DOST officials led by Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. (center) along with NAGA officials during the dedication of the revitalized Bicol Science and Technology Centrum.
(Naga City) – The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Local Government Unit (LGU) – NAGA – officially reopened the Bicol Science and Technology Centrum (BSTC) on March 16, 2023, following a revitalization and improvement project that began in April 2021.
With a budget of PhP6.9 million, the BSTC is now poised to re-engage with the local audience, particularly children, teachers and even researchers and innovators, who can experience science by visiting the center.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. reminded the public that such facilities are also the best means of promoting science literacy and appreciation, especially among younger students. “Since the creation of the BSTC in 1995, the Bicol region has benefited from the services it provides. When it reopened this year, we wanted to capitalize on it by using the science in this area in line with the inclusive, innovative and integrated approaches we were striving for the department,” shared the secretary.
Mayor Nelson S. Legacion of Naga also expressed his excitement at the opening of the center. “BSTC has always been a sight to look forward to as part of cultural tourism in Bicol,” he said. “With the introduction, we wanted to encourage young people in the region to pursue a career as researchers and scientists.”
The revitalized and enhanced BSTC will now host 50 interactive exhibitions in five galleries, including the following:
- Gallery 1: Wonders of Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, and Robotics The gallery housed the technological advances made possible in robotics by electricity, magnetism, and robotics. Exhibits include: a robot exhibit, a plasma ball, a buzzer wire, a drone exhibit, a Van de Graff floating ball exhibit, an interactive screen, virtual reality, interactive gears, two-player reaction time, and a motion-detection screen.
- Gallery 2: Mysteries of the Universe Explained: The Solar System and Space Exploration In this section, visitors can see the planet’s placement in the solar system and beyond as mankind continues to explore the universe. The exhibits include everything about planets, traveler distance reading, constellation light tracking, weight on other planets, astronaut cutouts, astronaut depictions and the human gyroscope exhibit.
- Gallery 3: What Lies Beneath: Uncovering the Mystery of the Earth Featured exhibits include the Volcano Cross Section Exhibition, Sound Domes and Interactive Exhibition, Coal Mining, Sand Exhibition, Rock Exhibition, Interactive Screen, Facts About Volcanoes, Stalactites and Stalagmites.
- Gallery 4: Underwater Wonderland: Useful yet threatened aquatic ecosystems The gallery consists of the following exhibits: an interactive submarine, interactive fish, marine life, rotating ecosystem panels, coral exhibits, a whale shark, a tsunami wave pool, and a marine pollution mural, a jellyfish -Exhibit, an octopus exhibit, a turtle exhibit, a whirlpool exhibit, scuba equipment 1 and 2, water reaction and an earthquake simulator.
- Gallery 5: Emergence of the terrestrial ecosystem: Discover Mother Nature. Exhibits include an artificial tree or raffle replica, a nature texture exhibit, a windmill exhibit, a sand-filled area, farming implements, the Mt Mayon lens wall and Mt Isarog. a barnyard exhibition and creepy crawlies.
dr Enrico C. Paringit, executive director of DOST-PCIEERD (the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Research and Development in New Technologies), which oversees the project, added that it is beneficial to have regional influences in our museums. “In the case of the BSTC of DOST Region V, these are clearly recognizable by the attractive features of the galleries. “If there are better examples, they can see that they are biological in their field, especially for children because it’s easy to appreciate and understand science.” This fantastic feature is provided by the center.”
DOST-V Regional Director Rommel R. Serrano also expressed gratitude that the center is finally about to experience a renaissance since it closed in 2016 and is expected to attract twice the number of visitors compared to previous years. “We expect a very positive response from our students, teachers and the local community, particularly the people of Naga who have observed the impact on students’ appreciation of science over time. With the center, we wanted to inspire not only the city but also the surrounding areas to set up their own science centers.”
The center is open to the public. Group tours and visits are welcome Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. For more information call 0919-914-8858 or email bstc@naga.gov.ph. or visit the Naga website at www.naga.gov.ph.
For inquiries and clarifications, please contact Ms. Allane M. Orendez, Media Relations Officer, at (927) 752-7314, pcieerdmedia@gmail.com or allane.orendez@pcieerd.dost.gov.ph.
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