NEMO
Discovering science is child’s play at NEMO. Experiment to your heart’s content in this futuristic building! From childhood memories, you might associate NEMO with a magical world under the sea… And in theory, this is exactly what the NEMO Science Centre in Amsterdam is. Amsterdam actually is located a few meters below sea-level – and NEMO is a magical world of discovery.
Green-clad façade
It all starts with the building itself. Situated where the IJ tunnel starts, the building looks like the prow of a submerged ship looming out of the water. Apparently this was not the architect’s original intention – he was simply mirroring the shape made by the opening of the tunnel. Then there’s the unusual colour of this structure – green! The exterior is clad with copper and with time it has been a bit of a scientific experiment itself, weathering into a fantastic color. The architect is no one other than the renowned award-winning Italian, Renzo Piano, who also designed the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Shard London Bridge (to be one of the tallest buildings in Europe when completed in 2012). Like the NEMO building itself, Piano has both his admirers and detractors.
Learn through play
You don’t really even have to like science to love NEMO. You just have to like to play. With the motto “forbidden NOT to touch.” You have complete license to push all the buttons, pull levers and take things apart – or put them back together again if you prefer. As you work your way around the five floors of this centre, you’ll find out how things in the world around you work. And find answers to questions you might not have even asked yet. If you’re not all that bothered with seeking answers, you can just make liquorice – the Dutch favourite sweet - in the laboratory.
Fun science
One thing is for sure, in NEMO you have no excuse to be bored. The constantly renewed exhibitions, theatre shows, films, workshops and demonstrations are targeted at children between 6 and 16 but are a perfect distraction for all ages. Let a computer decide how good you are on the drums. Will the jury throw roses or tomatoes at you? Discover what you can do with electricity. Make the right connections in the sockets, so that water boils for the potatoes. How about building a house from polystyrene foam and bamboo? And for those who really want to know, find out what you’ll look like in thirty years. Yikes!
Lofty Matters
All this might have you heading for the hills – or maybe just the roof. This is some thirty meters above the IJ river and functions as a terrace with a breath-taking view Amsterdam. Even if you have opted not to go to the museum as a paid visitor, you can visit the roof free of charge by climbing the (steep) stairs from the Prince Hendrikkade. In the summer months, the roof is also a great place to hang out in the deck chairs – there’s even beach sand for the littlest members of the family to play in.
NEMO aims to inspire you to learn more about science and technology. With so many exciting things to do and discover, there just might be too much for one day.
Get inspired at NEMO!
For opening times, admission prices and events listings, see www.e-nemo.nl
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