Science Express &Schedule

Today I gone to Science express.  I am sharing that details with my blog friends. 

Introduction

Science Express’ is an innovative science exhibition mounted on a specially designed train. The 16 coach AC rake was especially fabricated for Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India by the Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala. Majority of the exhibits have been designed & developed by Max Planck Society (MPS), Germany, a Noble laureate powerhouse.

Objective

One of the major objectives of this unique classroom-on-wheels is to nurture curiosity amongst our youth and encourage them to pursue higher studies and careers in science. This flagship venture of National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, also attempts to develop scientific temper amongst the masses. Further, it strives to take modern research out of the lab and reveal just how relevant science is to everyday life. The visitors of this state-of-the-art exhibition can learn how science enables the society to face the global challenges of the 21^st century.

Journey so far

The inaugural edition of the ‘Science Express’ was flagged off from New Delhi on 30 October 2007 by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Chancellor of Germany. Since then, it has been showcased in over 220 locations across India. The exhibition, which has created several records, received overwhelming response at all the halts. So far, over 63 lakh visitors, mostly students, have enjoyed learning about cutting-edge research in science, explained through interesting audio-visual exhibits and interactive tools.

Science Express - Phase IV    

The Science Express is currently traveling in its fourth phase scheduled till 16 June 2011, during which it would travel to 57 locations, mostly not covered earlier, traveling across the length & breadth of the country and covering about 18,000 kms. At each of the locations, it would halt generally for 3-4 days, during which students as well as general public would visit the exhibition. The itinerary (schedule) of the Phase IV is attached.

The exhibition

This sparkling white, fully air conditioned train, showcases more than 300 large-format visual images, over 150 video clips and multimedia exhibits, which deals extensively with cutting-edge research in science and technology. In the 12 exhibition coaches, most of the exhibits have been developed by MPS, Germany while some indigenous exhibits have been displayed besides brief sketches of those great Indian scientists whose contribution is unparalleled. Through these, the visitors would explore a wide gamut of issues in science in a fascinating manner and delve into the mysteries of our world; groundbreaking discoveries, emerging issues, cutting-edge science and future-oriented technologies. The coaches have exhibits on the following:

- On the way to the Big Bang                       - Climate Change

- Nanocosmos                                             - Global challenges

- Building blocks of life                               - Spaceship earth

- From ‘gene to organism’                           - Our home in the cosmos

- Architecture of the mind                          - The universe

- The world of senses                                 - Science and technology in India

- Technologies of future                             - The Joy of Science

One coach showcases India’s glorious legacy and achievements in IT, Biotech, Space, Nanotechnology, and so on and also future programmes in S&T besides film shows on innovations, inventions, discoveries and topical issues.

Additional attractions of Phase IV

A dedicated coach on ‘Climate Change– Cause, Effect and Mitigation’, sponsored by HSBC, under the ‘Earth Sciences Forum’, its joint initiative with DST, has been redesigned and updated. It was introduced in the last phase, along with several related platform based activities, has been quite popular amongst the visitors.

Panels on Indian scientists and their contribution in various disciplines of science

To celebrate the ‘International Year of Chemistry – 2011; Science Express is showcasing details of the Periodic Table and elements on the window panes of the coaches. The visitors can learn many features of each element while waiting on the platform.

Exhibition on ‘Water’ from Nestle and Swiss Embassy.

Working models like ‘Your age on other Planets’ and ‘Mouse movement motion sensor’.

Management of ‘Science Express’

Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), Ahmedabad has once again been entrusted by DST with the task of coordinating & managing the ‘Science Express’ across India. A well trained & highly motivated team of Science Communicators of VASCSC aboard the train explain & interprets the exhibits, answer queries and facilitates the visitors.

How to visit and participate

The exhibition, open to all, is primarily targets high school and college students. Students are encouraged to visit this exhibition in large numbers and take advantage of this innovative endeavor. More information is available on the website www.sciencexpress.in.

For visit to the exhibition or any queries, please send an email to sciencexpress@gmail.com or contact the Project Coordinator aboard the train (mobile: 08690444407).

The students can conduct hands-on experiments in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths in the ‘Joy of Science Lab’ of VASCSC in the Coach No.13. High school students can participate in the ‘Joy of Science (JOS) Lab’ in small batches of up to 20 students, by prior registration. For participating in the JOS Lab, please send an email to vascsc.jos@gmail.com  or contact the Lab in-charge (mobile: 09428405408).

Team Science Express solicits cooperation from all the concerned departments, media, institutions and individuals in giving wider publicity to this prestigious exhibition on wheels, so that a large number of visitors are benefited and make the programme a grand success.

Please Note: The exhibition is primarily for students of Standard IX and above. There is no entry fee for the exhibition. Not allowed on the Science Express: Items like mobiles, cameras, bags, match-boxes, cigarettes, beedis, tobacco, water bottles, any liquid, and any sharp pointed objects. Venue: Railway station of the respective city Timing: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Science Express - Biodiversity Special 
Schedule  (5 June 2012 – 22 December 2012)

No. Station Exhibition Dates 1 Delhi Safdurjung 05 - 07 June 12 2 Patna 09 – 10 June 12 3 Rangiya 12 – 13 June 12 4 Mariani (Jorhat) 14 – 16 June 12 5 Dibrugrah 17 – 20 June 12 6 Dimapur 21 – 22 June 12 7 Kamakhya (Guwahati) 23 – 26 June 12 8 Siliguri 27 – 29 June 12 9 Malda Town 30 June – 03 July 12 10 Howrah 04 – 05 July 12 11 Dhanbad 06 – 09 July 12 12 Ranchi 10 – 13 July 12 13 Rourkela 14 – 17 July 12 14 Sambalpur 18 – 21 July 12 15 Cuttack 22 – 25 July 12 16 Berhampur 26 – 29 July 12 17 Visakhapatnam 30 July – 02 Aug 12 18 Vijayawada 03 – 06 Aug 12 19 Nellore 07 – 10 Aug 12 20 Chennai Central 11 – 15 Aug 12* 21 Kudal Nagar (Madurai) 16 – 19 Aug 12 22 Kanyakumari 20 – 23 Aug 12 23 Ernakulam (Cochin) 24 Aug 12 24 Kozhikode 25 – 28 Aug 12 25 Madgaon 30 Aug – 02 Sep 12 26 Hubli 03 – 06 Sep 12

No. Station Exhibition Dates 27 Bellary 07 – 10 Sep 12 28 Khadki (Pune) 12 – 15 Sep 12 29 Mumbai CST 16 – 19 Sep 12 30 Habibganj (Bhopal) 21 – 24 Sep 12 31 Madanmahal (Jabalpur) 25 – 28 Sep 12 32 Nagpur 30 Sep – 03 Oct 12 % 33 Kazipet 04 – 07 Oct 12 $ 34 Secunderabad 09 – 19 Oct 12 35 Sewagram (Wardha) 20 – 22 Oct 12 36 Durg 23 – 25 Oct 12 37 Bilaspur 26 – 29 Oct 12 38 Gaya 31 Oct – 02 Nov 12 39 Gorakhpur Cantt 03 – 06 Nov 12 40 Lucknow 07 – 10 Nov 12 41 Haridwar 11 – 12  & 14 Nov 12 42 Chandigarh 15 – 18 Nov 12 43 Ambala Cantt. 19 – 21 Nov 12 44 Udhampur 22 – 25 Nov 12 45 Ferozpur City 26 – 28 Nov 12 46 Bhatinda 29 Nov – 01 Dec 12 47 Delhi Cantt. 02 – 05 Dec 12 48 Durgapura Jaipur 06 – 09 Dec 12 49 Bhagat Ki Kothi (Jodhpur) 10 – 13 Dec 12 50 Barmer 14 – 17 Dec 12 51 Ahmedabad 19 – 21 Dec 12 52 Gandhinagar 22 Dec 12

  Note : 
 *15 Aug: Holiday – Independence Day
 % 02 Oct:  Holiday – Gandhi Jayanti
 $ 08 Oct: Technical Holiday for Maintenance 
 @13 Nov: Holiday – Diwali Festival

 The schedule is subject to change.