From animatronic dinosaurs to hydrogen rockets, Sarawak’s newest attraction is building tomorrow’s innovators today.
A TYRANNOSAURUS rex towers over visitors at the Sarawak Science Centre, generating awe and excitement as it moves and roars in a lifelike manner.
The animatronic dinosaur is one of the star attractions at the newly opened centre, occupying a prominent spot in the ground-floor dinosaur gallery alongside a Spinosauridae and models of other species.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC), the centre is a five-storey facility designed to spark curiosity among all ages and make science accessible to everyone.
Located at Jalan Stadium in Kuching, it was opened by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg on July 29 and has since registered over 40,000 visitors.
Among the early visitors was entrepreneur Haminah Sirat, who came with her grandchildren the day after the opening ceremony.
She was impressed by the scale and educational quality of the exhibits, particularly the dinosaurs.
“Some of them can even move as if they are real. My grandchildren also enjoyed the interactive exhibits.
“I’m glad they could come and learn about science in such a practical and hands-on way,” she said.
Haminah added that adult visitors would also find the centre a useful learning experience.
“Science is now more advanced than in the past. There are so many new technologies to learn about,” she said.
The dinosaur gallery was also SRDC staff member Jackson Michael Bunggom’s favourite part of the centre, along with the sections on light and electricity.
“I hope the younger generation will learn many things in the centre and that it will attract their interest to study science. Then they can contribute to Sarawak’s development in future,” he said.
Year Six pupil Nur Hayya Imani, who visited the centre on a school trip, found the exhibits on hydrogen energy and electrons the most engaging.
“Getting to see and touch the displays makes me more interested in science. I think I can understand science better now when learning it in school,” she said.
The centre currently has interactive exhibits in various thematic galleries on the ground floor and Level 1.
Besides the dinosaur gallery, the ground floor has sections on earth and geology, the wonder of science, chemistry and the Sarawak Delta Geopark.
There is also a waterplay zone featuring a simulation of the “benak” tidal wave phenomenon.
On Level 1, the thematic galleries cover energy and heat, forces and mechanics, light and sound, electricity and magnetism, and communication.
One popular exhibit is the hydrogen rocket, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis when a handwheel is turned.
The rocket is propelled forward when hydrogen fills its combustion chamber, mixes with oxygen and is ignited by a spark, demonstrating how hydrogen fuel can power rockets.
Galleries on Levels 2 and 3 will open later, covering themes such as the human body, mind and brain and a mirror maze.
The centre also has specialised labs for chemistry, DNA, nutrition and food and general science, as well as two maker spaces.
Other facilities include a theatre, a mini auditorium and a hostel for overnight programmes.
The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm. Admission is currently free, with ticket prices to be announced at a later date.
