Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center (NFSDC) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) presented Nuclear Awareness Exhibit on June 10, 2011 at the Science Discovery Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
The viewing of the exhibit was led by Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa, PNRI Director after the ribbon cutting and the welcome address of Arturo C. Carballo, Jr., Senior Operation Manager of NFSDC.
In the exhibit were the instruments to measure the radiation level of an affected area, robotic games and human size robot figures of some super heroes.
Radiation technology on honey was also presented to kill the bacteria present, a measure to disinfect honey.
PNRI Agricultural researchers are using radiation technology in their mutation breeding studies to develop new and improved varieties of crops like foliage ornamentals, as shown in their plants samples of kamuning.
In kamuning (Murraya paniculata), the use of gamma radiation has resulted in the development of dwarf kamuning mutant. The dwarf mutant is suitable as potted plant that looks like bonsai.
The mediamen were given this kind of plant including the care to be given to this plant that just like all plants cared for need sunlight, water and fertilizer.
Other ornamental plants radiated produce white linings or patches on the leaves that make a new variety from the original green ones.
In this science center one could experience the earthquake simulator and the shadow wall. One could also see the life clock, sputnik, spaceship earth, virtual reef, grossology, transportation nation, city science, smart media city and BDO exhibit.
But the most that delighted all those present in the launching was the presentations viewed in the Planetarium. The Planetarium, the country’s biggest and most advanced digital planetarium is like a spaceship.
There, one can take a journey to the stars. It has 158 seats and a massive 15 meter 360-degrees dome screen. It has made thousands of journeys to and from space.
There in the Planetarium, as one travels to and from space, he learns about astronauts, rockets, and travel to wondrous places in the universe without leaving his seat and feels that he is there actually in the scene moving with them all. Estrella Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila
