy and chemistry. We will begin with the basic chemistry of fuels, why they are so useful, and why replacing them is difficult in modern society. From there, we will look at major decarbonisation approaches such as alternative fuels, carbon capture, carbon storage and carbon utilisation. The talk will also discuss the limits of chemistry alone. Many low-carbon technologies are possible in principle, but real-world deployment depends on engineering scale-up, cost, infrastructure, safety and policy. The aim is to show how chemistry helps us understand the carbon problem, while also showing why decarbonisation is a much larger systems challenge.
You may visit the link above to access Void Deck, a podcast created by Science Centre Singapore. Check out the topics!
The Pre-U Science Learning Series is organised by Sciences Branch, Curriculum Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Education, in partnership with external speakers, tertiary institutions and research institutes.
For assistance, please contact any of the officers listed below.
Mr Chng Chia Yi (chng_chia_yi@moe.gov.sg)
Dr Hazel Wong (Hazel_wong@moe.gov.sg)
Mr Teng Guan Foo (teng_guan_foo@moe.gov.sg)