Little Scientists @ Petrosains

have you been to petrosains - the science discovery center in suria klcc? the one on the top floor? do you know that with RM12 entrance fee, you can go on a simulator ride, try out endless experiments, see a lot of interesting exhibits and learn many science stuff?

all at our very own petrosains! i didn't know there were SO MANY science stuff, so i was so impressed when i went there recently. i have been to its gift shop many, many times during my student days, but this was the first time i entered the actual center - with a husband and 3 kiddos!

first, we lined up to go on the 'dark ride', or 'perjalanan sekilas masa'. i was a bit confused with the different translation - shouldn't it be 'perjalanan gelap' or better - a 'journey through time'?

anyway, we went on this black color semi egg-shaped pod that can fit about 7 people. however, since we brought along the folded stroller along, we took all the space. so comfortable!

the black 'pod' would be secured, and off we went towards a dark tunnel. here we passed what seemed to represent 'nature', with a booming voice-over in the dark saying how lucky we are to have an abundance of natural resources in our midst.

when we first stopped at the first 'station', i wasn't expecting hundreds more interactive exhibits and experiments.

khaleef immediately made himself at home trying out all sorts of experiments. kahfi was all too glad to be free running around the spacious room.

i'm definitely not a science geek, and i would surprise myself if i remember anything i learnt in high school during science 101, but i really enjoyed the interactive exhibits. i also appreciate how easy they made it sound through the description and brief explanation at each exhibits and experiments.

each exhibit and experiment has a board with explanation that start with 'let's try', 'what to do?' - this is the interactive part. it concludes with 'what's happening' - this is when the science of the exhibit is explained.

khaleef trying out a little driving!

this is a cute interactive bit about how far can you drive with certain amount of fuel. there's a lever that acts as a gear, and a reading will appear, depending on how fast or slow you're driving. cool, eh?

this is a cute corner with clear white background and bright light, where kids can learn how to use their finger to form animal shadows!

here's khaleef trying to be bob the builder! sit on a replica of a an excavator that really moves with a touch of a button! coolness!

you can't see it in the pictures, but there were actually a lot of school kids on a field trip hogging that place. however, it was so nice that when they saw this younger boy khaleef, they quickly gave way and let him play first, eventhough they've been lining up and waiting for their turn.

i saw this happening many, many times throughout our time here. it's so touching to see that our younger generation haven't lost their manners and consideration for others!

there were so many sections, so many science stations - this particular one was on movies - how to make 3d movies, and holograms.

next, we walked through this 'time tunnel' - when dinosaurs roam the earth! here we saw how the earth was billion of years ago. the animals, the soil, the air and the rocks.

funny thing was, we were 'greeted' by this groovy t-rex at the entrance, and he was singing! yeap! he was singing a very catchy tune, introducing himself and his role in the olden earth!

this was one of the coolest stuffs we encountered - 'try some ancient air' - but i was actually reluctant to try it out because there's something creepy about being able to smell air from billions of years ago!

of course this was not some doraemon gadget - it's not REALLY ancient air, but just made to 'smell' like it. want to know how - go to petrosains and find out!

i'm sure to khaleef, this would be one cool stuff to - to be able to 'fly' a jet! there's a steering wheel, the jet moves, and there's even hard wind coming out. awesome!

mr. khairul was very involved. he tried most of the experiments and read with interests most of the exhibits. this particular activity amused him the most!

bagaimana anda menafsir maklumat yang salah? it was a funny one, and got both of us laughing while we try it out!

throw the small bean bag at the bull's eye. you will be able to hit the target. however, take a specially made spectacles and put it over your eyes, and your vision might be compromised. your brain interprets what your eyes see. try throwing the bean bag again, and you'll definitely miss!

ah, this was my favorite part of the science discovery center. a visit to the oil platform. to make it more interesting, we 'went' to the oil platform by a 'helicopter'.

khaleef with the helicopter

it was actually a helicopter flight simulation! i love this kind of rides!

simulator rides are a type of amusement park ride, where the audience is shown a clip while their seats move to correspond to the action on screen.

i remember at universal studios me and family went on the 'back to the future' ride when the time machine went through a volcano, and the 'car' bounced, bumped and moved left and ride exactly according to what's happening on screen!

inside the helicopter, a clip was shown, as if we're taking off to go to the oil platform. on the way there was a 'storm' and the helicopter experienced a slight 'turbulence'! there was also a voice-over - the 'pilot' asking, "semua okay?" after the helicopter passed the storm!

this, to me was a really cool part of petrosains that shows the discovery of petroleum, the roles of the crew working on board and many machineries for the kids to explore.

this section really looked like an oil platform (i've never been on one, anyway - but it sure looked like how it could have been!) with its bright yellow color, metal floors and high ceiling.

cool, cool stuff. of course, khaleef tried out a few machineries there. pressing this button and that. pulling this lever and that. he really enjoyed the experience.

there were so many more exhibits and experiments that we all saw, but my camera ran out battery! just when i thought that a section might be the last one, we stepped into a new section.

the exhibits and experiments were all about using your five senses in exploring science. see, hear, smell, touch and feel - certainly perfect for growing minds and young, inquisitive kids.

bring yours there next weekend!