I listen and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand ~ Chinese proverb
I think this is the basic rule on which National Science Centre is designed, located at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
The National Science Centre is a constituent unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India. It is a pioneering institute engaged in the popularisation of science among the people of the northern part of India in general and among the students in particular. It was inaugurated on the 9th of January 1992 by the then Prime Minister of India .
I was planning to take my kids to this centre for quite long, somehow managed it this time. As they entered, they saw a magic tap, and their faces lit up, as if they are going to enter some fun world. Just next to it was a synthesizer, which operates with your fingers in air. The sound, the fun, mixed with knowledge.
It has six galleries :
Our Science and technology herit ~ 91 exhibits.
It majorly depicts history of our rich heritage, from Harappan culture to marvels of architecture, from Jantar Mantar to Taj Mahal, discovery of anu, shunya. Many of things which we never know, that they were a part of Indian heritage.
Information revolution ~ 40 exhibits
The story of revolution of information and technology, depicted beautifully, with different models, machinery.
Human biology ~ 80 exhibits
This gallery shows the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, structural, functional and systemic aspects of human body. We pedal a cycle, and a skeleton behind the glass wall on the similar cycle will depict how our different joints are coordinating and moving when we pedal. How spinal cord coordinates when we get a shock, and we do get a mild shock there, when we keep our palms on that exhibit.
Pre historic life ~ 25 exhibits
This is a newly constructed gallery which shows the prehistoric life. The effect is similar to a ghost house, dim lights, electro-pneumatically animated specimens, moving heads of dinosaurs, background voices, give u a different experience altogether.
Fun science ~ 113 exhibits
This was the best gallery for my kids. The mirror maze, rolling balls, all the experiments which can be explained by science, were created in such an interesting way, that they looked like magic. It was based on method of Keep It Simple – Make it Fun.A new facility, 3D – Theatre has been added in this gallery. Sadly we missed it.
They also have a 20 minutes planetarium show, for kids below 15 years of age, which they run on hourly basis.
Emerging technologies ~ 25 exhibits
This section focuses on the revolutionary changes, in different fields. Space, Information and Communication, medical, agriculture etc.
Apart from these galleries, they conduct different programmes for kids, which are very informative and interesting.
Museum is normally a very boring word and a sleepy place, but this museum has redefined this definition. It has something or other, for every age group, interesting, informative, which is fun to learn and understand.
After visiting this place , I realised, there are many things, which kids need to know, learn, which they can’t learn in school, because, they also have their limitation of time and course. But this place, gives them an insight to a variety of topics. Where not only it is shown in an interesting way, but is also interactive. The kids when they stand on a weighing scale can know their weight, and accordingly how many RBC, platelets they have. A pen stick when inserted on right or left side of a brain model, how it connects to limbs, is shown by the skeleton inside the glass case, which is not only interesting and informative, but a lot funny as well.
Further, they have capsules, where they conduct quizzes. Four people can play a quiz and test their levels of intelligence.
Of course, we need a lot of time to imbibe so many things, so they are open from 9 am in the morning till 5 in evening, everyday. They have a small parking in the premises, or else a huge parking ground just opposite NSC is available. For a small entry fee of Rs. 20 for age 5 and above, I think it is a deal, you should not miss.
This place is so huge, information wise, that may be I still missed a lot many things, so who have visited this place, and feel, there is more to add in this review, are surely welcome, and who all have not visited, whenever you visit, please do give me your feedback.
Ref : Internet.