Four million visitors to Belgium's Technopolis

Flanders’ minister president Kris Peeters was in Mechelen yesterday to welcome the four millionth visitor to Technopolis, the popular hands-on science centre. Some 700 local school students attended the ceremony and took part in a science quiz. 

Peeters also took a test drive on the first fuel-cell hydrogen bus built for the Flemish transport authority De Lijn. Developed by the Lier-based manufacturer Van Hool, the buses cut toxic emissions by emitting only water vapour. The one introduced yesterday is the first of five due to enter service on bus routes in Antwerp.

Technopolis was established by the government of Flanders in 2000 to bring the general public closer to science and technology. It has about 260 interactive installations, including a bed of nails, an aircraft simulator and a bicycle that can cross a tightrope. It is ranked among the three best science centres in Europe, along with Heureka in Finland and Techniquest in Wales.

photo: Flanders’ minister-president Kris Peeters sits behind the wheel of De Lijn’s new hydrogen-powered bus, introduced at Technopolis yesterday

© courtesy Gazet van Antwerpen