I am not a physics geek or anything, at all. No lie! Equations in this area are a complete mystery here. However, I love science, exploring and everything about it. Literally! If there’s a character that would illustrate me on that, would be Fred from Big Hero 6. Hope this association helps.
So, one morning, just before my return from a work trip, there was me scrolling through the Facebook feed on my phone, in the bed. Saw an add (one of those nasty things keeping Facebook free for lazy and low paid users like 70% of us). It was about an event in a shopping centre in Sofia. We call shopping centers ‘mall’, in Bulgaria. Because we are fabulous!
It’s not that far from the place where I live. Me and malls don’t really go along in a sentence unless there’s a bookshop in the mix. That’s what made me join it in the schedule, just in case of getting bored.
So, here we are, during the following week, after work, going to the mall, in the name of science. Yes, I was that bored of travel agents ‘wisdom’ that evening.
The working hours of this place are 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. which basically fits my schedule. It’s also at The Mall in Sofia between 13 July 2019 and 30 September 2019.
It wasn’t that hard to find the place. Actually, malls are easy to find. Finding anything inside … We should ask Google for scan of every mall in Bulgaria on a monthly level! However the add instructions mentioned that the science thing is -2 Level … What they did not mention was ‘behind the escalator’. Easy!
The entrance is nothing, pretty much. Just the regular glass walls with a view. The cash desk is small and looks like a temporal interior solution. However we’re not here in the name of architecture, nor design. Just pay your admission in cash or with a card and go wild. Cashiers are friendly, well instructed and also smiley. Also, remember to return the same to them. You’ll find they are not wearing masks. They do enjoy visitors. I was the last one that day and they looked tired but still had the energy to make me feel welcome and definitely not like an intruder. I preferred the cash payment (if you care). Then got the basic instructions - read information plates and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
A staff member followed me and said he’d gladly show me around. It was a surprise for me because I didn’t request a guide. He said that’s the privilege of being last customer for the day. In addition, that fella was kind and jolly. His physics explanations were simple and even a little child would have understood everything. We tried the lightning cabin: a box installation with block of flats, garden and light bulb imitation of lighting in a typical city. I was too impatient to explore, so didn’t take a picture of it but here’s the information plate. I know it’s blurry. I am sorry for that. It’s just … I couldn’t wait to see what’s next at that very moment.
There’s translation in English … for foreigners or people stuck in English after work but it’s not as colorful as the Bulgarian translation. (We’re not here for the letters). All experiments and tools have these instructions. What’s important to know is that some tools didn’t work properly sometimes. As a regular (whenever in London) at the Science Museum in London, I am aware that it’s not always because of poor maintenance. We’re talking about physics and mechanics. Parts sometimes wear down and it takes some time for a machine to work properly after being installed. Especially when this is a travelling exposition … Like this one. That’s why a machine or two were working not-exactly the way they should have. Still, I had a guide, so we have explained the purpose, the way relevant mechanics worked and I insisted on the fun. The second machine was a volcano model. Well, it’s not the regular school volcano with sodium, water and food coloring but it’s lava shines and has some smoke. The model has a side view where people can see what the cone looks like on the inside and the decor will let you take a few pictures with an eruption horror on your face. Here’s where I am clarifying that looks on my face are not something I would like to share public, so you’ll have to simply enjoy this photo or the extremely short video here at this link. . ?What’s next is 6th graders favorite reels. Since this is one of the lessons I learned during my captains license study, I simply enjoyed the way first seat was allowing easier lift of my weight than the other one. Don’t be afraid to lose ground under your feet in the name of science! ?
What’s so good about this exhibition is that items are random and represent different scientific experiments where doing them grown ups remember school with joy and catch up with all the experiments hey had to miss in the class room because there were no tools for their teachers (growing up during the 90’s and early 00’s I strictly remember we didn’t have a material rolling tube with mirrors explaining the light and reflection) The reflecto-tools were well presented actually. Here’s a fun fact, they have a ‘magic’ box where you put a coin and it disappears!
I know that’s the savings and cash boxes are supposed to work. This one is better. It’s just showing how optical illusions and reflections work. There’s even a cabin where half of you can disappear. My guide tried best to help me with the missing body … while I was joking around.
After that, he reminded me of a book experiment with lenses – look through the lenses and try to score in the basketball ring. Needless to say, I used to play basketball for a while, thought this will be piece of cake. (Dear basketball coach, I failed with style) What’s good is that meant I need no glasses. My eyes were perfect however, the distance through lens shaded my senses and could not even have one point. That experiment was close to the cash desk and I was excited enough to test it, so it was quite a show for them with all the angry jumps and ‘What the hell?’ reactions. I am telling you, these guys definitely have sense of humor. We’re sometimes calling it ‘seir’ in Bulgaria.
Moving on to the next series of experiments – A skeleton riding a bike, mirror reflecting one cat in the corner, drums … Ooow, drums were awesome! Being a complete dork in music, decided to give it a go with that facility and simply waived at the sensors at each drum box until something close to a melody came out. What I tried was ‘ Sweet Child O’mine’ but according to my guide, it ended up as Rihanna. You’ll be surprised but drums were not the only sensor instrument. There was a harp with no strings. Yes, music is physics pretty much and latest technologies turned it into science. That’s no longer art. In case some of you have already tried the instruments, please share how did it go!
My personal favorite is the so-called ‘Dark room’. There’s the bottomless tunnel you can walk over, the light mirror changing your nose and eyes with the ones of the person sitting on the other side and the Tesla spheres. ( I have attached a link to a short video, i took during the five minute interaction with the spheres. I couldn’t let it go …) You hair won’t fly when you touch the electricity spheres but they will most certainly detect the low volume electricity in your body and send light impulses to the glass. It won’t hurt.
Aside from the whole excitement I am trying to express, I will probably cut the spoilers, stop telling you about the machines because there are many more and tell you more about this expo. It’s an interesting solution to explain physics to youngsters and make it even closer to them. The science team from western universities who has developed all these ideas probably had plenty of fun during the process. That’s two floors of fun. I know that some people think that science is a working field for bunch of nerds, incapable of opening a jar. If you’re one of them, please feel free to visit this exposition and give it a go of at least one of the machines!
One of my personal favorite phrases is ‘Science! Yeah!’ just because, it’s describing the field best (when you can’t explain yourself with just a few words).
Considering the tools and height requirement, I wouldn’t recommend it to people in wheelchair but some of the machines would still be good for them. Children under the age of 5 will find it fun rather than getting the idea behind all of this. Tired one of the experiments with the 4yo of a friend and she’s now thinking I am a wizard.
You’ll see an Einstein optical illusion at the end of your visit … or mainly at the entrance where you can take more funny photos and also enter a contest for free visit. I had too much fun to read the information board on the matter but it’s great that my guide told me when we took one of the most ridiculous photo session I have ever had. Knowing some of you may have already seen it on Instagram, I am allowing only one photo here as well.
In the spirit of proper guidance, let’s provide some ideas on how to get here:
There’s no nearby underground however, if you’re a fan of long walks you can arrive at ‘Mladost 1’ station and do a pleasant 15-20 minute walk to The Mall.
Nearby bus stops: ‘Hermes Park’ stop for 1, 3, 5, 6, 76, 204, 213, 304, 305, 604 ; Stop ‘UMBAL St. Anna’ for 5, 8, 84, 184, 306 ; stop ‘Bl. 6 zh. k. Mladost - 1’ - 1, 5, 306
Trolleybus: ‘Bl.6 zh.k. Mladost - 1’ for line number 5
Since you’re well aware of the place and what’s to expect, I can’t wait to hear or see more of your visit or travelling exposition similar to this one that you have experienced. Feel free to share how did your Science Summer go ?