Opened in 1997, the geometrically shaped National Museum of Science & Technology sits on 19 hectares of land. It extends along the north and south sides of Jiouru 1st Road and is the first museum of Applied Sciences in Taiwan. Internationally, it is only second to the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris, France.The NSTM collects and studies technological artifacts, presents themed exhibitions, promotes technology education and provides visitors with a place for leisure and education. Situated on the large lawn entrance the "Hun Tian Yi" was invented by the ancient Chinese to study the sky. The "Tower of Hope" across the road acts as a clock. These are two of NSTM's largest exhibitions. This museum along with the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Hengchuan, are considered Taiwan's top three science museums.