THE PHILIPPINES took a step forward in being world-class in terms of scientific exhibits.
The rather eccentric P1-billion Mind Museum, which opened last March 16 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, contains more than 250 interactive exhibits, five thematic galleries, an auditorium, and a laboratory.
Mind Museum curator Maria Isabel Garcia said the exhibit was intended to promote greater “public understanding of science.”
“This museum will let every Filipino enjoy the complexities of science, as it was shown tactically [in the museum],” she said.
Organizers took pains to put "art" into the presentation to make sure that people from "six to 96" could enjoy and marvel at the beauty of science. Garcia said it's something like "art rescuing the sciences."
The Mind Museum, which is said to be the first world-class science museum in the country, has five main galleries that depict science in a different perspective.
First on the list is the “Atom Gallery,” which houses the Atom Centerpiece, an exhibit that contains a three-dimensional visualization of the atom. It shows its practical use in today’s world and the behavior of electrons.
A large chocolate bar called “Everything is Made Up Of Atoms” shows the varied levels of space. It presents the deconstruction of the chocolate to show its component features—from molecules to atoms to quarks.
Adjacent to it is the Life Gallery with its centerpiece, “The Human Brain,” where the parts of the brain can be easily identified. It is one of the largest exhibits inside the museum.
Also in the gallery is the “Small Worlds Within: Cells,” a large model of a cell that uses multimedia presentations as part of its tour, and the “Web of Life,” which illustrates the intricacy of the food chain by presenting diets of different animals. Different food trays are enclosed within the web that shows the relation of predators and preys.
A larger-than-life whale shark or butanding, is suspended at the center of the second gallery.
The Earth Gallery tells the story of the planet and of the Philippine archipelago over time. It features a 12-minute 3D animated film that showcases 4.6 billion years of Earth’s natural history and evolution.
The third gallery also houses a 40-foot fossil-casted T. Rex named Stan—the first T. Rex exhibit in the country derived from Stan Sarcison, who discovered the complete fossil of a male T. Rex in 1987.
The featured “Floating Globe” is a live satellite feed that displays the current state of the Earth replete with accurate topography.
The Universe Gallery houses the “Spaceshell,” a mini planetarium which can accommodate 50 visitors at a time. With an eight-meter diameter, the exhibit uses chairs akin to an astronaut’s seat. It also showcases films that delves about other planets and other matters in the universe.
On the second floor is the product of the four galleries, the Technology Gallery.
Mimo, featured in the said gallery, is the in-house robot programmed to detect obstacles in its path and avoid it.
The “Solar Bugs” exhibit shows how solar panels serve as power sources. The bugs are caged in three see-through vessels where they all move together with a halogen lamp. The lights on the vessel will be activated by sensors, and thus, will turn on and off upon motion detection.
The “Malampaya Project” is a representation of the discovery of the 2.7 trillion cubic tons of natural gas near Palawan. The Malampaya Natural Gas Project constructed a pipeline with 504 kilometers in diameter pipeline from the source to the plant in Batangas.
Other attractions are the “Light Bridge,” which serves as the mezzanine area of the museum and presents the different types of lights that fill the universe, and the “Avenue of Life,” a tunnel that presents the four major habitats of the Earth—temperate regions, polar environments, sunless existence, and deep water of hydro vents.
The Hall of Philippine Science is located at the center of the Mind Museum, which showcases the scientific contributions of Filipino scientists.
Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc., the project proponent, takes pride in the museum's Filipino imprint. Managing director Manny Blas says 90 percent of the mammoth display was crafted by Filipinos.
“Designs are by Filipino artists working with Filipino scientists and engineers to clearly and beautifully flesh out a science fact,” he says. “The faculty and designers of the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines-Diliman and the University of Santo Tomas were engaged to collaborate in the design of the science exhibits.”
The delegation from UST was headed by Industrial Design professor Mark Victor Bautista.
The museum’s design itself is conceived by renowned Filipino architect Ed Calma.
The futurist design is centered on the cellular growth and structures. It also mirrors the functionality of nature, including sustainability. A curved roof for more efficient rain collection, slanted exterior walls to minimize the entry of sunlight, and strategic orientation to utilize the shadows of adjacent buildings characterize the museum.
The museum is supported by international science centers like the Science Center Singapore, which served as its planning consultant.
The exhibition master plan was made by US-based Jack Rouse and Associates—recognized as among the top 10 museum and theme park designers in the world—while the National Geographic Channel is an institutional partner which provides it with footages and stills. REDEN D. MADRID
