The scene of the Guangdong Science Center.
The Guangdong Science Center has recently unveiled its latest masterpiece, the “Math and Physics Panorama” exhibition hall, after three years of meticulous
planning and construction. This innovative space invites the public to embark on a journey where abstract scientific concepts become tangible and palpable.
Far from merely a showcase of curious phenomena, the exhibition hall aims to equip visitors with the ability to “think like a scientist.” By eschewing the conventional approach of isolated subject displays, it intertwines the intricacies of mathematics and physics, transporting visitors to the very heart of scientific discovery and immersing them in the investigative processes of pioneering minds.
One such immersive experience is the “Vortex Bowling” exhibit, where a mere push of a button unleashes vortex rings in a tank, propelling bowling pins. Witnessing the “fluid bullet” effect firsthand, visitors gain an intuitive understanding of underwater dynamics.
The exhibition abounds with such hands-on interactions, with 123 exhibits spanning mathematics, acoustics, optics, electromagnetism, mechanics, fluid dynamics, and quantum physics. By mirroring scientists’ path from observation to hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion, it encourages active learning, fostering scientific thinking and methodology beyond mere fact retention.
At the intersection of science and art, the iconic “Spark of Thought” exhibit showcases the relentless pursuit of truth and its societal implications through a symphony of mechatronics, lighting, and music, offering both intellectual stimulation and aesthetic delight.
Li Feng, a senior engineer at the Guangdong Science Center, emphasizes the pavilion’s commitment to bridging in-school and out-of-school science education. By incorporating key concepts from mathematics and physics into the exhibits, it caters to students of various ages and grades, ensuring tailored experiences.
Take the “Snake Pendulum” as an example: for primary schoolers, it’s a marvel of swaying motion; for junior high students with physics knowledge, it illustrates the relationship between pendulum period and length; and for high schoolers, it delves into the quantitative connections among period, length, and gravitational acceleration.
Looking ahead, the exhibition hall plans to conduct teacher training, empowering educators to develop curricula leveraging its exhibits. Collaborations with education departments will further bring school curricula into the science center, fostering a robust “museum-school” connection and establishing the venue as an off-campus science education hub.