Science Festival 2012 @Pusat Sains Negara (Part 2)

At the Aquarium next to the entrance

 

 

We visited PSN again on the last day of the week long Science Festival for their outdoor activities before they wrapped up the event. We got hands-on experience on how to make magic bubbles and I meant gigantic magic bubbles!

 

Next, we went on for the flying fox activity.  The mommy chickened out but the boy was so excited to play for the very first time!  I am already planning to take him to Extreme Park in Shah Alam during the next school holidays.

 

Here's a video clip of my flying boy! Fly.. fly.. fly.. and away!  He closed his eyes in anxiety when he pushed himself down from the tower! LOL.. 

Wall climbing

 

It was his first time doing wall climbing too and it took him great effort to get to the top.  Bravo Boy! 

 

Paint ball shooting

 

He loved this game so much that he played it twice. 

 

 

Playing with some of the exercising tools found at the park and there's an outdoor swimming pool too!

 

 

We had some ice-cream and drinks before going back indoor.  My boy played moon walking for the 2nd time and had few rounds of ball shooting at the indoor playland before we called it a day.  Both the mother and son had so much fun!

 

 

 

Science Festival 2012 @Pusat Sains Negara (Part 1)

We went for a visit to National Science Centre located in Bukit Kiara, KL recently.  This is an event that we'll never want to miss every year end.  Admission was free in conjunction with Science Festival held during that period. 

 

 

 

Walk-in Lab: Demonstration of plant photosynthesis & respiration 

 

BTB (Brom thymol blue) solution is used as an indicator for the presence of carbon dioxide in this demo. Blow lots of carbon dioxide with the straw into the solution and it turns green, blow more co2 and it turns light yellow.  Put in some algae (plant) into the liquid and expose the container in sunlight.  As photosynthesis (water+sunlight+carbon dioxide+chloroplast(plant)) takes place, the carbon dioxide will be used up, making the solution turn towards blue.

 

 

 

It was a weekday when we were there. We first approached the Nature Secrets Lab and we were the only one there. The staff was so friendly that we were shown the emergence of pupae to larva before they transform into butterflies or moths. 

 

So many to explore..

 

 

Moon walking

 

Walk-in lab: DNA process. The kids learn how to make a DNA structure.

 

Many more to explore

 

Making of foam aircraft

 

 

There was an Ayamas stall but their menu was somewhat limited and we didn't realize there was a swimming pool there after so many visits!

 

We spent almost 4 hours there before we left for our late lunch but still there were lots left unexplored.   I promised the boy for another visit before the science festival ended, this time he got to play flying fox, wall climbing and paint ball shooting for the very first time and and many many more! Stay tuned for Part 2.

Glass Painting Workshop @Pusat Sains Negara

I received a phone call from Cik Kimi of Pusat Sains Negara half an hour before the glass painting workshop started.  She called to remind me of this workshop we had signed up earlier.  Her thoughtfulness and effort was really commendable and I was totally impressed.    

The workshop was held on the top floor of the centre.  We got to choose a glass among glasses printed with different species of dinosaurs.  My boy chose one with T-Rex design and started his project right away.  He was given a brush, a cup of water to wash the brush and glass paints of different colours.

 Work in progress

Some of the kids' finished work and my boy's on the right

He finished his glass painting work in 30 minutes and shortly after, started with DIY keychain. 

How to make DIY keychain:

1. Put the shrinkable inkjet plastic sheet over your chosen picture image and trace the image with a permanent marker pen.

2.  Colour the picture image

3.  Cut out the picture image

4.  Punch a hole into the top of the finished sheet and put into a preheated oven at 200 degrees

5. Powder the oven tray with talcum powder so that it won't stick

6. Watch your dinosaur shrinks in the oven to the desired size

7.  Allow the shrunken picture to cool

8.  Attach it to a key ring and it's done!

Compared to the workshop we attended the day before that required lots of complicated steps and skills, help from mommy was inevitable  This one required less effort and the steps were literally simpler that my boy could finish his task without much problems.  Mommy had most of the time mingling with other parents while the children kept busy with their works.

As we had finished our works, we decided to leave early as the room was getting cramped with more participants coming in.  I didn't know there was another certificate of attendance issued to my boy until Cik Kimi called yet again for my home address so that she could mail it to me. Really paiseh. Hehehe..

My fried meehoon Malay style and my boy's roti telur and dhal.  We both had air limau ais.

While on our way back home, my boy complained of hunger so we dropped by at our nearby mamak restaurant.

Before and and after the haircut

Before heading home, I took my boy for a haircut at the nearby barber shop and guess how much I was charged.  RM10 for a child hair cut!  I remember it was only RM8 not long ago at the same place and there's one within the vicinity that charges RM9 with a lollipop given FOC and it's even cheaper at RM5 only at our old house area.  Looks like RM10 can't really buy much these days, huh..

Juicing The Creativity Workshop @Pusat Sains Negara

We went happily for the workshop yesterday afternoon at Pusat Sains Negara (National Science Centre) with no knowledge that it had ended by noon. :(  This "big head prawn" mommy had mistaken this one for the other one which she had also registered his son and that the class was in the afternoon. Luckily the officer in-charge, Cik Kimi was so helpful that she took down my mobile number and promised to call early this morning should anyone did not turn up and so she did.  They had the second and last session of the same workshop this morning.  Thank you so much, Cik Kimi!

Never mind that we landed there on a wrong date and time, we nevertheless enjoyed our time there doing colouring while waiting for the 2.30pm science show that we missed the other day.  There were two science experiments being carried out on that day. 

1st Experiment: Chemical reaction -- Add in hydrogen peroxide (acid) in a tall cylinder, add a squirt of dish dishwashing liquid, add a tablespoon of potassium iodide (chemical salt) and stand back.  A foam of oxygen bubbles and soap rises quickly up the cylinder and out the top, like toothpaste squirting out of a tube (see below picture)

2nd Experiment:  Freezes a small balloon filled with water in liquid nitrogen (similar to dry ice block but even lower temperature of -196 degrees Fahrenheit) in less than 30 seconds.  Cold=shrink, hot=expand were also demonstrated where an inflated balloon were placed in a box filled with liquid nitrogen, it shrunk but when it was let free in room temperature, it's back to its normal shape in a mere few seconds. Amazing! At least for me and my boy la..

We arrived at the science centre this morning at 9.35am and had two and a half hours creative and fun time with Mr Nakano, a volunteer from JICA (Japan International  Cooperation Agency) who spoke fluent English.  He announced that he was to share with us something that he learned whilst in Jakarta -- The making of a propeller and a kite.  Here it goes...

   

A propeller made out of a bamboo stick, cardboard, plastic bottles and rubber punched from sandals.

A lucky number was found on the plastic propeller.  Must go and try my luck.. Lady luck seems to start shining on me lately *wink* 

The kite was made mainly from straws for its frames, the propeller from plastic bottle cut outs attached with rubber bands through the hole of the straw to provide power to the kite. 

How to fly:

1. Wind the rubber band by twisting the front propeller. 

2. Hold the kite pointed in the direction you want it to fly and slightly upward. 

3. Hold the propeller in place so the rubber band will not unwind. 

4. Release your kite with a light toss and here you go.. wheeee...

Wheeee... mommy, my "threadless" kite can really fly, no more pulling threads. :)

All participants were presented with an attendance certificate and a group photo together before leaving.  Can you spot Ian in the photo?  He's just next to the right of Mr Nakano with only his head visible. :)

We are looking forward to tomorrow's workshop: Glass Painting.  Stay tuned for the updates.

You might be interested to read other related post entries too. Please click on the link below to read.

http://inspiredmomx1.blogspot.com/2010/12/walking-with-dinosaurs-in-dinos-alive.html

http://inspiredmomx1.blogspot.com/2010/12/dinos-alive-pusat-sains-negara.html

Last but not least, wishing everyone here A Happy Winter Solstice!  I am enjoying a bowl of chilled, soft yet bouncy tong yuen now, made by my mom in-law.  It's the yummiest tong yuen I have ever tasted..

My bowl of chilled tong yuen. Yumz!

Dinos Alive! @ Pusat Sains Negara (Part II)

We reached National Science Centre around 11am last Tuesday after having breakfast at McD SS2.  A friendly staff approached us at the counter and explained to me the activities of the day while handing me the flyer.  He further asked if I was interested to register my boy for their free workshops.  I of course said yes and promised to fill up the form before leaving.  As for the entry to the Dino exhibition, family package tickets at RM25 for 2 adults and 2 children are available while for single ticket, it's priced at RM10 for adults and RM5 for children. 

Upon walking into the atrium where two live sized moving but not walking dinosaurs were exhibited, my boy was taken aback by the sound emitted by the "dinasours" and refused to go any nearer for photo taking.  He was so unhappy when I insisted and thus the sour face and forceful smile.  LOL... 

Look at him in the photo.  LOL... The T-Rex was giving out a deafening roar when I snapped this photo.  He later told me it (the roar) almost scared him to death. (hak sei ngor) Wuakaka... 

Some dancing and singing animal figures displayed in front of the kids discovery place

The fossil sand pit was the place where my boy spent the most time there.  Boots are provided but neither of them fit my big baby's feet he ended up barefooted.  I don't recommend the provided boots though as the pair that my son tried on emitted "foot smells".  

"Animals" dancing to the music..

Some species of dinosaurs on exhibit

Yay! mommy.. I overcome the fear (of the eerie sound) of dinosaurs finally.  Look at the victory sign and smile. The Iguanadon (the one to the bottom left) danced to the beat of the music, funny and entertaining indeed. 

We watched a short dinosaur documentary movie before moving on to other activities.

My boy made several attempts to break his own records and his best record registered was

15.86 km/hr, slightly better than a cock. hehehe..

Making of Dino button badge

Conveying belt system, puzzle solving and pushing up

Plasma and balancing act

My boy playing the stringless harp and it produces music even without the string! Stringray and some fishes at the tunnel aquarium

Love the tropical fish and the touch pond.. I didn't realise there was one after so many visits till I saw a crowd and a gentleman gave a demo and encouraged me to do the same.  I felt so "geli" with those fishes nibbling on my fingers.  My boy was scared to try this.  Maybe next time.  He just needs time to overcome his fear of the unknown. :)

It was 2pm when we finally ended our tour.  Not forgetting the workshops, I registered my son for two different sessions before leaving and that simply means we will be there again next Tuesday and Thursday.   I only managed to register the boy for the remaining two available workshops though.

How much we wanted to hang around till the 2.30pm science show but our growling tummy wouldn't allow that.  There were stalls outside the back entrance of the centre selling burgers, oh, no.. not burgers again.. not a burger person myself and furthermore we just had it for breakfast this morning. :)

You might be interested to read other related post entries too.  Please click on the link below to read.
http://inspiredmomx1.blogspot.com/2010/12/walking-with-dinosaurs-in-dinos-alive.html
Jucing Creativity Workshop At Pusat Sains Negara



Walk Through Time In Dinos Alive @ Pusat Sains Negara (Part I)

We went to Pusat Sains Negara (National Science Centre)  for Dino's Alive exhibition  last Tuesday.  The entrance tickets for adults are RM10 each and kids, RM5 each.   It was a fun day out with the kid.   I even registered my boy to two of their workshops, free of charge!  The Eco 3D Creativity workshop where kids get to make toys from used materials with Saki Sasamori were fully booked.  However, I managed to get my boy in for the glass painting workshop and Juicing the creativity workshop which would last for 3 hours each on different weekdays. Yup, all workshops are held on weekdays.

I will update more of our fun day out at the centre when I am done arranging the photos.  Stay tuned.

You might be interested to read other related post entries too.  Please click on the link below to read.

http://inspiredmomx1.blogspot.com/2010/12/dinos-alive-pusat-sains-negara.html
Juicing Creativity Workshop At Pusat Sains Negara

Visit To Pusat Sains Negara

We went for a visit to National Science Center after our early lunch at home during last school holidays.  We reached there 15 minutes before 12 noon and I slowed down my car when approaching the ticketing counter thinking I had to get the entrance tickets but the guard on duty just waved and signalled me to drive on.  Guess entrance fees were exempted during the Ramadhan month.

We proceeded to the information counter to enquire about the activities for the day and one of the friendly staff told me that there would be a rocket launcher experiment starting anytime soon and handed me a flyer of the programme highlights.



The experiment was held at the open area in front of the side entrance.  Both my boy and myself got to experience it hands-on and we had so much fun!  Mommy went first followed by my boy who was so eagerly wanted to try his hands on the experiment too.  We were asked to fill up a pet bottle to a quarter full and fasten it to the hand operated air pump and pump the air into the bottle until it shot up to the sky!  Up.. Up.. and AWAY!!



Rocket Launcher

Sinking Ship

Pedal Power

Random Shots

The Playland

I thought of snapping some photos of the aquarium at the entrance on the way out but the battery of my camera went flat.  We spent a good 3 hours there, not that there was so much to see and explore but we were set to catch the 2.30pm show.  It lasted for only 15 minutes but we enjoyed it totally.



Energy Show

Last but not least, some souvenirs to bring home.. How sweet..



Location Map

Pusat Sains Negara

Pesiaran Bukit Kiara, Bukit Kiara

50662 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2092 1150

Fax: 03-2092 1250

E-mail: psn@psn.gov.my