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MagnifiScience Centre

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MagnifiScience Centre
میگنفی سائنس سینٹر
Viewed from west to east
Map
EstablishedSeptember 2021[1]
LocationPlot no 1 RY-15 Railway Quarter, Karachi, 75530, Pakistan
Coordinates24°50′48″N 67°00′11″E / 24.846663°N 67.002978°E / 24.846663; 67.002978
TypeScience Centre
AccreditationInternational Council of Museums (ICOM), Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres (ASPAC)
Collection sizeOver 400 exhibits[2]
DirectorShakeel Ahmed
CEOSyed Fasihuddin Biyabani[3]
ChairpersonSabrina Dawood (Vice-Chair)
ArchitectMadiha Ghani
OwnerThe Dawood Foundation
WebsiteMagnifiScience Centre

The MagnifiScience Centre (MSC) is an independent science center in Karachi, with a mission to develop among the populace an interest in scientific thinking, scientific literacy, and scientific methods through engagement with interactive exhibits and programmes.

The MSC’s multistorey building, located in the City Railway Colony of Saddar,[4] opened to the public in September 2021.[1] Following its vision "science is for everyone", MSC promotes scientific literacy through experiential informal learning channels which spark curiosity, and encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.[5] The MSC aims to remove barriers to STEM education for the public, particularly for marginalised communities and differently abled persons.

The Science Centre features over 400 interactive exhibits that enable visitors to get a hands-on understanding of different science concepts and relate them to daily life.[6][2]

The MagnifiScience Centre is a project and run by The Dawood Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP).

Origins of MagnifiScience

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In 2016, The Dawood Foundation conducted its first science exhibition, called MagnifiScience exhibition at the Dawood Public School.[7] Due to its success, it was held again the following year at the same premises. Thereafter, Pakistan's first science studio - TDF MagnifiScience Children's Studio - was opened in 2018.[8] In October 2018, a science exhibition was held in Islamkot, Sindh.[9] An increasing need for a larger space led to the start of the construction of the building in 2019.[10]

In November 2021, the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, officially inaugurated the Science Centre.[11]

Building architecture

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View across the floors inside the MagnifiScience Centre

The Science Centre building spread over ground-plus-three-floor has been designed Madiha Ghani of Shahab Ghani and Associates.[12] The MSC is a pre-engineered building, which is seismically sound, and conceptualised to minimise environmental impact. As part of its green initiatives, the premises feature a solar power system and a wastewater recycling system.

Interior and exhibitions

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The over 400 exhibits across the floors showcase different themes addressing various scientific topics and concepts that are pertinent in the Pakistani context. These include different architectural and cultural elements of Karachi, sources of food, constructions and modes of transportation.[13] The facility also covers the themes of human body, light, sound, illusions, mathematics, and physics including renewable energy, telecommunication, engineering, astronomy, and the ocean.[14][15]

In addition to the main exhibition areas, there is also a simulation of mangrove ecosystem installed inside the building which highlights the importance of native flora and fauna along Pakistan’s coastline.[16][17]

In the centre’s auditorium, science-related documentaries are screened as well as science-related program and workshops are held on a regular basis.

Outdoor areas

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The original property of the science centre was formerly a colonial warehouse building located within the historic Railway Quarter. Adjacent to the property, passes the Karachi Circular Railway and the adjoining areas have a series of warehouses constructed during the British Raj. The site was originally owned by Ralli Brothers Ltd in 1888.[13] Today, the only remains of the warehouse are the stone boundary walls around the entire venue and a gatehouse which have been restored to bring back their original character as much as possible.[1]

The outdoor area comprises also the centre’s Science Garden[1] which features a playground, a natural maze and many indigenous trees and plants.

In front of the building are a few outdoor exhibits, games, and a pond featuring science-related-information about its organisms living within.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hasan, Shazia (4 October 2021). "A much-needed addition to city's lacklustre science landscape". DAWN.COM. Dawn News. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "MagnifiScience Centre includes exhibition about oceans". TheNews.com.pk. The News International. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Organizational Announcement" (PDF). The Dawood Foundation. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ^ Azam, Oonib (15 October 2021). "A praiseworthy endeavour to foster children's interest in science". www.thenews.com.pk. The News International. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  5. ^ Khan, Saadeqa (28 November 2021). "پاکستان میں اپنی نوعیت کی پہلی کاوش، ٹی ڈی ایف میگنی فائی انٹریکٹو سائنس سینٹر". DW.COM (in Urdu). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  6. ^ Kamran, Sadia (10 January 2022). "A 'Magnificent' Day Out". Aurora Magazine. Dawn News. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  7. ^ "20,000 plus students attend 'Magnifi Science Exhibition' on first day". The Express Tribune. Express Tribune. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Karachi gets its first-ever MagnifiScience Children's Studio". www.thenews.com.pk. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Bringing Science in Thar!". Engineering Review. Vol. 43, no. 21. Karachi. November 2018. pp. 16–18. ProQuest 2158117320.
  10. ^ Bhatti, Henna (30 March 2020). "Blog from Science Museum Group trip to Pakistan". ICOM UK. Retrieved 9 April 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "New world is all about science, technology: President". Associated Press of Pakistan. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  12. ^ "TDF MagnifiScience Centre". MagnifiScience Centre. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  13. ^ a b Rizvi, Sibte Hassan (12 October 2021). "کراچی: ملک کا پہلا انٹر ایکٹو سائنس سینٹر قائم". Hum News (in Urdu). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. ^ Mukhtar, Hira (24 November 2021). "Pakistan launches a MagnifScience Center in Karachi". The Diplomatic Insight. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  15. ^ Fatimah, Aleezeh (27 August 2024). "'Ocean Odyssey' brings fun and learning to life". dawn.com. Dawn. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  16. ^ Reporter, Ahmad News (11 March 2022). "MagnifiScience Centre, Karachi: Timings, Locations & More". Reuters.pk. Retrieved 9 April 2022.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ Baker, Aryn (23 June 2022). "The Miraculous Trees That Could Save Pakistan's Largest City from Climate Disaster". Time. Vol. 200, no. 1. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
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See also

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