How does a seed grow? It germinates, becomes a seedling then a adult plant or tree. Science books can give a pretty fair description of the whole process with terms a student can memorize. But experiential learning is different; it involves complete understanding not just by memorizing the entire process.
Complete or concrete understanding happens when a person has a direct experience in observing, analyzing, evaluating and making conclusion.
Just like in a Nido Fortified commercial, the tagline “let them go, let them grow” is a way to allow children to learn things by themselves. The tagline is actually an advocacy that encourages parents to let their children to personally experience the world. After all, even sages agreed that personal experience increase one’s awareness and intellect.
As we have motioned experimental learning, the reopening of Science Discovery Center at the Mall of Asia (now renamed as the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center), gave us a better understanding why science and experiential approach are essential to students.
According to Dr. Josette Biyo, Philippine Science High School-Iloilo director and Intel Excellence Teaching Awardee, science learning does not only take place in the classroom. She explained that to nurture children’s curiosity, teachers can make the natural environment their laboratories to teach science concepts.
“Another factor critical to improving science competency in the Philippines is the proper method of teaching science, Educators must be properly trained on how to teach science in a more interesting and fun manner. This will help kids learn to love the subject and stimulate their interest in studying nature, phenomena, and the natural wolrd,” the educator said.
Dr. Biyo’s excellent credentials are indeed exceptional that a minor planet, or an asteroid that can be found in the asteroid belt between planets Mars and Jupiter, has been named after her. The honor was given to Dr. Biyo when she became the first asian teacher to win Intel Exellence in Teaching awrd in 2002. Her innovative teaching method is simple, she doesn’t teach by the book. She allows her students to have hands-on experience that she calls experiential learning.
Knowledge is power
At the re-opening of Nido Fortified Discovery Center, Dr. Biyo delivered a compelling speech that explained why people should embrace science.
“Memorizing facts and information thing is not the most important thing in today’s world because such facts and information are already available. It’s the mutual learning, on the other hand, that provides the students the opportunity to observe, to design, to manipulate, to analyze, and to construct the information necessary to have deeper understanding,” Dr. Biyo elaborated.
Supporting the need of science learning adovaocay, Nido Fortified has taken on the task to institute an advocacy that would help cultivate young minds to take a keen interest in science through projects and programs that encourage interactive and experiential learning.
“We want children to have a new attitude toward science. We want them to know that science is important in life and studying it can also be fun and enjoyable,” Joseph Eugene David. Nestle Philippines Inc. executive, said.
Putting fun in learning
The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia is a 3,000 square meter and a two level facility that houses highly-advanced interactive learning tools. It also features nine walk-through galleries, many of which contain interactive stations that enhance visitor experience.
“Here at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, we put the fun in learning through our interactive and entertaining galleries,” Raymung Maclang, assistant vice president for operation of Sm Family Entertainment Center In.c, shared.
Smart Media City is one of the four galleries that can be found on the first level. It features the Gesturetek, where players can interact with and move around various 3D virtual environments using simple body movements.
Then there is the popular Grossology station, where kids can learn about the ways and quirks of the human body. Here, children can enjoy the hands-on experience of “operating” on a mock human body in the patients Please section, minus the blood.
Interactive fun at center continues at the transportation Nation where children can build their very own virtual car at its kiosks, or try landing in its flight simulators, Graphic panels also display video presentation of the history of various modes of transportation.
The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is located at the south side of the mall’s Entertainment building, and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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