Science for all! The Mind Museum, 2GO launch ‘The Mind Rover’
MANILA, Philippines – Bonifacio Global City’s The Mind Museum and ferry operator 2GO have teamed up to launch a 12-meter-long custom-built museum bus called The Mind Rover!
The educational bus is packed with interactive science exhibits, equipped for fun workshops and interactive science shows led by the Mind Movers, the team behind the Mind Museum’s performances. The partnership, which kicked off its first leg in Bacolod City, will set sail across communities and public schools in in various parts of the country for free.
“We are so thrilled to partner with 2GO for The Mind Rover. The 2GO team has been exceptional in its authenticity and readiness to support inspired science and art learning, and it was like fireworks when we set out to agree to do this together. This partnership will impact many communities,” Maria Isabel Garcia, The Mind Museum managing director and curator, said in a press release.
The Mind Rover features hands-on exhibits and interactive science shows. During the shows, students can participate by assisting the Mind Movers in conducting science experiments.
Inside the Mind Rover, there are visual exhibits covering various branches of science, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, as well as data science. The exhibits include games and activities, making learning not only visual but also enjoyable, as it is integrated with interactive play.
One of the activities in earth science includes puzzles on ecosystems, where kids can assemble pieces to form a complete ecosystem.
In data science, coding steps are presented in a child-friendly and easily digestible way, with colorful, color-coded wooden blocks integrated for a fun and interactive experience.
In biology, particularly on human anatomy, kids can visualize and explore the arrangement of different human body parts through the exhibit.
In physics, one activity involves the wire loop buzzer game, which teaches conductivity.
Simple chemistry experiments, such as mixing vinegar and baking soda to create gas and carbon dioxide bubbles, are also included.
The Mind Rover aims to inspire all Filipinos to learn science and art at various places in the Philippines.
It operates under the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Incorporated, which also handles BGC Arts Center, and is inspired to champion both art and science as pillars of community and national growth. 2GO is a transportation and logistics solutions provider operating in 19 ports across the country.
The Mind Rover is equipped with solar panels to support its ventilation and other needs, reflecting the Bonifacio Art Foundation’s dedication to environmental regeneration and aligning with 2GO’s focus on sustainability.
Tony Reoganis, Chairman of 2GO LMC, emphasized the need to transform both the methods of learning and the ways educational facilities are powered, highlighting the Mind Rover’s hands-on exhibits that effectively demonstrate how the planet functions and responds to human activities, including the climate crisis.
This initiative is a unique partnership between the Mind Museum’s mobile “wonder bus” and the logistics solutions company to deliver transformative educational experiences to young people across the country. – with reports by Rowz Fajardo/Rappler.com
Rowz Fajardo is a Rappler intern studying Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of the Philippines Manila.