Coming up: The Mind Museum

By: Guia Trinidad
June 3, 2010, 12:14pm

Nobel laureate Robert Solow showed in his research how a deficiency in the level of science and technology directly affects the level of a country’s economic growth.

With this in mind, the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc. (BAFI), with the support of Ayala Land, Inc. and Campos Group of Companies, has endeavored to build the Mind Museum – the first world-class science museum in the Philippines.

To be completed in 2011, the R1 billion-Mind Museum will be built on a donated super prime 12,000 square meter site at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. It will feature over 250 interactive exhibits in five galleries to be called Atom, Earth, Life, Universe, and Technology.

Manuel Blas II, managing director of the Mind Museum, underscored the importance of a world-class science museum to the country and to its young citizens. “A science museum is an essential tool for our nation to address the significant gap in its math and science education,” Blas said.

Its proponents are also proud of the planned outdoor area called Science-in-the-Park. With international partners and consultants such as National Geographic and the Singapore Science Center, the Mind Museum is envisioned to be truly a world-class project.

RAISING A BILLION PESOS

Through the help of 31 companies and families, BAFI has already raised 88 percent of its P1 billion target budget to build the Mind Museum.

To acquire the remaining 12 percent, BAFI has decided to open the line to all Filipinos who want to take part in making the world-class science museum a reality simply by incorporating the wonders of technology and online donating facility.

Last weekend, the Mind Museum launched its online fundraising campaign called Light a Star at the Mind Museum through its website www.themindmuseum.org. “Light a Star at the Night Museum” is a virtual exhibit where individuals are invited to donate a minimum of P1,000 for a star and P5,000 for a constellation.

The people behind Mind Museum thought of this devise since they want combined efforts from all Filipinos considering the fact that Filipinos will be the ones who will benefit from this science museum.

INFLATABLE PLANETARIUM

To give the people a sneak peek, the Mind Museum together with JP Morgan Chase and Co., have brought the “Roving Space Shell’’ to Market! Market! to share with everyone the awesomeness of our solar system.

Alex Limcoco, head of the online fundraising of Mind Museum, explained that the Space Shell, an 8 x 15 meter inflatable planetarium that comfortably sits 50 people from Cosmodome Australia, will definitely make the planetarium experience more intimate and accessible to Filipinos who are keen on cultivating their own sense of wonder about the universe.

The exterior of the Roving Space Shell which was opened to the public during the Mind Museum fundraising campaign.
SOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph

The Roving Space Shell inflatable planetarium is still at Market! Market! Activity Center until Saturday, June 5, and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.