The fun way to learn science

MANILA, Philippines - Since its launch in May, the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center has become a regular venue for schoolchildren and their families to learn about the wonder of Science in a fun and experiential way.

The center is a partnership between Nestle Philippines, Inc.’s (NPI) Nido Fortified and SM Mall’s Science Discovery Center and is part of the Science learning advocacy. The objective is to help improve Science competency in the country by letting students and families experience for themselves that learning Science can be fun.

“The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center provides a stimulating environment wherein children can freely explore different Science concepts. It is also a good place for kids to bond with their moms as they learn more about the world around them,” says Susana Aquino, consumer marketing manager of Nido Fortified.

Nestled in the center’s ground level is the DigiStar Planetarium, a theater-like venue that can seat up to 160 people. The 360-degree dome-like structure is a sight to behold from inside and out. Its façade looks like a giant space center, while inside kids will delight in watching the short films being featured in its big screen.

Technology is likewise at work in Media City, one of the four galleries that can also be found in the ground level. One of its main features is Gesturetrek, wherein players can interact and move around various virtual environments using simple body movements.

Over at the Grossology station, kids and kids at heart will have a fun and educational time learning how the various systems of the body work. Here, they can touch mock body parts and learn where they are located inside the body, play a game that tests their knowledge about the different bodily functions, and even produce their loudest-sounding barfs.

Then there’s the Transportation Station wherein kids are given the free hand to design and build their very own virtual cars and land planes through flight stimulators. Informative videos and models of various vehicles, meanwhile, educate kids on the history of transportation.

The first level also houses the new Gavitram machine, a showcase of artistic engineering that shows gravity at work.

Over at the second level, robots and tall buildings, among others, await kids. Here, graphic panels and replicas of some of the most popular robots in history and film are showcased. Scale models of the world’s tallest buildings may also be found here.

Earth Science, on the other hand, is showcased in the earthquake stimulation room and the virtual reef where Mr. T, the talking fish, answers queries about life underwater.

The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is located at the south side of the mall’s Entertainment Building, and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.