Engr. Meneleo Carlos, Jr. (MJC) recently led the formal unveiling of five new exhibits at the Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) in Marikina, the first interactive science center in the Philippines.

The PFST board members who came for their annual membership meeting on June 27, 2008 assisted MJC, chairman and president of the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST), which manages the Philippine Science Centrum.

They toured the new and old exhibits, enjoying the fun filled experience of learning science and technology. Among the more popular exhibits was the Power of Reflection that produces a reflection of the checkered walls on the two mirrors, creating an illusion of one flat-checkered wall. MJC tested the exhibit and what happened was that the mirrors covered his body and his head appeared to pop out of the checkered wall.

The new exhibits are as follows:

• Lift Yourself exhibit enables you to carry yourself up by means of the block and tackle assembly. This consists of one block suspended on top of the metal support stand and another block for lifting the platform.

• Robotic Arm shows how the joints of the human arm work together to accomplish a specific task, like picking up an object and moving it around. The electrically powered motors rotate the gears that in turn move the joints of the arm, lowering or raising it, rotating the wrist and gripping the ball. It is a combination of mechanics and electronics that enables the robot’s arm to move.

• Testa Coil is one of Nikola Tesla’s most famous inventions. It is a high-frequency voltage air-cored transformer. It takes the input power supply from a 220 V AC main line. The transformers and driver circuit receiving the 22vAC are connected in series parallel combination to produce 8000 volt at 60 milli ampere output and steps it up to an extremely high voltage. Voltages can get to be above 500,000 volts and are discharged in the form of electrical arcs.

• Space Gallery displays the solar system, which is composed of the sun and eight planets. Underneath the solar system model are interactive information kiosks that feature basic descriptions of each planet.

• Video Microscope is a toy microscope that is interfaced with an LCD monitor. Mounted on a circular carousel are slides containing specimens. By pushing a button, the specimens can be placed under the microscope. Enlarged views of the specimens are then projected on the monitor.