Sophie's First Field Trip

When Sophie’s teacher wrote about the field trip, Sophie and I were just so psyched. I explained to her what it was about and what to expect and that I will be there to accompany her.

So finally, THE day. I woke up early again to cook her request—red sauce spaghetti. I also prepared all the chips, snacks (carrots and cucumber) and mushroom. Since the school bus did not tell us that they are fetching us by 530 AM(!), Sophie and I took the cab to school. It was raining hard and it took a while. Good thing we got there right in time! The group was about to board bus 2.

For the trip, we had three places on the IT--Crocoseum (near CCP), the Nido Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia and The Robot Zoo, also at the same mall. 

First stop, Crocoseum. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crocodile-Park-Manila/203027429727335)

 Originally based in Davao, The Crocodile Park Manila is a popular field trip destination. Located in the grounds of Boom na Boom in Pasay, the place is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.  

Crocoseum doesn’t have crocodiles—live ones at that. They do have animal bones though and stuffed animals which does nothing, onestly, but scare the kids. Come on, who wants to see dead gorilla? There are a couple of fun, interactive activities which Sophie liked: coloring on top of a fish fossil, sweeping off dusts off a fossil etc. There was also a big snake skin which according to the guides has been there since last year, which I asked her to touch, and but refused, only to be told that she did when I wasn’t looking!

However, because it was particularly rainy and because there were a lot of us, the place did look cramped and humid. The video show at the end of the tour also failed because the room was small and not everyone were able to sit down. The kids were standing on top of the bleachers so that those sitting at the back cannot see. The washrooms did not look as clean too so, I told Sophie to hold it until we get to our next stop, which was Blue Wave, for lunch.

After lunch, the group proceeded to Mall of Asia (yey for clean restrooms!) to visit Nido Discovery and the Robot Zoo. 

Stop 2: Nido Discovery 

The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center (NFSDC) is the first technology-based, highly interactive Science center in the country, according to  its Facebook page. It is located in a 3000m, two-level facility at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. It has been in operation for 5 years now. 

 Sophie's class first went to the Planetarium where everyone was treated to a video presentation entitled One World, One Sky, with Elmo and Big Bird (http://www.sciencediscovery.ph/sdc/planetarium). I slept through half of the presentation though, which took about an hour.

After the Planetarium viewing, we were toured around the various stations.

The Transportation Nation features the modes of transportation that we have--both past and present, including animals and two wheels. It was disappointing for someone like me who loves cars because I felt like there are other cars that should have been included. 

Other stations include: All About You, Be Connected, Earth and Space, Marine Adventure, Go Green.

Finally, Robot Zoo. (http://www.sciencediscovery.ph/robot-zoo)

So last stop was at the Robot Zoo. This is personally my favorite amongst all that we have visited. I think Sophie liked it too. They are more interactive, more interesting and large robot animals were just plain cool.

Sophie and I both love the chameleon activity where they asked the kids to put on a leopard printed fabric and stand against the leopard printed wall. See the picture, you can only see her head. 

Sophie also liked the hang time where she held on for a few seconds like a bat. 

I thought the activities were quite short but after the stops, Sophie and I were both so pooped I wasn't able to go to the gym when we got home!