LastUpDate: October 12, 2017

Hakata Culture vol.128


Fukuoka City Science Museum: New and Improved and Fun for All Ages

Fukuoka City Science Museum: New and Improved and Fun for All Ages

On Oct. 1, the new and improved Fukuoka City Science Museum will open on the site of Kyushu University’s old Ropponmatsu Campus. Anyone who grew up in Fukuoka is sure to remember its predecessor, the Fukuoka City Children’s Science and Culture Center in Maizuru, which was closed due to the building’s age. The new museum features all-new displays and content as well as a planetarium measuring 25 m in diameter, making it one of the largest in Kyushu. The ultra-high resolution projector re-creates the night sky as close as possible to reality, and the 3-D digital surround sound brings the whole experience to life. The permanent displays cover four areas: Outer Space, The Environment, Science in Our Daily Life, and Life. There are many more hands-on exhibits, not to mention a robot arm that was used in the International Space Station.


Robosquare, which was located in Momochihama, will also relocate to the new Science Museum. The facility was very popular for its workshops that taught children about robots, and when it reopens, it will offer even more options. The new museum will also feature a Science Show Stage, where live, large-scale experiments will be performed for audiences, and an open lab where visitors can try their hand at making science-themed crafts and computer programming. Additionally, there will be a lab where you can watch researchers and creators, who are stationed there full time, conduct research and development right before your eyes.


Koichi Wakata, a graduate of Kyushu University and an astronaut with the record for the longest time spent in outer space by a Japanese person, has been appointed as the Museum’s honorary director. “The People of Outer Space,” an exhibit that will commemorate the Museum’s opening, features exhibits about Mr. Wakata's experiences in space. Special live performances and several other events are also planned to coincide with the Museum’s kick-off. Be sure to stop by the new and improved Fukuoka City Science Museum—it's fun for all ages!



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科学の楽しさがたっぷり詰まった福岡市科学館

 中央区六本松の九州大学キャンパス跡地にオープンする福岡市科学館は、「科学と感性の交流拠点」をコンセプトにした体験施設。以前、中央区舞鶴にあった福岡市立少年科学文化会館は、福岡市で小学校時代を過ごした人は誰もが一度は訪れたことのあるなじみ深い施設ですが、残念ながら老朽化により閉鎖。その内容を、さらにバージョンアップさせて誕生したのがこの施設です。


 注目を集めるのは、直径25メートルの九州最大級のドームシアター(プラネタリウム)。超高解像度の映像によって、限りなく自然に近い星空を再現してくれます。3Dデジタルサラウンドの音響も迫力満点です。また、基本展示室は「宇宙」「環境」「生活」「生命」の4つのテーマに分かれています。体験型の展示を多く取り入れ、国際宇宙ステーションのロボットアームも備えています。


 早良区百道浜にあった「ロボスクエア」も科学館に移転オープン。ロボットと楽しくふれあえると子どもたちに人気でしたが、さらにメニューを充実させます。このほか、大規模な科学実験をライブで見られるサイエンスショーステージや、工作やプログラミングに挑戦できるオープンラボも。加えて研究者やクリエイターが常駐する工房などがあり、実際に研究開発する様子も見学できます。


 名誉館長には、九州大学卒業で日本人として宇宙に最も長く滞在した若田光一さんが着任。開館記念特別展「宇宙なひと」は、若田さんのこうした経験を生かした展示内容となっています。ほかにも開館記念特別講演やスペシャルライブなど、オープンを記念したイベントが目白押し。福岡市科学館には、大人から子どもまで科学を楽しむためのアイデアがたっぷり詰まっています。