Exhibition promises to put fun into science

       If you think you dislike science, a range of new games and 3D books designed to boost knowledge of and enjoyment of -maths and the sciences may change your mind.
       In the National Science and Technology Fair 2009, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology and National Science Museum,which runs until August 23 at Impact Arena Hall 2-8, Muang Thong Thani,booths offering new experiences promise to turn difficult science into "fun knowledge".
       For example, IBM Global has developed PowerUp , a new online 3D game that is both fun and filled with knowledge,according to IBM Thailand, Chief Technologist, Trirat Suwanprateeb.
       The game encourages children to learn about science and engineering principles through interactive tasks.
       Players can solve environmental issues on a virtual planet by generating "clean energy" such as solar energy, wind power and hydropower.
       The game characters can interact with players to give science and engineering information which allows the players to gain knowledge about energy conser-vation and restoring the environment in a virtual world. This game is available to download for free from www.powerup thegame.org
       Meanwhile, TryScience is the world's first global science and technology museum that promises to make science "fun" for students.
       It will be developed in collaboration with more than 500 science institutions and science museums.
       IBM has created a knowledge database at www.tryscience.org, taking the form of a multimedia game that allows students to run science experiments through a computer, and provides experimental instructions in many scientific fields for students and teachers to carry out in the classrooms.
       "Advance technologies help children to access new experiences to explore science," Trirat said.
       "Not every child can afford to visit real science museums around the world but these technologies can make it happen [virtually].
       "In the near future, IBM will hold science camps for normal and disabled students as well as offer training for teachers."
       The Office of Atoms for Peace booth also offers various animation stories that will teach students in an enjoyable manner about what is nuclear technology,atom theory and other difficult and hardto-imagine subjects.
       New 3D textbook
       The Technology Management Centre under National Science and Technology Development Agency, or NSTADA, will demonstrate the new technology of interactive books, which can help students to learn biology and chemistry more easily - and more enjoyably.
       Larngear Technology, a software developer, turns ordinary textbooks into 3D books.
       The system works by using a webcam to send pictures, while the software will process the object and show it 3D on the surface of the book page.
       Every time the webcam moves, the object will move follow.
       This gives the impression of the object appearing for real in front of the users.
       The exhibition also has a 4D simulator displaying natural resources to try to teach visitors how to save the world from the effects of global warming.
       The fair also has separate zones for robot and automatic technology.
       There will be a parade of robotics including the impressive Scorpion and Spider robots, which recreate the animals from the movie Transformers 2 .It is hoped touching and examining the robots may inspire children to become the scientists of the future.