The Science Teachers Association of Singapore (STAS) was established in November 1965 by a group of passionate science educators, with Mr Sng Yew Chong as its founding leader. Over the years, the association has been led by esteemed individuals such as Mr John Yip, Mr Wee Heng Tin, Dr Ang Wai Hoong, Mrs Carmee Lim, Miss Kan Sou Tin, Mrs Lim Chye Tin, Mrs Catherine Woon, Mrs Nora Teo, Mr Abdul Mannan, and Mr Jay Westly Mahardale. Currently, Ms Irene Tan, Principal Master Teacher, serves as the Chairman.

Past advisors to the association have included professors from the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technology University, the National Institute of Education, and the Directors of Singapore Science Centre. The current Advisor is retired educator, Dr Angela Wong Foong Lin, formerly an Associate Professor with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Group in NIE.

Since its establishment, STAS has organized a wide array of events such as talks, courses, workshops, seminars, and field trips, both locally and overseas, benefiting numerous educators and students. Notably, in 1982, STAS initiated the Singapore Young Scientist Cards Scheme with the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS), which has since impacted over 1 million students in collaboration with the Science Centre Singapore.

STAS collaborates closely with the Ministry of Education (Singapore), the Academy of Singapore Teachers, Science Centre Singapore, the National Institute of Education, and various affiliated Science Associations under the umbrella of the Singapore National Academy of Science. The association's annual activities include the Young Scientist Badge Scheme, the QUESTA Club, and Overseas Learning Journeys as well as biennial events such as the Outstanding Science Teachers’ Award, the Outstanding STEM Teachers’ Award, the Singapore Youth STEM Fair, and the Singapore International Science Teachers’ Conference.

STAS has been recognized for its contributions, receiving the Singapore Excellence Award in 1998 on behalf of all science and mathematics teachers in Singapore for their outstanding performance in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Additionally, in recent years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2023 and 2025), STAS has received the Partner of AST Awards by the Academy of Singapore Teachers for its unwavering dedication and support for teachers’ professional development.

The Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST) was established in 2010 as a leading academy for professional excellence in education and to uphold the values of the teaching profession. Guided by the philosophy of ‘Teacher Ownership, Teacher Leadership’ (TOTL) in professional learning, AST aims to cultivate a teacher-led culture of professional excellence focused on the holistic development of the child.

TOTL reflects AST’s strong belief that teachers, as professionals, are driven by a deep sense of mission and seek to exert intentional influence to achieve professional excellence within a trusting and supportive learning environment. The Master Teacher-led Subject Chapters within AST are a distinctive feature of the AST; they focus on enhancing teachers' pedagogical content knowledge for effective student learning and building a culture of teacher-led professionalism and pride in the teaching community through promoting professional collaboration and networked learning among teachers.

Science Centre Singapore, a non-formal educational institution and leading regional Science Centre, along with its group of attractions, brings out the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through its unique blend of exhibitions, educational programmes and events. A cradle of creativity and innovation, Science Centre Singapore has captured the evolution of scientific developments for nearly four decades. 

The Centre and its partners have played a pivotal role in transforming the way students and the public interact with and learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since 1977, the Centre has welcomed over 30 million visitors and inspired them with more than 1,000 exhibits spread across 14 exhibition galleries and outdoor spaces. 

The Centre’s group of attractions include the Omni-Theatre, Snow City and KidsSTOP™. The Omni-Theatre is an immersive dual-technology edutainment destination fitted with Southeast Asia’s largest seamless dome screen and featuring the latest and brightest 8k digital fulldome system in the world. Snow City is Singapore’s only permanent indoor snow centre offering an Arctic inspired experience at Singapore’s first ice gallery and snow chamber. KidsSTOP™ - Where every child gets to Imagine, Experience, Discover and Dream - is Singapore’s first children’s science centre offering an enriching experience through purposeful play for children aged 18 months to 8 years old. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg.

The Science Unit is part of the Curriculum Planning and Development Division (CPDD) at the Ministry of Education (MOE), and is responsible for developing syllabuses, programs, and resources to support Science and STEM teaching and learning from Primary to Pre-University levels. These materials, including syllabuses, textbooks, print materials, manipulatives and digital resources, such as those on the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS), are designed in consultation with key stakeholders. The unit also engages in research to study emerging trends in Science education to inform curriculum design and practice, as well as monitor curriculum implementation.

To support teachers in curriculum implementation, the unit collaborates closely with partners such as the Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Science Centre Singapore, and Institutes of Higher Learning. These collaborations provide key opportunities for teachers and students in Science education, including professional learning to enhance teachers’ competencies in content, pedagogy, and assessment; research and enrichment programs to stimulate students’ interest in Science; and collaborative platforms to develop national curriculum resources.

The Natural Sciences and Science Education (NSSE) academic group at NIE integrates science disciplines with science, technology, design and computing education to prepare future-ready science and STEM educators for Singapore’s schools. Its academics span biological sciences, chemistry, physics, science education, design and technology education, computing education, and food and consumer science education, enabling a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and research.

NSSE offers undergraduate, graduate, PGDE and in-service programmes that build strong subject knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and curriculum design capabilities for primary, secondary, and pre-university science teachers. Research covers both science content and science education areas such as integrative STEM, learning approaches, IT in science, and practical/project work. Working closely with schools, MOE and international partners, NSSE contributes evidence that shapes curriculum, pedagogy and professional learning, strengthening Singapore’s national teacher education system and classroom practice. It also houses meriSTEM@NIE, a dedicated STEM education research centre that advances STEM teacher education and professional learning in Singapore and across the wider region.

The Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS) is a constituent member of the Singapore National Academy of Science. The Association collaborates closely with the Science Centre Singapore, the Science Teachers Association of Singapore, and other organisations to advance its objectives of promoting the understanding of science and technology among youth and the public.

The SAAS is also the sponsor of the Singapore International Science Teachers’ Conference since 2010.