Of Magic & Chemistry

Towards the end of year 2013, we are celebrating the wonders of science and this time it's having fun with chemistry! The theme is called 'Of Magic & Chemistry'. In conjunction with this theme, we are also giving out a 2-in-1 colourful periodic table and 2014 table calendar to visitors.             

There are many activities listed for visitors to try. Did you know that forensic scientists study how ink breaks down into separate colours in order to solve crimes? We call this chromatography. You can give it a try at Petrosains!

In the ‘Zesty Candle’ activity at Petrosains, you can make your own homemade candle. You need half an orange with the insides scooped out and some olive oil! Orange skin contains a flammable oil with a compound called limonene. Limonene gives oranges and other citrus fruits their distinctive smell! The Zesty Candle made from the orange skin and olive oil produces a fresh citrus scent but with all flammable items, so great care must be taken. 

Our fun science demonstrations on chemistry stimulates you to discover how ordinary works of science can be such an exciting and unforgettable experience! The picture below shows our science communicator performing a science show about ‘Combustion’. Basically he is explaining the three elements that is needed to ignite and sustain a fire, which are fuel, heat and oxygen. 

Hope this will change the mindset that we can only learn and do chemistry in a lab. In actual fact we are free to discover chemical reactions at home using everyday materials. But kids, make sure you have parental guidance if dealing with fire! Or else..






Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Petrosains Science Show Competition Final 2013

Petrosains successfully held the grand finals of Petrosains National Science Show Competition for the fifth consecutive year on  23rd and 24th October 2013.  Kompleks Kraf, Jalan Conlay was once again became the official venue for the final competition for both the school category and the open category.

After the initial kick-off in early February this year, we received  a total of  317 entries  from secondary schools all over Malaysia including from boarding schools such as Maktab Rendah Sains Mara. After a stringent selection process by our panel of judges,  60 teams were shortlisted and competed against each other in the six zone level competition held in Johor Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Sg. Petani. . The winner from each zone then proceeded to the grand finals together with two wildcard teams chosen by the panel of judges to compete in the grand finals.on 2013.

Some science hunting with the participants from Sarawak

As for the open category,  36 entries were received from teams representing public and private higher learning institutions in Malaysia as well as open teams.  . After vetting thoroughly , the panel of judges  selected  19 teams to compete in  the semi final round and with that, the top nine teams emerged to compete in the grand finals.

This competition is an initiative taken by Petrosains, to promote effective and informal learning methods, and popularize the subjects of science amongst secondary school students, This competition also takes things one step further by putting s students on stage and  giving them the opportunity to explain science to others. This indirectly refines and deepens their own understanding of the science concept and  helps in building their confidence and communication skills that will be a huge asset for them in the future. Other than just performing for the final, the finalists of this year’s school category were also given the opportunity to have a direct up-close  session with Dr. Graham Walker, a PhD holder in science show from Australia National University. During the session, Dr. Graham shared valuable information and tips in science show performing.

School Category

Amazing Acid and Base show by MRSM Pendang

Having some fun with science

Special science show performance from the deaf and mute students of SMKV Indah Pura

And the champion of the Petrosains Science Show Competition 2013 School Category is SMK Panchor!!!  In true cinematic fashion, Zarul Mustaqeem Abdul Samad of SMK Panchor fell to the floor in elated disbelief when the final result was announced.  Their win was attributed to natural onstage chemistry between the two participants,  skillful audience engagement and fascinating science show performance that captured the judges attention and scored them high marks.

The happy faces of the winners

As for the Open Category, it was an extremely tight battle  between all 9 teams. Each of them came out with awe-inspiring shows that included the science of sounds, dry ice and even bubbles. In the end, Institut Pendidikan Guru Ipoh created a – surprise when both their teams swept away the first and second Place for the finals, defeating other  teams from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Politeknik Balik Pulau and the enigmatic Yong Brothers’ Robotic Show. 

Open Category

Discovering interesting element about density with Politeknik Balik Pulau team

Fantastic  show about heat capacity and pressure by the Institut Perguruan Perlis

Travelling through time with amazing science discovery by the Institut Perguruan Ipoh 

Results: 

School Category

Champion  SMK Panchor

Runner- up : SMK Seksyen 10, Kota Damansara

Third place : SMK Sultan Ismail, SMK Lembah Bidong

And the 6 Special Awards go to :-

Best Script : MRSM Pendang, Kedah

Best Future Star : SMK Tamparuli, Sabah

Best ‘Wow’ Demonstration : SMK Panchor, Negeri Sembilan

Best Performer : SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor

Most Popular Group : SMK Panchor, Negeri Sembilan

Highest Number of Entries  : Negeri Johor

Open Category

Champion : Institut Pendidikan Guru Ipoh (Team Loh)

Naib Johan : Institut Pendidikan Guru Ipoh (Team Tan)

Tempat Ketiga : Yong Brothers

The happy faces of the winners

Definitely can’t wait to see what 2014 has to offer for the competition! 

Polymers From Marine Bacteria?

HotScience│Petrosains

We see and use many types of polymers every day, it’s just that it’s known to us by different names.  The most common polymer is plastics and it comes in many forms – plastic bags, ATM and credit cards, our five ringgit notes and toys.  There’s also fabrics like rayon, nylon, and polyester.  These are synthetic polymers, i.e. they are man-made.

The other type of polymers, known as natural polymers, can be found in nature and within us.  They are also known as natural biopolymers, i.e. polymers produced by living organisms. DNA is a natural polymer found in all living things and it will be very difficult for us to survive without it.  There are also other natural polymers, e.g. cotton, silk, rubber, leather and cotton; that can be modified chemically to produce many of the consumer products we love and can’t do without!

So, what’s a polymer? 

It’s a compound formed from long chains of the same molecule group. These chains repeat over and over, just like paper clips of the same type and colour joined together.  Polymers can be made to be flexible, pliable and stretchy, yet strong and firm by linking the molecule chains in several places.  Depends on what we want.

Now that we know the difference between synthetic and natural polymers, how about marine biopolymers?  As the name goes, they are polymers produced by living organisms that live in the seas.  You may ask, how useful is it to us?  Aren’t all polymers similar?

Research has shown that marine biopolymers may serve as a potential base material for biodegradable plastics as well as applications in food additives, pharmaceutical and medical polymers, wound dressings, bio-adhesives, dental biomaterials, tissue regeneration and 3D tissue culture scaffolds. 

Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Prof. Madya Dr. Charles S. Vairappan and his team has developed an innovative product called Profeed.  This is a probiotic fish feed which has been cleverly developed without costly sterilization by just using a concoction of probiotic microbes to do the job through fermentation. Another possible biopolymer that may be developed is by stressing certain bacteria to produce chemicals to make polymers.

Marine-derived biomaterials science is still relatively new and the marine environment is a relatively untapped resource for the discovery of new enzymes, biopolymers and biomaterials for industrial applications.

Special facilitation by Assoc. Prof.  Dr. Charles S. Vairappan -
Director, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation

This article is written in conjunction with Science Engagement Session at HotScience, Petrosains from 7-8 September 2013 with scientists from, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) –

1. Assoc. Prof.  Dr. Charles S. Vairappan

• Director, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation

• Marine Natural Products Chemistry researcher, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation

2. Mr. Thulasiramanan Ramachandram, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation

3. Mr. Kishneth Palaniveloo, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation

The Bright Darkness

I was standing at the entrance of the Dialogue in the Dark exhibition (currently at Petrosains, Level 4 Suria KLCC) and was nervously handing in my ticket to the employee as I attempt to visualize the experience ahead. It was something I never thought I would experience, but there I was with another family as we wait for our scheduled session to begin. We had a small chat and then, Vicky, one of the employees at the exhibition, gave us a brief introduction and history about Dialogue in the Dark. The exhibition has a wonderful history and track record, being in numerous countries the world over and changing thousands of lives. As time drew closer to 3 p.m., we gathered in front of a dark entrance covered by a curtain. We could venture into the new world only after we were taught how to use the cane. I gained slight confidence and well, thought it was easy and so took it lightly. Thus, I gathered all of my courage to enter another person’s world where darkness is the norm. 

Note: This is not part of the exhibition

The adventure only just began when my hands started to tremble. It was pitch black and losing my sight temporarily for the first time was horrifying.  It was just a few moments after we began our journey but we kept on asking each other, “Where are you?” It was clear that we have yet to adapt to the new environment which made us lose our coordination. We tried to calm down, but it was obvious that most of us panicked for a bit. Although we had Vicky to guide us in the beginning, I began to cast some doubts if she knew our whereabouts. We only had walls and the cane to help and steer us along the way. Soon after that, Uncle Jo, who was our guide throughout the exhibition, greeted us in the dark and gave us a warm welcome. Somehow, I felt at ease when Uncle Jo welcomed us and became our guide as we embarked on an adventure which is one of its kind.  

It would be a lie if I were to say I mastered the usage of the cane right away. We kept on bumping into each other and did not know where exactly the objects were as we experienced life blind like Uncle Jo did. Unlike us, Uncle Jo knows exactly where we were. He guided us with much patience and care. Who would have known that one with perfect physical abilities would be guided by a person who has a disability? 

We began to familiarize ourselves in the new world and see the aesthetics of life in a whole new perspective. It felt like my senses of touch were enticed! I liked the texture of the objects with what I could recall and this whole experience made me excited as I felt like I was in a maze. We could listen to the sound of nature that we are familiar with but there was something that I could not depict in words to express the wonder of seeing the beauty of the surrounding by ears and not by the eyes. Jason, who is an energetic visitor and also the youngest among all of us, was excited as he adjusted to the environment and he even helped to guide me alongside Uncle Jo. 

However, what impressed me more was Uncle Jo’s open-mindedness as he encouraged Jason to ask more questions and instill great interest in Jason to explore the world of darkness. I must say that all of us were inspired and learned to communicate under Uncle Jo’s guidance. It really felt like we were just talking to a friendly neighbour. We were given the chance to ask him questions about his life up-close and personal. I felt for his challenges living life blind as our world, especially in Malaysia, is biased to the sighted. We don’t often recognize the needs of the blind, deaf, or wheelchair bound so everyday life like shopping or going to watch a movie is so much more difficult for the less-abled. I did a self-reflection in the dark room and noticed how ignorant I was to complain about the imperfections I have. I seem to be way more incompetent than Uncle Jo as his spirit to live a normal life is greater than mine. 

Before we knew it, our meaningful and adventurous journey in the Dialogue in the Dark exhibition came to an end. We finally got to see the face of Uncle Jo under the light. He had a benign smile and one could see his warmness shining through. He managed to touch our hearts and brought us to a whole new look at life as we learn how to appreciate ourselves and understand the blind better. It was not merely an experience where we learn about them, but we were also given the chance to look at ourselves and appreciate life as it is. How impressive it was that an hour long experience is able to give me and the visitors a lesson that we would not otherwise get. Through Dialogue in the Dark, it feels like the blind are sharing their world with us and it was a privilege indeed.

Shared by Nadrah

Guest Student Blogger

Decoding Science Into Arts

Science by itself is intricate. Jargons and complicated theories are always the barrier for the public to understand astonishing discoveries which has won the Nobel Prize. One needs to acquire deep knowledge on Science to digest those findings. However, artist Volker Steger came up with a fresh idea to solve this problem: present science in the form of arts. He challenged the laureates by giving them a blank sheet of paper and a box of crayons to draw their discoveries and this gave birth to the Sketches of Science exhibition. Who else could have imagined such a spontaneous and brilliant approach?

PETRONAS, alongside the Secretariat of the Merdeka Award and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) proudly presents The Sketches of Science: Photo Sessions with Nobel Laureates exhibition at the Petronas Gallery (located at the 3rd floor of Suria KLCC). It features 42 portraits of the Nobel Laureates with their sketches which contributed mainly in the main fields of science; Physics, Chemistry and Medicine. 

The moment visitors step into the exhibition, they could see 50 portraits of the laureates posing with their creative sketches. This exhibition allows visitors to explore the art behind the theories from the laureates’ very own perspective. Sketches exhibited brilliantly depict laureates’ minds in presenting their discovery. What is most appealing about the exhibition is it fosters interest to the public that Science is more than just theories; it is also applicable. It is for everyone to view! Not only that, it is interesting that the scientists attempt to simplify their scientific ideas. This concept where science is infused with arts will attract both science enthusiast and the general public. 

Telephone interviews with the laureates themselves are provided; it engages visitors with the laureates. One could feel stronger connection with the sketching as the interview further explains the symbols of each of the portraits that they view. A documentary video and digital presentations in the exhibition makes it even more interactive. In addition, science communicators from Petrosains are assigned each day to assist visitors. They are there to answer inquiries and offer guidance. This creates a new environment where the culture of excellence is injected into the society. 

Sketches of Science is truly unique. Volker Steger also gave an overview of how each laureate reacted to the project and this indirectly showcases the colourful side of their personality. We would like to invite the public to visit the exhibition and gain as much knowledge and inspiration from it. The exhibition is being held until 31st of January 2014, from 10.00 am up to 8.00pm daily except for Mondays. Here's the best thing, admission is free! 

For more information and details on the exhibition click below: 
http://www.galeripetronas.com.my/Pages/Exhibition.aspx?MenuId=2&SubMenuId=6

Shared by Nadrah

Guest Student Blogger

Science Matters!

Do you know that metal slinky can produce sounds like a ‘laser gun’?

Did you know that if you sit on a fully inflated balloon it will likely pop but what if you’re standing on a raft of balloons? 

A regular air-filled balloon will pop when exposed to a flame but in this photo, a science communicator is able to hold a flame under a balloon without it bursting. Is this magic? Of course it isn’t! By simply adding water into the balloon, enough heat can be absorbed and dissipated to ensure that the balloon doesn’t burst. How long do you think the balloon can remain resistant to the flame?

More discoveries were happening at Petrosains from July - September 2013 with our third thematic program called Science Matters! Discoveries That Change The World. It was definitely an interesting affair. The pictures above show the interactive mini science shows that we had in our centre. Seeing seeing someone conduct a simple science experiment live helps us learn and understand science easier.  

The highlight for our 'Weekend Special' event was the sape and guitar performance by Nico, our science communicator. He demonstrated the differences and similarities between the two musical instruments. Besides that, visitors also had a chance to make their own paper helicopters.

Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Dari mana asalnya asam keping?

Bercakap mengenai asam keping, pastinya ramai yang pernah melihatnya? Apatah lagi kepada sesiapa yang selalu             menjenguk ke dapur untuk memasak. Tetapi, pernahkah kita terfikir, asam keping di perbuat daripada apa? Dari mana    asalnya asam keping? Perkongsian yang sangat menarik pada kali ini adalah  mengenai sesuatu perkara yang mungkin      ramai yang tidak pernah mengetahuinya atau melihatnya sendiri.

Asam keping berasal daripada buah asam gelugur. Asam gelugur adalah sejenis buah yang boleh diperolehi dari pokok     asam gelugur. Gambar di atas menunjukkan  pokok asam gelugur. Jika diperhatikan  dari segi morfologinya, pokok asam gelugur lebih tinggi dari  pokok-pokok yang lain dan ketinggiannya boleh mencecah 10 hingga 15 meter. 

Daunnya pula berbentuk bujur memanjang seperti yang dapat dilihat dalam gambar di atas. Buah asam gelugur berketak di sekelilingnya. Buah asam gelugor yang muda bewarna hijau manakala buahnya yang sudah matang bewarna kuning. 

Pada kebiasaannya, buah yang telah matang akan dikait dengan menggunakan galah. Kadang kala buah asam gelugur ini boleh dijumpai gugur di atas tanah kerana sudah terlalu masak. Untuk membuat asam keping, buahnya akan di potong     setebal  3mm. Kemudian  ia akan disusun di atas permukaan yang rata dan di jemur di bawah panas matahari selama 4      hingga 7 hari.

Rasa masam dari buah asam gelugur sebenarnya berasal dari rasa masam pelbagai jenis asid yang terkandung di dalam     buahnya. Di antaranya adalah asid sitrik, asid tartarik dan asid askorbik di samping ia juga mengandungi khasiat lain         seperti serat, vitamin dan mineral. Asam keping digunakan sebagai bahan perasa di dalam kebanyakan masakan seperti   asam pedas, masakan singgang dan kuah laksa. selain itu, rasa masam dari  asam keping juga digunakan untuk membasuh bahan mentah seperti ikan kerana ia boleh menghilangkan bau yang hanyir.

Posted by Ayu
Learning Specialist, Petrosains

Versatile Bamboo!

HotScience │Petrosains

We’ve seen people rafting along a river on bamboo rafts, bamboo scaffolding at construction sites and of course the housing for Malaysia’s all-time favourite, lemang!  Now try to imagine clothes, bags, towels and soap made from bamboo.  Maybe computer casing too!  

One of the fascinating uses of bamboo is as scaffold in the construction industry.  China has been using it for the past 5000 years and today it’s still widely used in many Asian countries, not only for low rise buildings but the tallest skyscrapers imaginable!  So what’s special about bamboo?  Well basically it’s light, strong, portable, cheap and renewable! 

In 2012, researchers from the University’s BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials embarked in a collaboration with Coventry University and the University of Cambridge to explore the use of bamboo for the widespread construction of homes.  Studies are on-going.

Another interesting application is clothing.  We have cotton and woolen clothing, why not bamboo?  Bamboo fabric is impressive for the following reasons:

• Softer than cotton - its texture is similar to a blend of cashmere and silk.

• Better moisture absorption and ventilation.  

• Natural antibacterial elements.

• Ability to absorb and evaporate human sweat in a split of a second.  This makes it extremely cool and comfortable, even in hot weather. 

• 100% bamboo yarns show a great elasticity i.e. nearly 20%.

What’s available in the market now?  There’s sweaters, bath-suits, underwear, t-shirts, socks, sanitary napkins, masks, mattress, bags, bathroom products and decorating items.  All this from the humble bamboo.  Bamboo is indeed versatile!

Some Bamboo Malaysia merchandise are also available at our gift shop 'Xplorasi'.

This article is written in conjunction with an Engagement Session at HotScience, Petrosains from 20-21 September 2013 with Bamboo Malaysia.