Pune's Scientific Community Gears Up for National Science Day Celebrations
Scientific institutions across Pune district are preparing for a vibrant celebration of National Science Day this Saturday, February 28, 2024. The day honors physicist CV Raman's groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928. This year's nationwide theme, "Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat," will be prominently featured throughout the events.
Major Institutions Open Doors to Public
A diverse array of public lectures, exhibitions, outreach programs, and interactive demonstrations are scheduled. Laboratories and research spaces will be accessible to students, teachers, and citizens, fostering direct engagement with science.
IISER Pune's Full-Day Campus Program
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune will host a comprehensive campus event. According to an institute statement, talks by leading women scientists will highlight both their research achievements and professional journeys.
Visitors can immerse themselves in:
- Interactive science shows and mathematics demonstrations
- Science toy sessions and puzzle activities
- Astronomy observations and a science quiz
Additionally, the institute's Science Activity Centre will stream a live online quiz titled "The Mysteries of the Universe."
Extended Outreach and GMRT Exhibition
IISER Pune, in collaboration with Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park, will conduct a three-day outreach program from Friday to March 1 at the Kalpakghar Community Tinkering Centre. Activities include a weather hackathon, STEM exhibitions, art installations, tinkering demonstrations, and science film screenings.
At Khodad near Narayangaon, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) will organize its annual exhibition on Saturday and Sunday. Operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics under Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, this event is one of India's largest public science exhibitions, attracting nearly 25,000 visitors annually.
GMRT exhibition highlights feature:
- Live experiments conducted by TIFR scientists
- An "Ask an Astronomer" interactive session
- Radio astronomy films and exhibits
- Contributions from premier institutions like the National Institute of Virology, IITM Pune, and ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre
Astronomy Focus at IUCAA
The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) will host an open campus day. Visitors can enjoy facility tours, demonstrations, solar telescope viewing, and interactive sessions linked to major astronomy missions such as AstroSat, LIGO-India, and Aditya-L1.
These collective efforts underscore Pune's commitment to promoting scientific temper and inspiring future generations, particularly by spotlighting the crucial role of women in advancing science and technology for a developed India.
