Social Studies & Education Report: Popularization of Science through Science Centres: A Case Study of Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai Cultivation of science should include knowledge of science as well as capacity to recognize the misuse of science. We live in exciting times, for it is the century of science and technology. Informal science learning environments (e.g., science museums, zoos and outdoor settings; youth programs; science media) could be utilized to maximize this end. Informal science learning can take place in many environments, e.g., natural history parks, geological sites, zoos, botanical gardens, industry, science museums and nature centres. Informal science learning through field trips will include the following features: Voluntary, Unstructured, Un-sequenced, No assessed, Unevaluated, Open-ended, Learner-led, Learner-centred, Out-of-school context, Non-curriculum-based, Many unintended outcomes, Less directly measurable outcomes, and Social intercourse. Link to full report: https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/sample-report-two Some of the provisions which are related to the spread of science through science museums and science centres and other informal agencies in the S&T Policy of the Government of India published in 2003 are as follows: _ To ensure that the message of science reaches every citizen of India, man and woman, young and old, so that we advance scientific temper, emerge as a progressive and enlightened society, and make it possible for all our people to participate fully in the development of science and technology and its application for human welfare. Indeed, science and technology will be fully integrated with all spheres of national activity; _ To promote the empowerment of women in all science and technology activities and Public awareness of Science & Technology constitutes an important part of the latest S&T Policy (2003) of the Government of India. _ There is growing need to enhance public awareness of the importance of science and technology in everyday life, and the directions where science and technology is taking us. Programmes will also be developed to promote learning and dissemination of science through the various national languages, to enable effective science communication at all levels. In general the activities of science museums and science centres have been identified as an area for promoting public awareness of science & technology and the Government of India has given a special thrust in this area. To achieve the objectives of spread of science among the masses including school children, the role of science museums or centres facilitating interaction with science and technology becomes vital. These museums or centres are characterized as non-formal or informal science education institutions. The Science Centre activities can present the thrill of science to the students starting from the school level and therefore, supplement formal school education by its doing science approach. The policies of the Government of India related to Science & Technology Museums and Centres received a thrust when a Task Force constituted by the Planning Commission of the Government of India recommended fast growth in infrastructure and activities of science museums. Riding on these recommendations, the present infrastructure of about 40 science museums and science centres has been created. The task force saw immense potential of the Science Museums for
creation of science awareness and a scientific temper among the people at large and made several recommendations. The Centre at Mumbai was started with a pioneering approach towards science education through fun and enjoyment by way of creating an outdoor “Science Park”. For the first time, science learning was to take place outside the four walls. Nehru Science Centre, first conceived as a Science & Technology Museum in late sixties, took final shape as India’s largest interactive science centre in 1977 to match the world trends in such public institutions. The full- fledged science centre was finally opened to public on November 11,1985.. National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), the parent body of Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, with its 29 Science Centres / Museums all over the country, has the best infrastructure and skilled manpower to conceptualize, design, develop and organize high quality science exhibits and other related educational programmes and activities Nehru Science Centre, among the four National level Science Museums in NCSM, working as the Western Zone Headquarters with five science centres in Nagpur, Calicut, Bhopal, Dharampur and Goa under its umbrella caters to the people in the Western part of India. The centre attempts to enhance public understanding of science and spread scientific literacy. The scientific literacy development or enhancing public understanding of science programs of every nation necessarily attempt to bridge the gap between the knowledge of common people and the creation of new knowledge in science and technology. The objective of the science centre is thus to create awareness and knowledge of scientific habits, adoption of method of science in day-to-day activities and development of scientific attitudes/ temper to improve quality of lives of people. Recently National Council of Science Museums (NSCM) has felt the need for impact assessment of Indian Science Museum/Centre activities. Preparations are on in some of the Science Centres. The researcher undertook the impact study of NSC, Mumbai in 2005 as a part of her PhD programme in order to understand the impact of science centre in spreading science among the common people which in turn will help in reshaping the science centre movement in the country in terms of processes and priorities. View Report: https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/sample-report-two The problem, methodological issues and plan of study On the basis of discussion in the introductory chapter the investigator perceived Nehru Science Centre (NSC), Mumbai as a unique instance of Science Centre in India in order to know the impact of science centres in the spread of science. The NSC has the best infrastructure and skilled manpower to conceptualize, design, develop and organize high quality science exhibits and other related educational programmes and activities. The problem selected for the present study is ‘Impact of Science Centres in the Spread of Science: A case Study of Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai’ Contact: Norah Trent sales@wiseguyreports.com
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