MINGLANILLA, Cebu — Hands-On science education in the southern Philippines just got a major upgrade when Anjo World Theme Park, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Central Visayas officially opened the Anjo World Science Discovery Center, located within its 1.5-hectare amusement park in Minglanilla, the first of its kind in the Visayas and Mindanao region to combine interactive science exhibits with theme park entertainment.
"Science should not feel distant or abstract. It should be something people can experience, appreciate, and use in their everyday lives. When a student experiences how an earthquake feels or sees how natural phenomena work, the lesson becomes easier to remember,” stated Dr. Tristan. Abando, Regional Director of DOST Central Visayas.
Echoing this sentiment, Maria Teresa De Guzman, DOST Assistant Secretary for Countryside Development, emphasized that scientific passion starts simple.
"Interest in science doesn't start with a formula. It starts with a question: 'Bakit?' or in Bisaya, 'Ngano?' That curiosity is where science begins, and this Center provides a place where kids can touch, see, and build upon those questions,” De Guzman said.
First soft-launched during the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week in July, the Center features dozens of interactive installations spanning physics, natural hazards, electricity, light, motion, and health.
Designed to take scientific concepts out of textbooks and into real-world experiences, the facility offers visitors a wide variety of immersive exhibits that include Natural Hazards Exhibit, The Game Room and Table-Top Science Exhibits.
The natural hazards exhibit features a cyclone and whirlpool demonstration alongside the "Feel-the-Shake" earthquake simulator, teaching students about natural disaster preparedness and resilience while the game room includes interactive challenges like a Laser Maze and Hide-and-Seek, and the table-top science exhibits showcase fascinating devices including a Tesla Coil, Van de Graaff Generator, Jacob’s Ladder, Bernoulli Blower, Vertical Lightning Ball, and an Optical Fiber display.
To bridge the gap between park-play and classroom learning, each exhibit is equipped with QR codes. Students can scan them to answer trivia questions directly aligned with the MATATAG Curriculum. Visitors also gain access to DOST-STARBOOKS, the department’s digital S&T library, DOST-7 bared.
During the grand opening, leadership from both DOST and Anjo World highlighted the transformative power of curiosity-driven education. For Anjo World Theme Park President Chester Lim, opening the center fulfills a long-standing vision to combine fun with meaningful learning.
"We are opening a door—to curiosity, imagination, discovery, and possibility. Our hope is that every student who enters these doors leaves with curiosity. Perhaps one day, a future scientist or engineer will say, 'It all started when I discovered something at Anjo World,” Lim shared.
The facility is already seeing massive public
interest, recording over 1,000 confirmed bookings prior to its official launch.
The Science Discovery Center is expected to become a primary field trip and
learning destination for school tours, families, and young learners across the
Visayas and Mindanao region. (Photos: DOST-7)
