TEXT_Yan Lam
PHOTOS_Panda Lei
The Macao Science Center (MSC) allows visitors to enjoy the fun of exploring science in a hands-on, knowledge-based and scientific way, while the Macao Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) provides readers with a large variety of science books. These two institutions have worked together since 2017 to offer interesting scientific activities and theme-based extensive reading so as to closely connect popular science and reading, arousing more people’s interest in exploring science.
The cooperation between the MSC and the Macao Public Library of the IC has yielded lecture series and workshops on “A Different World of Science” for teenagers and adults, and the “Friday Playground of Science Picture Books” aimed at children. “Many people find it difficult to study science so we explore the theme from a life perspective to increase people’s learning interest,” MSC Education and Exhibits Controller Oscar Leong said. “The hands-on experience offered by the MSC and the popular science books of the Library are combined to present a more diversified face of science.” In 2021, the MSC has introduced “Learning Popular Science During Afternoon Tea” into the series of activities on “A Different World of Science”. This newly-added activity focuses on familiar topics such as watching animated science fiction films and making science toys, explaining scientific knowledge in a relaxing and interactive way. At the same time, it has even attracted the participants to read by kindling their interest in science, who can continue to deepen their scientific knowledge via reading popular science books recommended by the Library. In addition, Oscar mentioned that his team were working on a podcast. “We will try new promotion methods while keeping holding workshops and lectures. Last year, for example, the MSC added an ‘MSC e-Library’ to its website where users can read popular science books on the online platform.”
The “Friday Playground of Science Picture Books” is also a popular activity of the two institutions. Oscar hopes to bring popular science to different communities, especially children from grass-roots dual-career families. The libraries in each community are a good choice. MSC Officer (Education) Nicole Wong, who is in charge of this activity, added, “This activity uses science picture books as lead-ins along with creative drama games, enabling participating children to acquire simple scientific knowledge and arousing their interest in it in the process.”
MSC Education and Exhibits Controller Oscar Leong hopes that these popular science and reading activities can spark people’s interest in science.
MSC Officer Nicole Wong has carried out the “Friday Playground of Science Picture Books” in different community libraries, hoping to expand its coverage and allow more children to get access to science.
