The main exhibition of the Lagos Ciência Viva Science Centre (CCVL), "From Astrolabe to GPS", deals with Discoveries and Navigation. It was from Lagos that many caravels left for unknown lands but you will end up really disappointed if you think you are going to find a nostalgic place, focused on a bored distant past. Although the exhibition is dedicated to the Discoveries, CCVL has an interesting and modern approach to the evolution from past times, until now. From 3D printers to 3D pens, robots, an arena for chain reactions, drones in the pool and robots, you can explore CCVL and discover an interesting bridge going along the evolution of times.
The exhibition starts at the Welcome Onboard room
In this room you can be surprised by our digital book telling the story of the Discoveries. In addition to having a lot of science behind the discoveries, it leads you to explore the way our sailors used to think and devised new instruments and techniques. In the shoes of a Portuguese sailor, you can explore the instruments that allowed the brave men to locate themselves in the middle of the sea, you can understand some of their decisions and routes during Discoveries. And never forget: it was when Portuguese explorers headed to India that accidentally discovered Brazil.
On-board communication room
Come and explore some of the communication techniques used to communicate over distance. From assembling a radio, to play a Morse Code game, you are challenged to make teams and decode a five-letter word as quickly as possible, using the traffic light code. The fastest team, wins!
Sala Vida a Bordo
Life is not easy on board a vessel! In this room you can explore some curiosities, know the different parts of a ship and learn an essential task: how to tie cables properly. There are several types of knots suitable for different purposes. In this Room, you can improve your skills in the arts of mooring. Actually,
it's really worth it asking a staff member for help. The demonstration can turn into a real illusionist show: knots disappearing with a breath and escape exercises involving rope handcuffs…just like Houdini!
Sala do Submarino
A yellow Submarine! You can not visit us without spending some time maneuvering this iconic submarine, exploring the seabed, looking through the periscope and enjoying the permanent sound of its sonar.
Jardim do Farol
The visit to our Science Centre is not completed without going through the Lighthouse Garden. In this Garden there is a tower to be built and a lighthouse to be kept on, a neverending task.
Jardim do Barco
Finally, in the Boat Garden you can cool off in our tank, blowing the wind on the sails of small caravels to set them sailing and explore some instruments and concepts. Also, there is a replica of a giant size caravel where the treasure chest waits to be opened…only those who can look beyond the obvious will open it. Enjoy our open space at its best!
