HYDERABAD: Do Science Park, a one-of-its-kind hands-on science centre, is being set up at Sanjeevaiah Park. It will be operational from August 15, and will have nearly 30 exhibits, which will be explained on the basis of the underlying scientific principles.
At the science centre, students will have the opportunity to learn through their interaction with the exhibits. They will be able to explore concepts including gravity, and the working of pendulums, pulleys and levers.
This centre is the brainchild of Aparna Vishwanatham of the Bookmark Projects Trust. She believes that students spend their time reading and focusing on theoretical knowledge while they are in the classroom, and this centre allows them to understand the practical application of that knowledge.
Ms Aparna has teamed up with a few IIM graduates to create an opportunity for learning outside of schools, and to encourage curiosity, innovation and free-spirited thinking among students, to shift the focus from marks and grades. They have been assisted by the Birla Science Museum in the identification of exhibits, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has leased them 5,000 square feet of open space at Sanjeevaiah Park, which is one of the busiest public parks in the state capital, for the establishment of the centre.
At the park, all the equipment and experimental setups will be laid out in the open, and each exhibit will be accompanied by pictures and graphics that are understandable by children. Students will have the opportunity to perform experiments and observe the outcomes for themselves. There will also be a kiosk for children to buy science-related toys, gadgets and books, at reasonable prices in the range of Rs 10 to Rs 500.
Bookmark Projects has invested the money required for the setup of the exhibits. Operation and running costs will be covered by the sale of tickets. Tickets will be priced at Rs 50 for the general public, and it will be free for students from government schools. Ms Aparna says that the exhibits are currently being installed, and they will be ready within a day or two.
There used to be another science centre at Sanjeevaiah Park, but it closed down 15 years ago. Official sources say, “The previous centre was setup at the time of the erstwhile MCH. The equipment was procured, but the centre was not properly maintained, and there were no subject matter experts to guide the children. It was located deep inside the park, because of which there wasn’t much footfall. With the improvement in facilities, footfall at the park has increased drastically.”
