Science Hall Opened by a Scientist

“Science museums do not have to be huge and state-of-the-art.”

Lim Sang-hoon (51), chief researcher of the Korea Institute of Energy Research in the Daedeok Science Town, established the “Energy Ecology Science Museum” (www.ecotry.com) at his own expense.

The museum was officially registered as the 42nd science museum in the National Science Council in which the head of National Science Museum serves as chairman. It is the first time that a person in a private capacity has established and registered a science museum.

Dr. Lim bought a farm house in Baek-am-ri, Boksu-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam Province in November 2000. He has run the house as an exhibition hall for renewable energy and ecological construction.

“Instead of reconstructing the hall, I renovated the house in order not to make any waste. The hall is self-sufficient in generating electricity because it is equipped with solar energy panels, a windmill, and equipment that turn sunlight and wind into electricity.

He registered the hall as a science museum in an attempt to equip it with various materials for making cars powered by solar energy and wind power models, and with materials for ecological construction.

On weekdays, visitors are allowed to browse through the museum on their own. On weekends, Dr. Lim guides the visitors. For more information, call 042-860-3517.

Myung-Hun Jee mhjee@donga.com