THE NEW AGE SCIENCE CENTRE POPULARISATION OF SCIENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND A VISION INTO THE FUTURE BY MRUDULA KUMAR A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF B.ARCH. IN KAMLA RAHEJA VIDYANIDHI INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTURE 2012 CERTIFICATE INDEX ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES 1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………...…..1 2. CASE STUDIES CASE STUDY- 1……………………………………………………………………...6 CASE STUDY- 2…………………………………………………………………….16 3. SCIENCE CENTRE AT ANUSHAKTINAGAR……………………………...…32 4. BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………...46 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT would like to express my gratitude to my Design Dissertation guide Ar. Ainsley Lewis for his continuous guidance, patience and constructive I criticism, without which this project would not have been a complete success. I would also like to thank Ar. Shweta Wagh for her help. I would also like to thank the administrative officer Mr. C.K. Das and the technical officer (civil) Mr. V.K. Mohan, of Nehru Science Centre, for sparing their time in spite of their busy schedule and provided me with the information that has constituted my case study and thesis volume. My thanks go out to all my friends for their constant support and help. My thanks also go out to Raghunath and Yogesh for their help in the library. Lastly I am extremely grateful for the information that my father provided me with and my parents for their support and encouragement that saw this project through. LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1.1…………………………………………………………………………...6 FIGURE 1.2………………………………………………………………………….12 FIGURE 1.3………………………………………………………………………….14 FIGURE 1.4………………………………………………………………………….14 FIGURE 1.5………………………………………………………………………….15 FIGURE 1.6………………………………………………………………………….15 FIGURE 1.7………………………………………………………………………….16 FIGURE 1.8………………………………………………………………………….18 FIGURE 1.9………………………………………………………………………….18 FIGURE 1.10..……………………………………………………………………….19 FIGURE 1.11..……………………………………………………………………….20 FIGURE 1.12..……………………………………………………………………….20 FIGURE 1.13..……………………………………………………………………….21 FIGURE 1.14..……………………………………………………………………….21 FIGURE 1.15..……………………………………………………………………….22 FIGURE 1.16..……………………………………………………………………….23 FIGURE 1.17..……………………………………………………………………….24 FIGURE 1.18..……………………………………………………………………….24 FIGURE 1.19..……………………………………………………………………….25 FIGURE 1.20..……………………………………………………………………….25 FIGURE 1.21..……………………………………………………………………….26 FIGURE 1.22..……………………………………………………………………….26 FIGURE 1.23..……………………………………………………………………….27 FIGURE 1.24..……………………………………………………………………….27 FIGURE 1.25..……………………………………………………………………….28 FIGURE 1.26..……………………………………………………………………….28 FIGURE 1.27..……………………………………………………………………….29 FIGURE 1.28..……………………………………………………………………….29 FIGURE 1.29..……………………………………………………………………….30 FIGURE 1.30..……………………………………………………………………….30 FIGURE 1.31..……………………………………………………………………….31 FIGURE 1.32..……………………………………………………………………….31 FIGURE 1.33..……………………………………………………………………….31 FIGURE 2.1………………………………………………………………………….33 FIGURE 2.2………………………………………………………………………….37 FIGURE 2.3………………………………………………………………………….38 FIGURE 2.4………………………………………………………………………….38 FIGURE 2.5………………………………………………………………………….39 FIGURE 2.6………………………………………………………………………….39 FIGURE 2.7………………………………………………………………………….40 FIGURE 2.8………………………………………………………………………….40 FIGURE 2.9………………………………………………………………………….41 FIGURE 2.10………………………………………………………………………...41 FIGURE 2.11………………………………………………………………………...42 FIGURE 2.12………………………………………………………………………...42 FIGURE 2.13………………………………………………………………………...43 FIGURE 2.14………………………………………………………………………...43 LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1.1…………………………………………………………………………….3 TABLE 1.2…………………………………………………………………………….4 TABLE 2.1…………………………………………………………………………….6 TABLE 2.2…………………………………………………………………………...13 TABLE 2.3…………………………………………………………………………...16 TABLE 2.4…………………………………………………………………………...16 TABLE 3.1………………………………………………………………………...…44 TABLE 3.2………………………………………………………………..………44-45 TABLE 3.3…………………………………………………………………...………45 TABLE 3.4…………………………………………………………………...………45 INTRODUCTION SCIENCE CENTRES he word SCIENCE is derived form a Latin word Scientiawhich means knowledge. It is an attempt to understand isolated facts of phenomena by T classifying facts into patterns; by associating one fact with another, which is establishing connections between facts. It is essential in the interest of national development to meet the inroads of modernisation with spread of knowledge, or at least awareness and also to provide a base for modern advance in our vast and distinctive indigenous cultural and intellectual genius. One of the best ways of doing this in our country is through the medium of science museums, that through audio visual material can provide and understandable picture of what we have been and what we are, to enable our people to face the diverse influence of a fast changing society. Science Centres go one step ahead of museums by encouraging people in active participation, thereby enabling a better understanding and a deeper insight of scientific phenomena. SCIENCE AND ITS GOALS Broadly Science can be categorised as follows:­ 1. Any department of knowledge in which the results of investigation have been logically arranged and systematised. 2. Knowledge of facts, phenomena, laws and proximate causes (gained and verified by exact observation), organised experiment and orderly thinking. 3. A logical presentation of facts, reasoning and beliefs concerning any field. ur age is believed to be one of the most exciting ages man has ever experienced. Our present way of living is realised through consistent O pursuit of Science and Technology through many centuries. Science accumulates knowledge about the nature of things through observation, study and experiment. Technology puts scientific knowledge to practical use. Mechanisation and automation are the most noticeable features of our technological age. 1 Science in the modern sense, whether as an intellectual discipline or utility oriented development, has emerged as a result of a research revolution during the mid-16th century. The discoveries of Science have a profound effect on man’s philosophy, ethics and spiritual belief. They have contributed for the good of mankind by enhancing the comforts in life and also contributed to the destruction of mankind during warfare. The aim of Science is to know the secrets and mysteries of nature. This knowledge, obtained by scientists, is applied towards satisfaction of society’s needs. This is termed as TECHNOLOGY. NEED FOR SCIENCE CENTRES here Science once originated as exploring the casual relationship between the natural phenomena, today its scope and sophistication W have made grand panaceas to most of our problems; be it agriculture, industry, commerce and trade, medicine or space exploration. It has made the world a smaller place, irrespective of its geographical, cultural and linguistic diversities. The goal of Science is to conquer the unknown facts of the known world. The goal of Technology is to change or improvise the real world for the comfort or betterment of mankind. Science Centres attempt to educate the people to distinguish between the good and bad effects of the scientific development, bring about a more enlightened citizenry to make more intelligent decisions concerning Science, Technology and industry. It encourages people’s curiosity and provides the pleasure of learning and the satisfaction of finding out something for themselves. In today’s world of sophistication, everyone choose a profession that adopts Science, but the adopter need not be a scientist. It is for this reason that Science Centres are established, to satisfy each individual’s innate curiosity to understand the Science behind his daily life. In the present fast life style, people do not have the time to go to the library or a teacher to study, visualise and understand Science. Science Centres come to the help of these people by bringing Science to their reach and understanding at a need-to­ know level. 2 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCIENCE CENTRE AND A SCIENCE MUSEUM SCIENCE CENTRE SCIENCE MUSEUM Active participation and interaction of Passive viewing of exhibits. people with the exhibits. Workshop atmosphere. Informal arrangement may be allowed. Formal arrangement of exhibits. Possibility of altering and balancing open Fixed location for each exhibit. spaces with enclosed spaces. Due to the interaction of visitors with the Although it provides valuable exhibits, even minute details can be information about the history and highlighted where necessary for better progress of Science and Technology, it understanding of the subject. fails to attract the total attention of the viewers. Table 1.1 AGENDA OF A SCIENCE CENTRE 1. Non-formal approach to Science- orderly and simple presentation of Science for the benefit of the masses. 2. To provide an educational resource for people of all ages and to provide services for a broad spectrum of visitors. 3. To provide and imaginative, yet lively approach to the presentation and interpretation of the collections. 4. To present the development of Science and Technology in a social and economic context. 5. To preserve, store document and display objects of scientific and technological interest. 6. To strive for standards of excellence in all its activities, care of collections, management practice, research for exhibitions and publications. 7. To illustrate current as well as historic scientific and technological developments and where ever possible to look ahead as well. 8. To encourage members of the public to explore Science, Technology and industry through opportunities for personal involvement