I visited the Science Museum of Luanda and left feeling inspired.

I managed to convince my husband to join me on a visit to the new Luanda Science Center. And guess what? We both turned into kids again. That’s what science does — it awakens our purest curiosity and takes us back to childhood, where every question leads to an exciting discovery.

Right from the entrance, you can tell this is much more than just a museum. Located along Luanda’s iconic Marginal, the building — once a soap factory — has been transformed into a space of knowledge and wonder. It’s a pioneering institution in Angola, designed to make science accessible, interactive, and truly captivating for all ages. And trust me, it succeeds!

We started with the “Soap Factory” exhibition, where we learned about the history of the building itself. We saw the entire soap-making process and could almost smell the past blending with today’s innovation.

Then we dove into the MIM exhibition, an exciting journey through the human body. We laughed, tested our reflexes, and learned about healthy lifestyles — all in a fun and engaging way. Next was the Infinite Factory, designed for children aged 3 to 6. Machines, building blocks, interactive games… everything created to build skills through play.

We also explored UAU, where physics, maths and perception psychology come alive through mind-bending experiments. And in POP, we were enchanted by soap bubbles forming perfect geometric shapes — a beautiful way to experience chemistry, physics, and maths through play.

We watched a documentary in the Planetarium, powered by cutting-edge technology. In a fully immersive 360° dome, we took a visual journey through the cosmos — from distant stars to the secrets of our own Solar System. A seamless blend of science and magic.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the Dinosaurs exhibition! From small replicas to a 5-meter-tall T. Rex, we stepped into the Mesozoic Era and got a glimpse of what life was like back then. And once again, we were filled with that wide-eyed childhood wonder.

One of the highlights was the ETU exhibition — “ETU” means “us” in one of Angola’s national languages. This space takes you on a journey through Angola’s diversity: its landscapes, natural resources, biodiversity, people, culture, and art. It’s a beautiful and authentic portrait of the country, rich in pride and identity.

Three hours flew by, and we still hadn’t seen everything! We didn’t get to explore the Butterfly Garden (which was temporarily closed), the Science Kitchen (where you can experiment with everyday food ingredients to learn chemistry), the Media Library, the Multipurpose Room, the Science Lab, or even the Cinema with 4DX chairs, where science is as thrilling as any movie.

Outside, there’s even more fun — you can make melodies, become a human yo-yo, or even act as a living sundial. All this while spotting relics of the former soap factory spread around the grounds.

It was an unforgettable morning filled with learning, laughter and discovery. I left feeling inspired and with the strong sense that this place will have a huge impact — not just on its visitors, but on the future of science in Angola.