Regional Science Centre, Bhopal

A Rube Goldberg machine-like demonstration of the mechanical energy at RSCB
Location of the Regional Science Centre in Bhopal, India
Established 12 January 1995
Location Banganga Road, Shyamla Hills, Bhopal - 462 002
Coordinates 23°15′36″N 77°24′45″E / 23.259933°N 77.412615°E
Type Children's Science museum
Visitors 1,79,000 (April 2013-March 2014)[1]
Director Prabal Roy (Project Coordinator)
Owner National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Website rscbhopal.gov.in

The Regional Science Centre, Bhopal (RSCB) is located in the Shyamla Hills area of Bhopal, India.[2] It is aimed at popularizing science and technology among the people, particularly the students. It is one of the constituent units of the National Council of Science Museums or NCSM.[3]

RSCB was inaugurated on 12 January 1995 by the then president of India Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Exhibits and facilities

The Centre has over 266 science exhibits spanning across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Most of the exhibits are interactive. The 5-acre RSCB campus includes a 3-acre Science Park, which contains over 60 exhibits such as pulley demonstrations, a windmill and solar-powered devices. The campus also houses a small Dinosaur Park and a zoo.

The RSCB is open on all days, including weekends, except on Holi and Diwali. The visitor timings are from 10.30 am to 6pm. As of 1 April 2014, the entry fees is INR 10 for visitors who are part of a student group, and INR 20 for everybody else. There are extra charges for special shows such as the 3D Film Show (INR 20 per person) and the Taramandal Show (introduction to astronomy, INR 10 per person).

The Centre has a 200-seater auditorium and a 25-seater conference hall (both air conditioned). These are also available to the external groups for organizing relevant events, at a small charge. There is also a 50-seater AC hall, where the 3D Science Show is organized. RSCB has a small portable planetarium with an inflatable dome, with a capacity of 25 people.

RSCB also has a Mobile Science Exhibition bus with 24 exhibits. This bus goes to the small towns and remote villages of Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh for creating scientific awareness through anti-superstition demonstrations, science-related films, sky observation and educational lectures.

Events

A sky observation programme is organized on weekends after the sunset, as well as for specific astronomical events which occur from time to time. Awareness programs and exhibitions are organized on special days such as the International Museum Day and the No Tobacco Day. Student exhibits and science fairs are also organized from time to time.[4][5]

Special lectures by scientists and professors are organized in celebration of commemorative days. Contests for students, film shows, awareness programmes, drama festivals, workshops and special exhibitions are also held to celebrate these days. Multi-day workshops are held for students during the summer vacations.

RSCB also organizes a one-week training programme for teachers and the would-be teachers on fabrication of simple, low-cost teaching aids. Science demonstration lectures are organized on request by school groups. RSCB offers memberships to individuals, families, schools and other institutions: the members can participate in the various activities and programmes organized by the Centre.

References

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  1. ↑ "Visitor Statistics". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
  2. ↑ Michael Zils (2003). Museums of the world. Saur. p. 353. ISBN 978-3-598-20613-9.
  3. ↑ Sharyn Errington; Brenton Honeyman; Susan M. Stocklmeyer (2001). Using Museums to Popularise Science and Technology. Commonwealth Secretariat. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-85092-668-2.
  4. ↑ "Children’s works displayed at Regional Science Centre". The Times of India. 2011-12-23. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  5. ↑ "Annual Rural Science Exhibition attracts talent from MP". DNA. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2012-04-12.