Located in Delhi, National Science Centre is one of the most important educational places in Delhi and the country. It is a common ground for science enthusiasts and children from schools and other educational institutions. The ministry of culture has been bestowed with the task of maintaining the centre and ensuring that it facilitates the best level of education to the visitors.
Today, we will talk about the importance of this educational centre and what you can expect from a visit to this place. As a result, you can plan a highly informative trip to the place with your family and friends.
About the National Science Centre of Delhi
This science centre is a part of the National Council of Science Museums and acts as its northern zonal headquarters. It is situated at the Gate no 1 of Pragati Maidan, which is a famous events venue in Delhi.
Spread over a huge building with 5 floors, the science centre boasts multiple shows and prototypes related to science and technology. It covers all aspects of science, ranging from medical science, astronomy, machinery and much more.
The centre is a great place to learn about the scientific phenomenon and machines. It facilitates interactive learning through its multiple galleries, such as Technology Heritage, Human Biology, Emerging Technology, Fun Science, Prehistoric Life and much more.
Through intuitive models and video shows, it makes learning about science easy and fun for visitors. While the centre is open for visitors every day, it also holds special events such as lectures, science fairs and sky-watching camps every now and then.
The science centre also has a planetarium (similar to the Nehru Planetarium), a cafeteria and a library. It also offers short courses on subjects such as cybersecurity and other technological courses. The place is often seen to be filled with students from different schools and educational institutes. The centre is an outstanding information centre for students who have a budding love for science in their hearts.
History and Motive Behind Its Construction
With the advent of Globalisation in India, the country saw an inevitable need to grow more in science and technology. The then Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, felt the growing popularity of science amongst the students.
There were already three science centres in Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai. As a result, the government felt the need to develop an extensive science centre in the national capital of Delhi. This is how the National Science Centre of Delhi came into being.
The work to build the centre started in 1984. On 9 January 1992, the centre was finally completed. Achyut Kanvinde, a noted Indian architect, designed this impeccable building. Since then, it has been the centre of science and technology for visitors and school children.
Things to do at the National Science Centre
If you aim ot discover the secrets of science in the best possible way, you need at least 4-5 hours. Within this time, you can get an extensive tour of the science centre. You can watch all the shows, witness each part that displays different museums and themes and watch all documentaries.
At the centre, the information is explained in the simplest manner so that even small children can understand various aspects of science. There are a plethora of instruments meant to do different things and experiments. Also, there are beautifully crafted models which look as good as real.
Some of the top things to do at the National Science Centre of Delhi are mentioned below-
1. Participate in the events on commemorative days
The science centre focuses on celebrating important international days such as World Ozone Day, World Environment Day, World Health Day, National Science Day and many others. On these days, it hosts competitions and fairs, in which you can participate to learn more about the importance of these days and win prizes.
2. Attend informative lectures and sessions
To make science interesting for the learners, the centre organises lectures and programs where experts from all around the country come to share their knowledge. You can attend such lectures related to the topics you find intriguing.
3. Science Fairs
The centre also holds science fairs time and again for young scientists to showcase their talents and attain more knowledge. This helps children adopt the ability to research while tapping into their creative side.
4. Attend the sky observation camp
For lovers of astronomy, the science centre arranges a sky-watching session many times a month. Here, you can watch various constellations, stars and other celestial bodies through a refracting telescope. The camps are mostly held on events like meteor showers and eclipses etc.
5. Take part in science shows
Through its science shows, the science centre aims to make learning fun and practical for students and other visitors. Some common shows held here include Unexpected science, Kitchen Chemistry, Sound show, Super cold show, etc. You can take part in the science shows to learn more about various scientific phenomena.
Importance of the Centre
There are seven permanent galleries in the museum, which are-
- Our Science and Technology Heritage
- Human Biology
- History of the Earth
- Fun Science
- Information Revolution
- Emerging Technologies, and
- Water, Elixir of Life.
Apart from that, the centre keeps installing and removing galleries from the centre, depending upon the occasion and changes in science and technology. Overall, the science centre covers all aspects of science and technology, providing every information one needs to grasp for general knowledge.
The centre is an important place that showcases the achievements of India and the world in regard to science and technology. Every child must visit this place at least once in their lifetime. In fact, to ensure that the citizens of India are well aware of what has happened and what is happening in the field of science and technology, it is vital that all people visit this place and take its comprehensive tour.
Parting Words
The entry ticket for adults is Rs. 60, and that for students is Rs. 25. Also, you must learn about the upcoming shows at the centre from its website without visiting it. The National Science Centre of Delhi is open for visitors from 10 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening.
So plan your trip accordingly, and do not forget to take your children with you. There is a cafeteria within the premises, and you need not worry about getting tired and hungry in the middle of the tour. Who knows, the tour may instil in them an unending love for science and technology. And maybe one day, the centre will boast their achievements and accomplishments!