Science City of Muñoz – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has accredited the Rice Science Museum as a tourist facility and as a Local Government Unit-licensed tourist establishment. 
With its accreditation, the Rice Science Museum is the only DOT and LGU-listed tourist facility in Nueva Ecija registered in the http://visitmyphilippines.com, a DOT-maintained website. In Central Luzon, the Rice Science Museum shares similar accreditation with the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac City.
Ronaldo P. Tiotuico, DOT director in Region III, said that the museum is a “good place to visit and the contents are intellectually stimulating as they present rice culture, traditions, and science in a way that the public will appreciate and understand.”
Recently, the Rice Science Museum went mobile, in partnership with the Museo Pambata, to encourage children to build a career on ensuring the country’s food supply.
In the Paglaki ko, gusto kong maging…. activity of the Philippines’ premier children’s museum, 8 to 12-year-old pupils in Metro Manila imagined themselves as agriculturists in the future.
“Children must learn about this noble career at an early age as it is a career that helps feed the nation,” said Noreen Parafina, Museo Pambata’s programs director.
Meanwhile, Charisma Love B. Gado, senior science research specialist and activity facilitator, said that studies around the world have shown the indispensable role of museums in the society owing to their educational value through informal learning and discovery.
“One of our studies showed indicators that farmers are learning from the museum during their visits. They discuss the contents with their fellow visitors; they can connect the contents with their experiences in everyday lives; and they can share what they have learned to their fellow farmers,” she said.
Since its re-launch in Sept. 2014, the Rice Science Museum has highlighted rice science, art, and technology through material culture of rice-farming communities in the country, labor-and cost-reducing machines, and rice seeds. Collections covering the species found in the rice environment, rice ecosystem, rice grains, and art works have also been exhibited.
Located at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the museum had thus far opened three exhibits titled, Lovelife with Rice, Abundant Harvest, and Colors of Rice. Colors of rice, which focuses on the health and nutrition aspects of rice, will run until Feb. 2016.
For more details, email ricesciencemuseum@philrice.gov.ph.
