Subic opens sci-tech center
03/06/2002

The Subic Bay Freeport stays true to one of its goals of being a research and academic hub by opening a Science and Technology Center which showcases learning booths that explain scientific theories and concepts.

The new center, which was mounted in cooperation with the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology, includes different interactive modules that an observer can use to find out how science concepts make everyday things work.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito C. Payumo said that the Science and Technology Center is part of the SBMA's continuing efforts to make the Freeport a center for academic research and a technology hub of sorts.

"We are trying to make this place an academic center, a place where you can learn and get a hold of the latest innovations in technology. This new exhibit goes true to that policy," Payumo said.

Enjoying a soft opening recently, the center has attracted students from local schools. Many students said their visit to the center was very educational and amusing. This is because of the presentation of concepts which make the learning process more fun and exciting.

"I have learned new things today that I thought was impossible to explain to a child like me plus the booths are fun to play with and observe," said Michael Wong, one of the students who recently visited the center.

Teachers are also lauding the SBMA for the project because of its ability to relay usually hard-to-explain concepts to young minds.

"Sometimes there are theories and concepts that take a lot of time explaining to children, but here we find that the same theories and concepts can be explained with the demonstration of one of their displays. What makes the learning process more fun is the interactivity enjoyed by the children and the teacher," said one of the teachers who accompanied the students to the center.

The center features booths like the Musical Tunnel, which is equipped with photo-sensors that once blocked or walked through, activates a musical tone to be played. This is the usual process used in burglar alarms.

The creation of air pressure allowing airplanes to fly is explained through the Bernoulli Blower, which allows a ball to levitate in mid-air because of a strong air pressure. The ball appears to be floating in air.

Another interesting booth is the Plasma Sphere. This is the usual crystal ball with electronic charges that you would usually see on TV. The Plasma Sphere explains the presence of the fourth state of matter, which is called Plasma.

The center also showcases a wide array of optical illusions that are spread all over the facility giving visitors different images that play with the sense of vision.

All of these exhibits and more can be seen at the Subic Bay Science and Technology Center. The center is open everyday.