The special exhibitions hall of the country’s premier science and technology museum in Taguig hosted its third ‘MindBurst’ event, a monthly science-themed exhibition, by raising the question, “What is Creativity?” It showcased projects of groups from universities, private groups, and non-profit organizations to help bring the museum’s guest-learners (as visitors to the museum are called) closer to science.

 “There is a misconception that creativity is only for artists. However, creativity can be nurtured and merged with one’s passion through open-mindedness and mastery of skill in any field, be it science or the arts,” says MindBurst organizer Alexandra Limcaco.

A tour at the innovations fair highlighted the multi-disciplinary nature of creativity. On exhibit were:  a flying drone that takes aerial shots, a mobile phone-controlled wheelchair, a soundscape workshop, and children crafting their own toys out of recyclables, an amplifier carved out of bamboo, and culinary delights created by a Junior Master Chef.

The energy efficient cars from the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Manila and the De La Salle University (DLSU) were a standout during the exhibition, Limcaco said. “These two innovations opened the eyes of many of the guest-learners to the growing concern of finding more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly transportation options amid the looming energy crisis and climate change.”

Creative Response to the Energy Challenge

Pilipinas Shell NGO and Stakeholder Relations Manager Ronald Suarez said that the content of the exhibition resonated with the principle of Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) to “apply creativity and innovation into mobility” in ways that help solve real world problems.

While the movement of people and goods, so critical to our daily lives, has been a key driver of globalization, the growing world population and changing mobility landscape have affected our planet’s climate and energy. For its part, Shell is constantly finding ways to move more people and goods safely, cost-effectively, and with reduced impact on the environment through smarter products, smarter infrastructure, and smarter behavior.

Suarez said that the drive towards smarter mobility is the key thrust of the Shell Eco-marathon, an international competition open to young talents all over Asia, the Americas, and Europe.  The students’ task is to design, fabricate, and test-drive their own innovative vehicles to help advance the development of leading technology for greater energy efficiency. Since the Shell Eco-marathon began in 2010, Philippine delegations have demonstrated both promise and determination. Among their laurels is an ultra energy efficient car that can travel hundreds of kms/liter, the equivalent of travelling from Manila to Baguio on a liter of gasoline.

“The fair is about creativity and how innovation can come from creativity. I think that’s what our project is about: thinking out of the box, thinking about innovations for the future,” said Agnes Tan Jaiphen of Team DLSU which won the Technical Innovation Award last year. Bianca Pascual, a member of the TIP Manila team which was presented the 2012 Best Team Spirit Award, remarked, “It started as a school project. Then we were able to compete at the Shell Eco-Marathon abroad, and now we’re here at the Mind Museum for the innovations fair. It’s really a privilege for us to have our car exhibited here. We enjoy entertaining questions from other schools and students who share our interests.”

The MindBurst exhibition provided a unique opportunity for the Shell Eco-marathon organizers to reach a wider audience for its smarter mobility message, and to make the technical work of the student contestants more accessible to kids. Museum guest-learners got the chance to inspect and even ride one of the two eco-cars on display, which both saw action at the Sepang International Circuit in 2012.

For this year’s SEM Asia in July, TIP Manila is developing a new engine for its urban concept car that will run solely on coco diesel. “That is a difficult innovation to pursue,” said Suarez. “You have to develop the chemistry and the mechanics that go behind running an engine that uses 100% biofuel.” Meanwhile, Team DLSU is on track to improve on its already acclaimed battery management system so that even less power is consumed. Its members are also planning on incorporating an android device in their car to further ensure driver safety.

Shell’s long history of providing the fuels, lubricants, technology and other products to move people and goods has included significant contributions to the Mind Museum in Taguig. There are two permanent Shell exhibitions housed in the museum—a section on the Malampaya Deepwater Gas-to-Power project, and a display of the very first car in the Philippines, which is a property of Shell.

Suarez believes no one has the monopoly on creativity: “We’re all given our individual talents and I think you should apply that and try to maximize that to the fullest capacity. I think the Eco-marathon is about that: pushing the boundaries to see how far we can take it. Be a maximizer.”

Visit the Shell Eco-marathon site.

About Smarter Mobility

Shell recognizes that the growing global population and rising prosperity are increasing pressures on mobility or the movement of goods and people. It foresees the number of cars to triple worldwide by 2050, with aviation and shipping growing strongly at the same time. Thus, the company is constantly finding innovative ways to move more people and goods safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment. Examples of smarter mobility are innovative, efficient and sustainable fuels, an infrastructure network for smarter mobility transport, efficient driving practices and eco-friendly vehicles. Learn more about smarter mobility.

About Shell

Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, smarter use, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment, through cleaner burning natural gas and advanced fuels and lubricants technology.   At our operations, safety is our top priority.  Our goal is to have zero fatalities and no incidents that cause harm to our people and neighbours and put our facilities at risk.  We aim to address social concerns and work to benefit local communities, protecting our reputation as we do business.

In the Philippines, Shell represents various companies operating in oil and gas exploration, extraction, refining and delivery of smarter products for clean and fuel efficient transport in the country. Shell’s energy portfolio in the Philippines include the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project which represents roughly 40-45% of Luzon’s power generation requirements, providing the country a considerably long-term revenue stream to the government, in addition to considerable foreign exchange savings.  Being at the forefront of energy and fuel efficiency, Shell advocates for the use of energy more efficiently as the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change through driver education, fuel efficient driving behaviour, and smarter mobility collaboration and strategic partnerships to fuel the country’s progress.  As Shell aims to meet the world’s future energy needs with a diversified energy mix and cleaner energy, we enjoin consumers and businesses to use energy better, to do more with less, and make energy conservation a way of life.

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Enquiries:

Roberto S. Kanapi    

Vice-President for Communications & Government Relations

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation    

E-mail: bobby.kanapi@shell.com

Tel: +63.2.816-6087

Fax: +63.2.814-6494

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