City of Tomorrow: An Interactive Experience in how Singapore has Developed and Thrived

Written by: Tansirisithikul Pannavit (1A2, 2026)

Every day, we wake up, get ready for school, board a bus or take the MRT, and go about our daily routines. However, the systems that make these activities possible, as well as the effort behind managing and sustaining them, are often taken for granted. Think about it: how often do we pause to appreciate what goes on behind the running water in our bathroom sinks, the electricity that powers our household appliances and lights, the public transport services that conveniently take us to different places, or even the consistent education we receive every day? 

Our Secondary 1 End-of-Year Activity (EOYA), organised by Aphelion Consortium, took us on a visit to the Singapore Navy Museum. It was an eye-opening experience that explored how Singapore, aptly described as the "City of Tomorrow" during the programme, keeps these essential systems running smoothly for the benefit of its people.

Stepping into the museum, we were greeted by impressive displays of naval equipment and sleek architectural designs surrounding the exhibits. These served as reminders of Singapore's defence capabilities and the quality of its infrastructure. We eventually gathered on the top floor of the main museum, where Mr Joel, our lively and engaging guide, gave us a brief introduction to the programme. He shared interesting facts about Singapore, the operations and lesser-known details behind what keeps our nation running, and, most importantly, briefed us on the interactive activities we would be taking part in.

We were then divided into groups, with each group tasked to "run our own nation". We were given three hours to complete six stations: the "Green District", "Food District", "People District", "Transport District", "Energy District" and "Water District". Each station presented a fun, meaningful and thought-provoking challenge, allowing us to explore different aspects of life in a small but highly developed nation that we often take for granted.

At the "Food District", we were presented with four colours of units on a table, representing food supplies from Suppliers A, B and C, as well as the Local Farm. Each unit represented a unit of food, and the different suppliers had varying numbers of units available. Our task was to obtain six units of food from the available sources, even when some of them were "shut down". This was a simple yet insightful simulation that taught us the importance of diversifying our food sources to maintain food security and ensure that there is always enough food on our plates.

Meanwhile, at the "Green District", we were asked to match different methods of maintaining sustainability and balancing greenery with urban development in Singapore to their corresponding facts and location-specific information. This gave us a deeper understanding of how the resources we consume daily are managed to ensure their quality and availability. We also learnt how greenery, which covers approximately 47% of Singapore's land area, is sustainably preserved and replenished for both recreation and environmental conservation.

At the "People District", we were presented with thought-provoking questions and debates that offered us greater insight into the considerations involved in balancing convenience and economic benefits with the opinions of the people and their long-term interests. We learnt that decisions affecting ordinary citizens require careful consideration of different perspectives.

This was complemented by the "Transport District", where we had to plan a city by incorporating different forms of infrastructure and transport, including railways, walkways and roads. This was by far the most time-consuming and challenging task. By getting hands-on experience in designing a city ourselves, we gained a better appreciation of how governments meticulously plan districts, housing estates, infrastructure and transport systems, down to the smallest details, to ensure the convenience, efficiency and well-being of their people.

At the "Water District", we had to form a line and pass as many balls, each representing a unit of usable water, as possible from the first person to the last using cups and containers. We had to pass them over our heads without looking back, after which the last person would transfer them into a bag placed behind. In my group, many of the balls were "spilled" along the way, with very few making it into the bag. This symbolised how water is a precious resource that must be carefully managed to minimise wastage and ensure a sustainable supply.

The "Energy District" offered another unique experience. Each of us was assigned a different role representing a source of energy, with each role having its own limitations. For example, some of us had to hop on one leg, while others could only whisper. As a group, we were tasked with balancing a ball and moving it from one side to the other without letting it fall to the ground. This was already challenging enough, but additional "energy crises" were introduced, placing further physical restrictions on certain energy sources and the members representing them. Nevertheless, we worked together, overcame the difficulties and eventually achieved our goal. This activity highlighted the importance of diversifying energy sources and building resilience to overcome real-life crises.

Through this visit, I gained a better understanding of the complex processes and challenges involved in providing the essential services and resources that we often take for granted. I also learnt how careful planning and management are crucial in ensuring their quality, efficiency and reliability. Most importantly, the experience taught me to appreciate the many efforts that go into sustaining our everyday lives. 

As my classmate, William Zhang Xizhen, commented:

"Singapore relies on different resources, and the decisions made by the government to ensure security in the availability and distribution of these resources shape the prosperous and secure lifestyles of Singaporeans today."

So, the next time you board the MRT to school, take a moment to pause and appreciate the tremendous effort, planning and energy that go into ensuring that your train arrives on schedule!