Singapore’s Only Natural History Museum
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) at the National University of Singapore stands as the nation’s sole natural history museum, tracing its institutional roots to the original Raffles Museum of 1878 and ranking among the oldest such institutions in Southeast Asia. Housing over one million specimens that document the rich biodiversity of the region, the museum serves as both a research powerhouse and a dynamic educational resource for students, educators, and the public.
A Decade of Discovery: The 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Marking a significant milestone, the museum presented A Decade of Discovery, an exhibition that ran from 7 May 2025 to 3 May 2026. This retrospective honoured the curiosity that drives scientific exploration, celebrating the museum’s journey from collections dating back to the 1840s to its present-day role in preserving Southeast Asia’s natural heritage. Visitors were invited to step into the past, explore the present, and glimpse the exciting future of biodiversity research and conservation.
Educational Programmes That Bring Science to Life
LKCNHM’s educational offerings demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how to translate rigorous scientific content into engaging experiences for diverse audiences. The museum’s first-ever September school holiday programme, “Dinosaurs, Extinctions, Fossils,” welcomed 130 participants across seven sessions in 2025. Each two-and-a-half-hour session began with a 28-minute immersive planetarium experience titled “DINOSAURS: A Story of Survival,” transporting participants back to the prehistoric world before a guided gallery tour explored the history of palaeontology and the adaptations of iconic dinosaur specimens.
The hands-on component, “Beyond the Bones,” allowed participants to examine skeleton specimens up close while learning about paleoart—the artistic reconstruction of prehistoric life. Participants then attempted their own Deinonychus illustrations based on anatomical models, bridging scientific observation with creative expression.
For younger audiences, the “Museum Magic” gallery tour draws inspiration from the museum’s children’s book, uncovering fun facts about Singapore’s wildlife and explaining why organisms of all sizes matter in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Research-Led Learning at University Level
As an academic unit within NUS’s Faculty of Science, LKCNHM conducts undergraduate and postgraduate courses in natural history and biodiversity studies. The museum’s university modules leverage its extensive research collections, offering students direct access to specimens and data that inform cutting-edge scientific inquiry. This integration of research and education creates a unique learning ecosystem where museum visitors at all levels—from preschoolers to PhD candidates—engage with authentic scientific practice.
The museum has also partnered with Hitachi on the Inspire STEM Education Outreach Programme, which includes learning sessions on biomimetics and public programmes such as “Secrets of Extraordinary Microworlds,” demonstrating how corporate partnerships can extend educational reach beyond museum walls.
Visitor Information
LKCNHM operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. The museum is located on the NUS campus at 2 Estate Office Drive, Singapore. Tickets are priced at S$18 for local adults and S$27 for tourist adults, with children and students receiving discounted rates. The museum is closed on Mondays and on 30 July 2026 due to a private event.
