A new centre to transform science education

Sub-Regional Science Centre and Planetarium opens in Puducherry today

May 03, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:47 am IST - PUDUCHERRY:

PUDUCHERRY, 02/05/2015: (FOR PAGE 3) G.S. Rautela, Director of National Council of Science Museums, addresses the media in Puducherry on Saturday. Also in the picture are (from right), K.G. Kumar and K. Madangopal, of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru. Photo: S.S. Kumar

PUDUCHERRY, 02/05/2015: (FOR PAGE 3) G.S. Rautela, Director of National Council of Science Museums, addresses the media in Puducherry on Saturday. Also in the picture are (from right), K.G. Kumar and K. Madangopal, of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru. Photo: S.S. Kumar

With future plans to set up a space exhibition centre in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a unique Marine Gallery section, the Sub-Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Puducherry are expected to transform science education here.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, a day before the inauguration of the centre, G.S. Rautela, Director, National Council of Science Museums, (NCSM) Kolkata, said this is the 47th such science centre in India which has been set up by the NCSM. “The science centres have been designed to popularise science and improve the quality of science education in the country. The interactive exhibits will help visitors understand science processes, while the outdoor science park explains scientific principles through play,” said Mr. Rautela.

The centre here will host science and sky observation camps, competitions, and train teachers as it is part of the network of science centres across India. Students in and around Puducherry will get opportunities to participate in Science and Robotics Olympiads, national and international science competitions.

Mr. Rautela said there has been increased demand for such science centres across the country, and another 21 are under process.

“The centre will also feature an innovation hub which will encourage students to set up innovative products and processes, aided by lectures by innovators. This will inspire a culture of innovation in India, said Mr. Rautela. Travelling exhibitions from other science centres would also be hosted here. Exhibits at the centre would be constantly updated, he added.

K.G. Kumar, Director, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM), Bengaluru, said the centre was working on the modalities of setting up a space exhibition centre in association with ISRO. The Science Centre and Planetarium here has been executed under the guidance of the VITM, and has been handed over to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Puducherry government for operation.

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