Science City will open a new mathematics laboratory, including a mobile unit and Ramanujan Gallery by August-end.
“The Rs.70 lakh facility is part of the government's efforts to inspire students without access to such facilities and help them gain understanding of mathematics,” said P. Iyamperumal, vice-chairman of Science City.
This would enable students to learn by exploring mathematical concepts and verify facts and theorems.
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“The works of Ramanujan would also be on display at the gallery. Students would be able to understand his contribution to mathematics,” said Mr. Iyamperumal.
The conversion of two-dimensional objects to three dimension, demonstration of Euclidean geometry, model of Pythagoras theorem, pi pavilion, e pavilion and conic section would be some of the attractions.
Initially, over 50 tools and pieces of equipment would be part of the laboratory. Later, it would be increased.
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Other exhibits include the express route, elliptical table, musical tubes, illusions, sympathetic swings, find your age, find your height, transfer of momentum, cone runs uphill, probability curve and a quiz corner.
The laboratory would also have provisions for explanation to understand concepts such as magic square.
“Most of the students have a fear of mathematics as they are not able to understand simple concepts. Here, students can play with tools to understand mathematical concepts such as eccentricity of an ellipse,” said R. Srinivasan, the scientific officer in charge of the laboratory.
For example, the child understands the basic concepts of trigonometry using the ‘know your height' exhibit. He or she gains understanding of binary decimals by playing with the exhibit of ‘find your age.'
The lab would have exhibits on ancient numerals, place value in ancient India, geometry in Indian Art, symmetry, timeline in mathematics development and probability concepts. The students would internalise and verify the basic mathematical concepts through tangible objects and situations, Mr. Srinivasan added.
The mobile unit with 24 display materials would cover remote parts of the State and create awareness and enthusiasm among teachers and students. All the districts in the State would be covered in three years. This would build interest among rural students learning the subject and encourage them to think.
The concrete objects, charts, models, graphs, posters and pictures would explain and reinforce abstract mathematical ideas by relating mathematical concepts with everyday life, Mr. Srinivasan said.