DOST exhibit shows learning science and environment can be fun

There are fun ways to help kids appreciate science and understand the environment. Check out the exhibit sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) at the SCIENCE CENTRUM, in shoe country Marikina.

BATTLE OF THE BULBS.  A curator shares tips in choosing bulbs with a visitor. The exhibit demonstrate the advantages of  Incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs in terms of brightness, life span, electric consumption, and amount of heat generated. For those wanted the bulb with the brightest light, longest life span and least power consumption, the LED bulb is highly recommended.

Turn the knobs to see what new products can be made from steel cans, plastic containers and paper.

RECYCLING. Yes, there are materials in the garbage that can actually be processed back into their original, raw form and used in making the same material or other products.

E-WASTE. Recycling electronic wastes are best left to the pros because backyard recyclers are exposed to health risks when they extract valuable materials from electronic devices. People with these kinds of burden can still make money because there are companies that  are willing to pay for old computer units and other devices.

BIOGAS. Biodegradable wastes produce methane gas that can be used as fuel for the kitchen stove. A digester tank, filled with biodegradable wastes, will produce bubbles on the other tank filled with water. Methane, produced by microorganisms breaking down the wastes, causes the bubbling. Some countries are getting their Methane directly from the dumps. 

TRASH TIMELINE. Garbage in your trash crash do not decompose at the same time, some may not decompose at all. Newspapers decompose within a year while plywood in eight years. Tin cans need more than 50 years while glass bottles and styrofoams may not decompose at all (undetermined). But styrofoams can be reprocessed into construction materials that are tough and solid as rocks and marbles.

DUAL FLUSH TOILET. Water-less or water-free toilet bowls are now common in malls. But the Dual Flush Toilet, a bit traditional, will show how much water are used in flushing wastes. Push  half of the button for liquid waste and the full button for solid waste. Three liters of water are needed to flush down liquid wastes and six liters for the solid ones.  

SURFACE RUN-OFF. The mountain on the left has no vegetation while the one on the right has plenty.  Pressing the button in front releases the "rain". A run-off cascades from the barren mountain and flooding the valley. Lowlands at the foot of bare mountains get easily flooded during a heavy rainfall compared with lowlands at the foot of mountains full of trees and vegetation. It is because water is absorbed by the trees and vegetation, preventing floods and other risks.

MERALCO has a machine that computes how much electricity a certain household device consumes. This machine, on the other hand, shows how much water is used in some activities and how can be saved by trying other alternatives. For example, car washing using a garden hose makes you spend 122 liters of water but when you use a pail, you only spend 35 liters. Bathing under a shower uses up to 148 liters of water but using a tabo (dipper) to pour water (from a pail) is much more economical at 30 liters.

The Science Centrum, located at Marikina's Riverbanks Center,  is open Mondays to Saturdays, 8 am to 5 pm.   (S&T Media Service)