Saturday, November 27, 2010
Grand Fiesta Manila 2010: The Resorts World Grand Launch
Discover the beauty and grandeur of KAOS
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Discovery: A child's first step
For every child, they think their parents know all the answers to their questions. Why does she have to sleep and wake up early? How do you prepare breakfast? Why do leaves fall from the trees? Their inquiries go on.
Learning through observation is the first step in discovery. “There’s science behind everything we see and do” said Multi-awarded educator Dr. Josette Talamera Biyo
Take the kids to your garden and observe the ants walk in line following a leader on a trail. Where are the ants going? See the worm, when it burrows underground, how come they make it easier for roots of plants and trees to dig deeper into the soil for water?
You can introduce science concepts indoors and outdoors, the challenge is how you’d be able to encourage your child observe the surroundings; these new information connects to her knowledge and enriches her understanding. As you prepare their meal, narrate as you demonstrate how you fry an egg, mix flour and its other ingredients for pancakes; teach them how to pour milk in a glass and define what is half-filled to a full glass, what adding ice cubes can do to warm milk. Through experiential learning, they grasp answers on how things are made of.
Kids are amazed by all these little things made together with their parents.
In doing chores, sit down with your child and enlist what needs to be done. As you two move along, the way she observe how you do it, how it must be done, the process on having hands-on learning enhances your child on the art of efficiency.
What can you do to pieces of old rag quilts and cloths? A little project together, transform what seems to be pieces of trash into useful containers, bag or bed comforters; the process of gathering materials, cutting each piece according to the desired pattern (shapes), stitching to sewing, and learning techniques binds you and your child to a joint effort creating a by-product. What a way to teach your child to recycle items at home, too!
All kids need the knowledge and skills that make up what we call “science literacy” – the ability to make sense of the world around them. Parents who can see the world through her child’s eyes make a great companion in discovering. Share the enthusiasm when your child finds something fascinating, even if it’s a piece of twig.
By helping kids learn how to observe, collect evidence, and draw conclusions, science helps your child sharpen their thinking about the ideas and events they encounter in everyday life. Having to understand how it’s a part of our daily lives can give children a great foundation.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you’re probably enjoying the benefits that result from a scientist’s work, which includes what you and your child experience every day. Possibilities are endless!
Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center

Get those wondering and wandering eyes ready for an educational tour around the scientific world of nature and technology. Buckle your seatbelt as you travel to outer space while staying indoors; see other planets and galaxies in
a 15-meter dome Planetarium. Be dazzled in a full interactive, real-time 3D planetarium with all dome video playback, complete with star field and astronomical capabilities; your jaw would drop as the digital surround sound for total visual pleasure would immerse you in the images and sounds that defines learning fun in a different level.
Located at the Southside Entertainment hall of SM Mall of Asia you’ll be able to find NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center waiting to be explored. A modern oval reception and the Digital Planetarium welcome you right in the middle of the center, for a ticket price of Php 330 you’re about to experience a one of a kind theme park you’d want to visit over and over again.
“Be Sure to allot chunks of time once you’re [at NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center] there” says 27 years-old walk-in visitor.
Wandering starts upon seeing parents and children taking huge leaps of steps with thug on the Bug Rug, the 3D Snibbe interactive “Madagascar Forest floor” where crawling crickets, lady bugs and insects must be stepped on meanwhile a small LCD Screen is flashing about Entomology.
Types and milestones in photography development, historical facts about cameras used from all these years and trivial facts posted on the walls are found at the Image Port together with the Creative Park exhibit booths which consists of 3D paper art displays.
Beside is the family tied Smart Media Center where Gesture Trek is found; be astounded by groups of families hanging on to this area swaying their hands and exerting their entire body movement detected by a green wall as they play drums, feel the beach volleyball or guarding the goal during a football game.
Numerous LCD Screens and keyboards are interactively filled with educating videos and games such as Spongebob Diner Dash and hanging trivia which parents can share their children and children can tell their parents about: Did you know that Wall-E means “Waste Allcoation Loaded Life after Earth Class? And Miley Cyrus’ nickname was baptized from her dad because she loves to smile when she was still a baby?
Frank Hilario, Educator and writer says “The [NIDO FORTIFIED] Science Discovery Center challenges the child we have, and the child in all of us. “
A little further, be caught stunned at the 106 years old vintage car 1904 Rochard Brasier Roadstar which was used by our late President Manuel L Quezon parked at the Transportation Nation, have the “License to Fly” at the Flight Simulator using two (2) control sticks and get to tour inside the engines that will run “tomorrow’s vehicles” aiming an emphasized eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel.
At the Grossology Gallery, learning about the human body is being showcased in a thoroughly fun and wacky interactive display. The Burp station, Barf Barf game and the Urine test to name a few plus other sensory activities showcased.
On the second floor, dive into a digital tour of the Philippine Coral reefs in a virtual reef. Have a conversation with Mr. T the virtual fish friend who has stories to share about his marine adventures and will motivate you to take part in saving our seas.
“Every time we go there, my son never tires of checking out the exhibits and playing in several of his favorite galleries. Bring the whole family and enjoy a one-of-a-kind-experience. I’d bet your kids would ask to come back there again and again as my own kids do “ says Ruth Manimtim- Floresca, Freelance writer
Get even more excited as you pose and have your photo taken inside a life-size displays of famous TV and movie characters like the Terminator, r2d2, and Astroboy at the Robot Hall of fame; stand on a metal platform that imitates a real earthquake at the Earthquake Simulators and send email messages with your photo four years into the future using a touch computer screen at the Time capsule and get to play at the coolest kind of RC game where four people can take control of each robot of a big square glass case at the Robot Tanks.
“Personally suggest you finish all the exhibits before you go for the most captivating part of the entire educational adventure and wear a jacket” says Butch, father of 4 children.
The 160 seat, 180 degrees, 15 meter 3d/4D Digistar planetarium which is considered to be one of the best in the Southeast Asia screens 4 kinds of documentaries 30-40 minutes each day. Unknowingly you’ll be caught with your flitting eyes as each visual swerve around the dome. Something you wouldn’t want to miss, something which would make you and your family want for more. You can enjoy Stars of Pharaohs, Dark Star, Wonders of the Ancient World, Seven Wonders, and Passport to the Universe, Cosmic Collisions more with popcorn!
Treat your child to only the best educational theme park at SM Mall of Asia – NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center. “It’s a different world in there, and it’s all yours for viewing. If nothing else, it does put the fun in learning, and that’s priceless. Take it from a Teacher” added by Frank Hilario, Educator and Writer.
The NIDO Fortified Science Discovery Center is a member of the Association of Science Technology Centers Incorporated (ASTC), the international association of science center and museums that promotes understanding and appreciation of science. Founded in 1973, ASTC now has more than 540 members in 40 countries.
For more information about NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center and ticket reservations, call 556 2153 or for group bookings inquiries please call 556 -0331.
Experiential Learning
Enrolling a child in school is not just about ABC’s and numbers; extra co-curricular activities such as art classes, workshops and sports are beneficial to a child’s development giving them the active and involving process of explorations – just like play.
In a classroom setup, kids experience memorizing facts, learn techniques to solve problems, spoon fed trying to understand class lectures, assignments and tasks to get answers and test problems without ever being exposed to the big ideas why.
“Children investigate everyday phenomena and discover new things in contrast to information handed down by teachers in a traditional classroom. Young children need a lot of action, not a lot of facts” said Child Psychologist Professor Dr. Lillian Leynes –Juadiong, Ph.d of the Department of Family Life and Child Development of the University of the Philippines College of Home Economics
Parents’ role is to present the opportunities that model their child’s attitudes- curious, questioning and willing to explore and solve problems. For a child, learning how to find answers is considered more important than the answers themselves, the investigation process gives children a joyful risk-taking approach to learning.
Experiential learning is letting children do things by themselves, unlike conventional training – learning through textbooks; it gives them the chance to reflect on their intellectual, emotional and physical involvement which develops personal insights and understanding. Children may start with any of the five senses: taste, touch, smell, sight and sounds.
Science is about the big ideas, the experience on discovering and knowing hands-on. “Scientific inquiry opportunities occur in planned or spontaneous activities, we can guide children’s’ curiosity and help turn a pleasant experience into one that has a deeper learning potential” Dr. Juadiong,Ph.D added.
When parents allow kids to hear about how a flower blooms, describing the colors surrounding them and the origin of how things are made, the craft and the origin of consciousness becomes so exciting. And that’s often not what they feel after each class.
As the cliché goes – Experience is the best teacher. The restless and self-questioning scientific mode of thought is a virtue.
When children get excited about what’s surrounding them, they realize they’ve got the power to think, digest and skeleton pair what they found out. They’ve gain to gauge that they’ve got the power to criticize, to ask questions, to not simply accept that it’s beyond their purview. It’s not only the ideas and the content, but the mode of thinking that ultimately comes across when they’re exposed to science in the way they get to in activities.
Since children are natural scientists and parents are often the child’s first teacher, let these inexpensive experiential activities get your Child exploring.
You may find activities through this helpful link: http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/