Do you know how a nuclear power plant works? I certainly didn’t till my visit to the Regional Science Centre last week.
A new exhibit, gifted by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), offers visitors a chance to learn about how nuclear power is generated. Inaugurated on November 30, the model is on a scale of 1:150 and is a replica of the 220MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor in the Kalpakkam plant near Chennai.
The exhibit is rather unassumingly installed against a wall near the office. In fact I walked right past it while trying to find someone to talk to. David Ponnudurai, a scientist, says that this was done for a purpose. “This is a very expensive piece and we would prefer that it is kept under supervision.”
As he activates the presentation, it occurs to me that the placement also has enough space for quite a few visitors to stand around and watch.
The explanation is offered in English, Hindi and Tamil and the salient features of the plant like the turbine building, calandria, the generators, reactor building, the fuel rods etc are not just labeled clearly but also lit up with LED lights as the presentation is played. This helps the viewer keep track of what exactly is going on.
SALEM 20/12/2013: Project Director, Regional Science Centre, Coimbatore, T.M. Alagiri Swamy Raju demonstrating a experiment at science work shop in a private school, Salem, Tamil Nadu on Friday. PHOTO: E_LAKSHMI NARAYANAN
Given the fears that the concept of nuclear energy generates, it is not surprising that the presentation takes great care to stress the safety aspects like the installation of automatic computerised systems to shut down the plant.
Much emphasis is laid on how nuclear energy is clean, green and cost-effective.
“Similar exhibits are being established in other science centres as well,” says Dr TM Alagirisamy Raju, director of the centre. “In fact, NPCIL is planning a series of exhibits here that will take up around 1000sqft. Once that area is finished, this model will also be moved there. The purpose of this is to demystify and shed light on the myths behind nuclear power generation.”
Once this presentation is done, I take a quick look at the two huge galleries on the first floor. Fun With Science showcases a number of interactive presentations that help children get a better grip on the concepts they would have read about in their science textbooks; whether it is eddy force or vortex. The materials used range from liquid paints and iron filings to complicated machinery but each presentation has simple explanations in Tamil and English tacked.
The How Things Work gallery demystifies the scientific principles behind the items we use in our daily lives: ranging ballpoint pens to aeroplanes. Since Coimbatore is the textile capital of the state, the centre also has a wide-ranging textile musuem.
“The idea is to trigger interest in science,” says Ponnudurai. “Children must be allowed to touch and activate these.” Then he adds wryly, “There is no use in bringing 100-odd children on a picnic and then expecting them to walk past the exhibits in a straight line.” He accepts that there will be some level of damage but reiterates that there is no other way to kindle a child’s curiosity.
Dr Raju mentions that a new Innovation Hub is being constructed with support from the government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India. “It will take up around 3000sqft and will be an interactive space with exhibits and facilities for weekend programmes. We don’t want to repeat what is taught in the schools. Instead we want children to find out how much fun science can be.”
As I leave the centre, I wish there had been something similar in my childhood. Perhaps I wouldn’t have run screaming into the night when faced with a physics or biology exam.
Info you can use
Winter camp on science and astronomy that will help develop lateral thinking. The interactive workshops will cover astronomy, physical and biological sciences and also have sessions on aero modelling, science behind magic, and origami. Open for students of std VII to IX. A nominal entry fee will be charged.
December 26-28. Last date to register is December 23.
Math talent test, in association with the Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre, Chennai, for students of Stds V to VIII. The test will be based on pattern recognition and best performers from different categories will be awarded cash prices. A nominal entry fee will be charged.
January 7; 11.00 am to 12.30 pm Last date to register is January 7, 2018
Call 0422-2570325 for details and to register
Lecture by KG Kumar, director of Bengaluru’s Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, on Inspiring Innovation and Creativity. All are welcome
December 24; from 10.30 to 11.30 am
All events will take place at the Regional Science Centre on Codissia Road. It is open from 10.00 am to 5.45 pm on all days except January 26, August 15, and October 2.
The centre also hosts regular Meet the Scientists programmes for children and Sky Watching sessions every second Saturday. “This is usually from 7.00 to around 9.00 pm,” says Ponnudurai. “However, it depends on clear skies.”
