Nido fortified science discovery center: Getting kids into science the fun and exciting way

MANILA, Philippines – Nido Fortified formally unveiled the flagship center of its science learning advocacy, the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, at the SM Mall of Asia recently.

Nestlé executives led by Nandu Nandkishore, president and CEO of Nestle Philippines Inc., was joined by Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Annie Garcia, president of SM Shopping Center Management Corp., and Herbert Sy, president of Super Value Inc., in unveiling the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center.

“We are very happy to launch the NIDO Fortified Science Discovery Center to provide families with a more enjoyable and interactive way of learning science. This is the perfect venue for children to understand and appreciate science concepts through discovery, exploration, and interaction,” Nandkishore said.

“SM Prime Holdings is pleased to partner with Nido Fortified on our Science Discovery Center project which we started in 2007. Improving science aptitude in our country is a huge task and we do need all the help and support we can get. We are thus gratified and commend Nido Fortified for taking on the challenge along with us,” Hans Sy said.

The grand launch was attended by no less than representatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), namely Deputy Director Raul Sabularse of the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research Development, Director Ysabel Dario of the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), Assistant Secretary Engr. Maria Lourdes Orijola of the DOST-Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Merlita Opena of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)-DOST, as well as the Food Nutrition Research Institute director, Dr. Mario Capanzana, and the grand winner of the 2002 Intel ISEF Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr. Josette Biyo.

The event also saw celebrity guests and their children along with teachers and students touring the facility and participating in the experiments performed by the scientists from MAD Science.

The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center houses nine walk-through galleries that feature different science concepts.

Many of the galleries of this 3,000-square-meter interactive science discovery facility contain interactive stations that stimulate the interests of children in science.

The Digistar Planetarium, for instance, allows students to watch and understand the science behind stars, planets and other celestial objects.  

The LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Center teaches students how to build and program robots, while Virtual Reef educates them on the country’s coral reefs.

The other galleries in the facility are Life Clock, ImagePort, SMART Media City, Transportation Nation, Grossology, Spaceship Earth, City Science, and Robot Inc.

“The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is a great place for parents and children to bond and learn science together. Even adults can have fun here,” Nandkishore said.