The National Science Centre Pusat Sains Negara or National Science Centre is a science centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Perched atop a hill on 8 hectares of landscaped grounds at Bukit Kiara on the northwestern fringes of the city, the centre was officially opened on 29 November 1996 by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad. The main aim of the science centre is to promote greater understanding and interest in science and technology. The building resembles a truncated cone capped with a geodesic dome. Among the themes featured in the exhibition galleries are an environmental odyssey, pathways to discovery, future world and thinking machines. In addition, National Science Center also has a new branch in Mount Keriang, Kedah which opened on 1 March 2010.
History of the National Science Centre The concept of the establishment of a National Science Centre (PSN) was conceived in the early 1980s. Council of Scientific Research and Development (NCSRD) has played an important role in their concept of the establishment of a National Science Centre with the objective of which is to create awareness and understanding of science and technology among Malaysians. Given the establishment of a Science Centre with all the requirements is a though that requires research and planning, then proposed the establishment of a temporary Science Center as a preliminary step. For this purpose, a government house at the address JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Federal Hill, Kuala Lumpur has been modified. On 5 April 1986, while the Science Centre was officially opened by YB Datuk Amar Stephen Yong, who doubles as Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment at the time. Since its inception, while the Science Center has added a collection of exhibits, most of which are of a roadshow. Dream to create a building has begun to come true in 1990 when the National Science Centre project has been approved under the Ninth Malaysia-5 to be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan 6. Construction of building and basic infrastructure began in November 1991.
On 27 February 1992, Mr Abdul Ghafar bin Baba (now called "Tun") as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the project officially National Science Centre in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Construction work continued and was completed in November 1993. Aquarium tunnel construction project began in September 1993 and was completed in August 1994. National Science Centre building design built is unique in that resembles a truncated cone capped by a geodesic dome. This design is a testament to the creative and innovative Public Works Department is also the implementation agency. The center is equipped with an Integrated Management System (IBMS) and has a two-level exhibition gallery space with an area of 6,717.6 square meters. In the center, there is a multimedia library, a science lab, three workshops, two auditorium and a multipurpose hall. The area surrounding the National Science Center's educational landscape theme and the main feature is an ecological landscape, herb garden and children's playground. The exhibits are available at the National Science Centre landscape focused on the physical and biological sciences as well as exhibits complement the gallery exhibition. Simultaneously with the construction of the building, an interactive science exhibits were designed by local and foreign experts. Fabrication works for Level 1 exhibits began in August 1994 and was completed in May 1995. Next, fabrication work exhibits Level 2 is starting in October 1995 and was completed in September 1996. To ensure that the exhibits are always in line with the advancement of Science and Technology, the Centre is planning to upgrade the existing exhibits a continuous basis to get the traffic going. After a decade in operation, while the Science Center was officially closed on 15 April 1996. Now, National Science Center has many additional exhibition houses a wide variety of materials for visitors viewing.
How the trip all started On a certain Chemistry lecture a few weeks back, we were greeted with news that there was an upcoming trip to the National Science Centre by Ms. Choong, our Chemistry lecturer. We were all pretty much excited at the prospect of skipping classes for one day to visit the Centre but we were slightly disappointed by the fact that we were going there because most of us perceive the Centre as a place for children to develop their love for science and not for us, college students to learn anything at all. But who cares? It's one day off for a visit to the National Science Centre!!!
Pre-trip preparation Before we could actually go to the Centre, we had to prepare transportation and logistic issues before we could make our visit. Thankfully, our kind Chemistry lecturer Ms. Choong has arranged a large portion of the procedure and only needed us to confirmed our attendance and pay a relatively cheap entry fee of RM5 for the Centre. Transportation was free of charge thanks to the good will of the Principle, Datuk Tan who approved of our trip to the Centre. All we had to do now was to arrange our group mates and be prepared for the trip on the 18th of December 2014. The Day of the Trip
Me and my course mates reached the National Science Centre about 9 a.m. where we were greeted by school children of various primary schools that happen to visit at the same time as us. The National Science Centre is truly a popular spot to encourage young children to build up interest in the field of science. However, to us college students, we were tied down with this mentality that the National Science Centre is a place for young children and not for young adults like us who were about to finish our A-level course in half a year and step forward to university education where competition is ruthless for the sake of our education and to secure a brighter future to improve our quality of life. To us this trip probably more relaxing than mind breaking and wouldn’t affect us in every aspect. How wrong I was to assume so as we reached the entrance and was immediately fascinated by the sight of the touch pool and the beautiful built in aquarium for fishes of all kinds.
Could be my dinner tonight XD
Not only that, straight after the aquariums was where the interest in science really bloomed for most of us. Contraptions and devices that showcased science knowledge discovered by various researchers and scientist in the past were simplified in the way that even primary students could understand (but they were very engrossed in playing with the devices) and absorb this knowledge for their own benefit. Truth to be told, we were also pretty much engrossed in playing with the devices like the primary school kids but we were also curious in how these devices function and so began to try to understand the concept behind those devices.
Showing off his non-existent biceps XD (Pumping water device to sink items on the surface)
A jolly pumper ( That's me alright)
Look! A tornado making device!!!! (Inner childhood explodes)
Posing with the air pressure maze
Who says you can't play games with (air) pressure?(No pun intended)
Working against gravity
For example, there was a fluorescent lamp that would light up when there is contact with a plate of static and produce pattern on the plate. It was a really pretty sight in my opinion.
ZAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!
Posing with liquid balls
The Clone Room
Last but not least, after visiting the exhibition in the main hall, we were directed to enter the Whodunit? Forensic Science exhibition designed by SCITECH. This exhibition is only available for a limited time only and we were lucky enough to visit it before the exhibition ended. The main attraction of this exhibition was to uncover the murderer of Arthur Locke, the security guard in a zoo and also the kidnapping of a baby rhino. Through the power of forensic science which encompasses the three branches of science namely Biology, Chemistry and Physics, we were encouraged to use different techniques in forensic science to uncover the suspects in the case.
Swag Crime File
Pretty legitimate investigation huh?
Through many different techniques used such as ink chromatography in the Take Note station or through ballistic tracing in the Going Ballistic to identify which firearm fired the bullet that pierced through Arthur Locke as well as careful observation with my partners Nigel, Benny, Shiven and Daylon, we managed to uncover the killer and kidnapper of the baby rhino which were Dorothy Grabbit and Martin Dagg and we were rewarded with a token of appreciation which was a really nice pin badge.
Really Nice Pin Badge :-)
The trip in a nutshell ended with a happy note for most of us (except for some of our wallets which was noticeably lighter due to souvenirs and lunch) and we arrived back at college at about 3pm-ish.
Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything. -Muhammad Ali
Once again, I am writing a
reflective essay for the trip to the National Science Centre. I am not too sure
how do I start about so please forgive me if the introduction started off on
the wrong foot. My name is Cheah Kar Keong. I am currently 18 years old and I
am currently enrolled in a course called A-Level in TARUC. I am quite sure I
would have to introduce myself for a reflective essay to start. Otherwise, what
should I reflect about?
First and foremost, I am
quite sure that most people who read this blog would understand the experience
that we went through for the field trip to the National Science Centre. I am
here to process that sort of experience based on my own perception, character
as well as personality. I know this might sound a tad bit complicated so please
bear with me for a moment. In the meantime, I have already observed and analyse
my weakness during this field trip. One of my really severe weak points is
always guessing, assuming and expecting or having expectations towards something
or someone. For instance, I assumed that the trip to the National Science
Centre to be boring and unfulfilling. I was proven wrong as I experienced all
that I went through at the Centre as well as the Whodunit? forensic science
exhibition. I was in fact, very engrossed in trying to find the murderer and
kidnapper that I lost the sense of time for a moment. This clearly proves that my
assumption was misleading me instead of helping me and therefore I shall
classify it as a form of weakness. Not only that, after going through a big
portion of the exhibits and wanting to see the rest, I realised that there wasn’t
enough time left to do so. This particular event has shown that I am a person
with bad time management. If I wanted to, I could have planned my way around
the Centre and make sure to visit the all exhibit before time was up. Time
management is also a problem in my daily life in which I procrastinate to
finish my assignments, tutorials and even my exam studies. I am finally aware
of these weaknesses that have proven detrimental to my life in all aspects. I
finally regain a sense of priority and have awoken from my slumber of ignorance
thanks to this trip.
However, I also realised
that as humans, where there is weakness, there is also strength. I believe that
my perseverance in investigating the exhibit for the Whodunit? forensic science
has strengthen my faith in my perseverance. I lost track of time because I was
concentrating on finding the murderer and kidnapper. Once I am focused on
something, I won’t stop till I find the answer to it. Another strength that I
also have is that I am curious. To me, being curious is important. If you’re
not curious, nothing in life seems interesting. To know how things work and
understand is to be fundamentally human in my opinion. If humans were never
curious in the first place, we wouldn’t have any advancement in terms of
civilization, science and technology. How did I discover that I was curious? I
really wanted to solve the case because my mind was constantly questioning who
the real murderer and kidnapper was. Once the case was solved, I felt relieved
that something was off my mind. My thirst for the answer to the case has been
quenched. My curiosity has also led me to achieve new things such as learning
how to ice skate a few days ago.
Finally, with
reaffirmation, this trip has also reinforced my education and career pathway. I
wish to be enrolled in NTU for courses related to engineering. Although I am
not too sure about my chances heading over to one of the top engineering
universities in the world, I will still try my best so that I will not regret not
trying my best to enter the college of my dreams. After settling on a plan like
this, look like I have no choice but to move forward and improve myself for the
upcoming challenges in life that has yet to come.
As humans, where there is weakness, there is also strength - Cheah Kar Keong, SJ15B
During the trip, I have found out some of my
weaknesses and strength. Nevertheless, I have learnt a lot of things that I
would have never do in class. First of all, I have learnt that organizing a
trip for a huge group of people isn’t that easy as I thought because the
organizers have to overlook every single event of the trip and to make sure
everything is fine. Although some planning did not come out as expected and
maybe some things are not even expected has made the trip a little bit dull and
boring. Next, one of my weaknesses is that I could not catch up as fast as
normal students can do. For example, during the Whodunit which we are required
to solve a murder case of the security guard of the National Park. At first, I
did not even know what is happening there. I walked around the place for almost
5 minutes without knowing what I am doing myself, until my friends started
briefing me about it. I’m truly grateful for them to patiently brief me
throughout the whole case and in the end solved the case together. My strength
is when I get hold of something, I can improvise it perfectly without using
much effort. I’m a slow starter but I can manage to grasp the concept and then
complete certain things efficiently. After that, I am easily amazed by some
unusual things around me. During the exhibition of different devices in the
science center, I literally ran around trying every single device that are
situated there. Science can do us a lot good but it can also backfire us in the
same time. I sincerely hope that everyone could use them wisely to create a
better future.
Science can do us a lot good but it can also backfire us in the same time. I sincerely hope that everyone could use them wisely to create a better future. -Ong Chon Phin, SJ15B
Through out
this trip, I have learnt the importance of critical thinking, problem solving
and observant. These are the essential skills that each and everyone of us must
acquire, in hope that it allows us complete task with ease no matter the
obstacle faced. Critical thinking, problem solving and being observant are
skills that are not taught to us where as it is learn by the individual himself
or herself which can only be improved by experience itself. By going on this
trip, it has provided sufficient information for us to progress with lifes
easier.
Other than
that, scientific technology is vastly expanding, it doesn't matter in what
field such as in biology, chemistry or physics as they are all interconnected
to each other without us knowing though some of the connection are minimal.
Scientific technology is crucial tool in our daily life especially in crime
investigation as we have learnt in this field trip. It gave us a closer look
into the life of a crime investigator just like some of the shows
"CSI", "bones" and "NCIS".
In life, we are contantly
asking question, to obtain information. As knowledge are meant to be shared
among other people and not kept to oneself excluding during exam's. Having said
that, after acquiring valueble information, we must learn how to apply them as
knowing is just not enough in the real world. Moreover, the facts and theories
we learnt in form 1 to form 5 are still being taught in the A-level syallabus.
They are just and extension of what we learnt, it is getting more detailed.
In
conclusion, going on this trip has peaked my interest in chemistry and taught
me how to overcome obstacles as each obstacles has its own method. Every
problem has their solution and each individual has their own way in solving
them.
Every problem has their solution and each individual has their own way in solving them - Nigel Soh, SJ15B
I would like to start my essay with thanking our chemistry lecturer Ms.Choong for organizing this one day field trip with her own efforts. This one day trip to the science centre has brought us a lot of knowledge as well as moral values and a good experience. There is a section on the first floor of the science center allocated just for the Noble prize winners.
Part of the section
The Noble Prize is a set of annual international awards bestowed in a number of categories by Swedish and Norwegian committees in recognition of cultural and/or scientific advances. The will of the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel established the prizes in 1895. The prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace were first awarded in 1901. I think this section has given me the motivation to work harder to achieve something in life instead of just staying alive. I have noticed that most of the student did not show any interest in this section because it was boring. I suggest the national science center should have applications of the discovery from each of the noble prize winners, this way it would be fun and people would actually participate and learn about them and their discovery to the world.
Work harder to achieve something in life instead of just staying alive - Shivenraj, SJ15B
