Philippine Science Centrum brings ‘traveling museum’ to isolated areas

The Philippine Science Centrum has brought its “traveling museums” to geographically isolated depressed areas across the country.

According to Manal Sugadol’s Tuesday report on “Stand for Truth,” the project was launched to cater to those who cannot afford to visit science museums, many of which are in Luzon.

“The foundation decided to come up with a mobile component, which is the traveling exhibits. So we go from one place to another to serve the public in the regions in the different parts of the country,” Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology Executive Director May Pagsinohin said.

Each of the 30 to 40 boxes, called “Science on the Move,” contains mini versions of the interactive exhibits that can be found at the Philippine Science Centrum in Marikina City.

Each box teaches various general science and mathematics concepts and also offers a hands-on experience to learners.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the boxes were already delivered to 18 municipalities in six regions nationwide.

Over 200,000 teachers and students reside in these areas.

“Nakakatulong [ito] sa mga bata. ‘Yung iba, wala sa classroom but they have the Science Centrum as their temporary classroom,” Pagsinohan said.

“It was found out also that yung trauma ng mga bata, nao-overcome nila when they are inside the exhibit. Nakakalimutan ‘yung problema sa school, sa paligid nila and so we thought that it is a good contribution sa part ng foundation and a good thing it was also recognized by the international body,” she added.

Only 11 science museums are recognized as members of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ subcommittee on science and technology museums in the Philippines, four of which are government-run. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News