VIJAYAWADA : The SC and ST students living in social welfare hostels have no clue about the fun and excitement that will come their way in a couple of weeks from now.

To infuse scientific temper and explore their creative zeal, the Regional Science Centre (RCC) of the Andhra Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (APCOST) at Bhavanipuram here, which caters to 10 districts in the Vijayawada region, is clearing the decks for a daylong treat for the children.

The APCOST's proposal has received good support from the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), the Social Welfare Department and the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

The APSRTC is willing to extend some subsidy on transportation of the children from their respective hostels across Krishna and Guntur districts to the RCC, while the APTDC has agreed to provide subsidised lunch to the children at the centre.

"The objective is to create inquisitiveness in the minds of these children, who are otherwise deprived of such a practical knowledge. The attractive life-size models, the interesting demonstrations and the refreshing ambience at the centre is sure to stoke the curious streak in them," says M. Nagesh, the Hyderabad-based project officer of the APCOST. He says the children will be fed on information and entertainment, which will leave a lasting impact on their minds.

"We intend to cover at least 30 hostels, with 20 in Krishna district and 10 in Guntur district, in the first phase of the programme, which is likely to materialise in the second week of March," says Ch. Hemant Kumar, APCOST Field Officer for Vijayawada region.

Besides educating the children through CDs, the programme will also provide for hands-on tools relating to subjects like physics and chemistry to enhance their practical knowledge.

The RCC will also engage local resource persons to deliver lectures on interesting topics. In the first phase, nearly 3,000 students from hostels in the city and nearby places like Vuyyur, Gannavaram, Nuzvid, Machilipatnam, Gudivada and Nandigama will be covered, Mr. Kumar reveals.

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