Science works

CEBU, Philippines - I’m so happy to see lots of kids like me from Pasil Elementary School and Inayawan Elementary School last week at the Cebu City Sports Center for a “scienterrific” visit!

We were all there for the traveling “Science Works!” Exhibit initiated by the Philippine Science Centrum, said to be the first interactive science center-museum in our country. I’m so glad my Nanay introduced me first to the exhibit administrator Sir Neil Santos. He said that there are 40 exhibits for me, and the rest of the kids, to enjoy and appreciate. Sir Santos is also a Science teacher and he has encouraging words for us: Anybody can become a scientist!

After paying P20 (this is student’s rate as adults are to pay P50), I toured around and got so overwhelmed at the load of information available which is very helpful in my Science studies.

You see, most of the exhibits have something to do with engineering which makes me understand some principles and scientific laws better than reading these theories in textbooks.

My Science teacher – Ms. Nonee – told me that everything around me deals with Science. The exhibits support that statement of hers. Science, indeed, works in our everyday lives!

Like the rest of the kids, I enjoyed the Frozen Shadows most! Through this exhibit, the relevance of Science is learned through a fun way. Many of us rushed to a dark room mounted on a stage inside the CCSC gym. Then there was a bright flash from a timer like the clicking of a camera. Afterwards, the shadows of our raised hands and our huddled heads were frozen on one of the walls. Mr. Santos said that the light sensitive phosphor film is responsible for the shadows frozen on a white wall and that this type of film is available in sheets, easily mounted on wall panels.

The exhibit also gave us a literally hair-raising experience through the Van de Graaf Generator. It was named after American physicist Van de Graaf Robert Jenison. The device deals with static electricity and that it has widespread use in medicine, as well as in high-energy physics research.

I also checked on the Solar Power exhibit and tried moving the solar car by focusing light from a lamp directly on the solar panel on top of it. The photovoltaic cells in there use light energy and converts it into electricity so the car moves. Photo means “light” while voltaic means “electricity”.  

I learned solar panels cost much and are expensive to maintain, but with much sunshine in our country, it is such a waste why we have never harnessed the potential as much. The sun is the best source of renewable and green energy, I think.

By the way, the exhibit is still ongoing. It will wrap up on September 30 so you still have enough time to check it out along with your classmates, teachers, friends and family. Exhibit time is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.