Science festival features S&T wonders

When was the last time you wondered in awe at how things happen? If you haven’t done so in a long time, then this is your chance to rediscover science. On July 28 to 30, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Baker Hall will be transformed into an interactive science discovery exhibit called Wonderama. This sort of mini-museum will showcase various research inventions and products of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation Inc. (LBSCFI) in a fun and highly interactive way. Wonderama was coined from the words “wonder" and “diorama." It is an interactive science learning exhibit being organized by UPLB. It showcases three components, namely, basic science principles, science appreciation, and application of science and technology. The basic science component will showcase 26 interactive exhibits on basic science principles. Among these are blue tooth controlled mobot, insect robot, traffic light controller, types of telescopes, space-time curvature, planets and constellations, magic blue bottle, Bioluminescence, DNA extraction, and the mysterious quantum science. The science appreciation component will feature science and technology experiments that were conducted by selected high school students in the Philippines. These research experiments have received both local and national recognitions. They are intended to encourage students to take an interest in science. The science application component will also present interactive exhibits and those that address issues on climate change, food and agricultural production, energy, and the environment. The Wonderama science discovery exhibit is part of the SyenSaya 2011, the Los Baños Science Festival. The latter is held in line with annual celebration of the National Science and Technology Week. SyenSaya is the first science festival in the Philippines. Themed, “Nasa Syensya ang Pag-asa," this year’s celebration aims to transform Los Baños into a premier science tourism and education through the LBSCFI and to bring science and technology closer to the hearts of the community folks. Besides the Wonderama, SyenSaya will hold three more events from July 28 to 29, namely, the LBSCFI-NSTW R&D Symposium, Techno Forum, and the launching of the S&T based educational tour. The opening program of the SyenSaya will be held on July 28 at 8 a.m., at the Baker Hall, UPLB.