For all the Science enthusiasts and closet geeks (like someone I know), there's one place you shouldn't dare miss if you're in the Mall of Asia.
The
Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center (NFSDC) is the first Technology-Based, Highly Interactive Science Learning theme park in the country, housed in a 3000 square meter, two-level facility in the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The center houses nine walk-through galleries, many of which contain interactive stations that enhance visitor experience.
Media City is one of the four galleries that can be found on the first level. It features the Gesturetek, where players can interact with and move around various 3D virtual environments using simple body movements.
Then there's the popular Grossology station, where kids can learn about the ways and quirks of the human body. Here they'll enjoy the hands-on experience of "operating" on a mock human body in the Patients Please section, minus the blood.
Interactive fun at the NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center continues at the Transportation Nation. You can build your very own virtual car at its kiosks, or try landing a plane in its flight simulators. Graphic panels also display video presentations of the history of various modes of transportation.
Kids love robots, and the Robots Inc Gallery showcases the best of these technological wonders. Graphic panels and replicas of some of the most famous robots in history are on display here. Kids also get to play with the remote-controlled "slambots" at the Robo-test section.
Right next to the robots is the City Science Gallery. Scale models of the world's tallest building line up its big walls. It also features an earthquake simulation room, where visitors will get to experience how the ground shakes in the middle of an earthquake.
The Webcam Wall section at the end of the City Science Gallery has several screens of video presentations on the world’s major cities.
The upper level also houses the Virtual Reef. Guests walk through an artificial coral reef that mimics the scenes of life underwater. Towards the end of the gallery, they'll meet the talking virtual fish, Mr. T, who's ready to take on your questions about life in the sea.
The main attraction of the NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center is the DigiStar Planetarium. Short films are shown on its 360-degree dome, the most advanced of its kind in the country. The DigiStar Planetarium can seat 160 people inside its theater-like
dome.
Finally, there's the latest addition to the NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center: the Gravitram. The exhibit is a nice example of artistic engineering where gravity meets human design.
As my Science teacher would say back in grade school, "Science can be fun!"
