Of Magic & Chemistry

Towards the end of year 2013, we are celebrating the wonders of science and this time it's having fun with chemistry! The theme is called 'Of Magic & Chemistry'. In conjunction with this theme, we are also giving out a 2-in-1 colourful periodic table and 2014 table calendar to visitors.             

There are many activities listed for visitors to try. Did you know that forensic scientists study how ink breaks down into separate colours in order to solve crimes? We call this chromatography. You can give it a try at Petrosains!

In the ‘Zesty Candle’ activity at Petrosains, you can make your own homemade candle. You need half an orange with the insides scooped out and some olive oil! Orange skin contains a flammable oil with a compound called limonene. Limonene gives oranges and other citrus fruits their distinctive smell! The Zesty Candle made from the orange skin and olive oil produces a fresh citrus scent but with all flammable items, so great care must be taken. 

Our fun science demonstrations on chemistry stimulates you to discover how ordinary works of science can be such an exciting and unforgettable experience! The picture below shows our science communicator performing a science show about ‘Combustion’. Basically he is explaining the three elements that is needed to ignite and sustain a fire, which are fuel, heat and oxygen. 

Hope this will change the mindset that we can only learn and do chemistry in a lab. In actual fact we are free to discover chemical reactions at home using everyday materials. But kids, make sure you have parental guidance if dealing with fire! Or else..






Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Looking Back at 'Our Earth Our Home'!

Our first thematic program for 2013 was 'Our Earth Our Home' which was held from January until March 2013. The theme was celebrating science activities delivering a message to keepsafe our environment. It was celebrated in our main centre, Petrosains KLCC and also in our mini satellite centers in Playsmart Johor Bahru, Playsmart Kuantan and Playsmart Kota Kinabalu. All activities done by Petrosains for 'Our Earth Our Home' was aimed to create awareness among us on the importance of conserving & preserving our environment.

The highlight for this theme was our special iconic tree which was named the 'Pledge Tree'. It was made of recycled cardboard boxes and displayed on our science show stage with environmental messages written by visitors on small, colourful pieces of paper that later became the leaves of the tree. 

Some of the hands-on mini science activities conducted in the centre are as shown in the pictures below:-

Home Sweet Home - Understanding our earth structure by making a model using clay

Throughout the 3 months of having 'Our Earth Our Home' as our theme, we chose one weekend to hold a 'Weekend Special'. Usually during weekend specials, we have extra science activities on top of those held on a daily basis. We also had Aswara Dance Performing Arts Group performing 3 dances with choreography inspired by the animal kingdom! 

Playsmart Kuantan held 'Clean the Beaches' outdoor activity and Playsmart Johor Bahru did a program in Taman Negara Tanjung Piai where they planted mangrove trees and also held a trash collecting competition. 

Playsmart JB celebrating Festival Hijau at Taman Negara, Tanjung Piai

But surely initiatives to save our environment & keep it in pristine conditions should not just happen during those three months. It must be an on-going effort that continues everywhere on Earth. We should remind ourselves that it is our responsibility to take good care of our Earth as it is our only home!

Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Keajaiban Dunia Matematik di Petrosains!

Tema program berasaskan matematik telah dipilih bagi bulan April hingga Jun 2013 dan dikenali sebagai 'Magical Math'. Tema ini diraikan di Petrosains KLCC, Petrosains Dinotrek dan juga di ketiga-tiga  Playsmart kami iaitu Playsmart Johor Bahru, Playsmart Kuantan dan Playsmart Kota Kinabalu.

Pelbagai aktiviti yang telah dijalankan. Di antaranya adalah seperti Binary Games, Match Trick, aktiviti yang berasaskan teori Teorem Pithagoras, tangram dan lain-lain lagi. Selain itu, slot untuk pertujukan sains turut dimuatkan dengan pertunjukan bertemakan matematik seperi 'Mathematica'.

Match Trick

Selain itu, Petrosains juga menganjurkan usaha sama bersama filem 'Monsters University' di mana para pengunjung berpeluang menyertai peraduan mengira bilangan monsters yang dipamerkan di dalam sebuah bekas kaca yang diletakkan di lobi Petrosains.

Selari dengan tema matematik ini, Petrosains juga menganjurkan satu pertandingan yang disertai oleh pelajar-pelajar sekolah rendah tahun 4 dan 5 iaitu 'Congak'. Kemeriahan mempelajari Matematik ini turut bertambah dengan Karnival Matematik  yang diadakan di Playsmart. Secara amnya, program ini mengasah kecekapan minda menerusi penggunaan konsep matematik seperti mengira, operasi dalam matematik dan nombor dalam pelbagai soalan berbentuk kuiz. Karnival matematik  mendapat sambutan yang amat menggalakkan kerana peratusan besar daripada pengunjung yang hadir adalah terdiri dari golongan keluarga.

Secara keseluruhannya, keajaiban matematik di Petrosains tentunya mampu  menjadikan mempelajari matematik ini suatu yang mudah dan menyeronokkan!





Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Science Matters!

Do you know that metal slinky can produce sounds like a ‘laser gun’?

Did you know that if you sit on a fully inflated balloon it will likely pop but what if you’re standing on a raft of balloons? 

A regular air-filled balloon will pop when exposed to a flame but in this photo, a science communicator is able to hold a flame under a balloon without it bursting. Is this magic? Of course it isn’t! By simply adding water into the balloon, enough heat can be absorbed and dissipated to ensure that the balloon doesn’t burst. How long do you think the balloon can remain resistant to the flame?

More discoveries were happening at Petrosains from July - September 2013 with our third thematic program called Science Matters! Discoveries That Change The World. It was definitely an interesting affair. The pictures above show the interactive mini science shows that we had in our centre. Seeing seeing someone conduct a simple science experiment live helps us learn and understand science easier.  

The highlight for our 'Weekend Special' event was the sape and guitar performance by Nico, our science communicator. He demonstrated the differences and similarities between the two musical instruments. Besides that, visitors also had a chance to make their own paper helicopters.

Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains