Russian Science Day was celebrated at the Primorsky Aquarium on February, 8. The event was entitled “Life Hacks from the Nature”. It educated about innovations inspired by nature and introduced the visitors to bionics and biotechnology, biomorphic design and organic architecture.
The celebration began with the performance of Plasticine, a modern dance studio. Young dancers presented their choreographic works on the fragility of beauty, the challenges of being different, and more. This show charged the guests with positive energy.
The next activity scheduled was popular lectures “Nature Will Tell”. Mariia Vitman, Head of the Exhibit Department, gave a presentation about bionic architecture. The next speaker Konstantin Kiselev, Head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology, FSC of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, FEB RAS, is a highly esteemed researcher, who defended his dissertation for Doctor of Sciences degree just days ago. We are happy that he found time in his busy schedule and shared with us the latest developments in plant biotechnologies in the Russian Far East. He told us about the search for new sources of biologically active compounds, the genetic engineering methods that helped improve agriculture plants, and about a common flowering plant rockcress that had some unique qualities. Aigiul Ovchinnikova, one of the earliest alumni of the “Growing up at the Aquarium” project, gave the final talk. She is currently a fifth-year medical student of hand surgery, and her lecture explored how bionic prosthetic hands helped people recover their lives.
After the lectures, the visitors could choose between three options: to go on a behind-the-scene tour “Technologies of Life” (16+) and learn about the life support system of the Aquarium, to travel through a series of education stations “Life Hacks from the Nature”, or to take part in an art workshop “Radiolarian Miracle” in the Art Gallery.
The series of education stations offered insights into different aspects of bionics. They explored the issues of biotechnology and GMO; showed a variety of skeletons in radiolarians, unicellular planktonic protozoa; and looked at how biomorphic design is used to create a good habitat for people. Robot fish, smart birds and mammal-like robots were displayed, as well as examples of the use of biomechanics in creating cars and all kinds of devices.
The visitors of the “Plants as Inventors” station discovered amazing adaptations of some plants. For example, the seeds of a burdock that cling to animals’ fur and to people’s clothes gave people an idea to develop a hook-and-loop fastener, also called ‘velcro’. “Couturier by Nature” station gave each guest an opportunity to try their hands in fashion design, turning to nature for inspiration. The last station featured examples of bionic architecture, particularly the Main Building of the Primorsky Aquarium, the roof of which is shaped like a giant clam shell. The participants could unleash their creativity and design an alternative version of the roof based on bionics principles.
During the art workshop “Radiolarian Miracle”, kids and adults could either make a small souvenir bottle with a radiolarian inside, or create a pop-up greeting card adorned with an elaborate shell of this planktonic organism. Many participants chose the second project as an excellent gift option for the upcoming holidays.
Russian Science Day hosted by the Primorsky Aquarium attracted lots of visitors. Many people came as families, and quite few of them have been regular attendants. The Senchenkos were one of such families. “We’ve been joining the Aquarium’s celebrations for three years, and we enjoyed absolutely all of them,” said Olga Senchenko. “The team are amazing in creating festive and fascinating atmosphere and we also learn so much! Not only my son Mark, Planet KidsArium’s student, is keen on these celebrations, but me, too.”
Mark commented that he would certainly continue attending Planet KidsArium program, one of the stages in the “Growing up at the Aquarium” project, and hoped to go through all of the stages.
Watch here a video of the Russian Science Day celebration at the Primorsky Aquarium.
