INTRODUCTION

Nehru Science Center is the largest interactive Science center in India

located in Worli, Mumbai.
We had to visit the center as our part of the assignment. I visited the
center on May 5th 2019 and I was so glad to witness this spectacular
place.
The Nehru Planetarium, commissioned on 3rd March 1977, with the
objective of fostering scientific temper through the means of
edutainment (education + entertainment). The planetarium has been
making learning Astronomy a pleasant experience. It also has grown
into a Center for the scientific study of astronomy and for a meeting of
scientists and scholars for discussions and lectures, arranged periodically
on various stellar and Astronomical events.

The programmes at Nehru Science centre are aimed at inspiring

students. These include Science quiz contests, astro-painting, Science
elocution, Astro-poetry and Astro-quiz competitions. Special
arrangements are made to watch, study and photograph Solar & Lunar
eclipses, and many such other events. Telescopes are installed outside
the Planetarium to enable eager visitors to watch these phenomena.
Working in the laboratory forms an important part of school science
education. In the present system of education, however, science is
largely taught through textbooks. Emphasis is given on total learning
and students are not encouraged to ask ‘how’ and ‘why’. Instead of
making children interested in science, textbook science convinces them
that science is tedious and difficult to understand. As a result, some
students shy away from science. Even for those students who are
interested in science, the goals are for careers in Engineering and
Medicine. Career Planning in the pure sciences receives little
importance.

In order to present science as an interesting, fun- filled activity, Nehru

Centre began a project of organising Science Workshops for Secondary
School Students, in September, 1997. These Workshops are activity-
based and provide the students with substantial scope for participation,
thinking and creativity.
Nehru Science Center (NSC) is the largest interactive science centre in
India. It is located in Worli, Mumbai. The centre is named after India's
first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1977, the centre started with
the 'Light and Sight' exhibition, and then in 1979 a Science Park was
built. On 11 November 1985 it was opened to the public by Rajiv
Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India.

Nehru Science Centre, Worli

In 1977, Nehru Science Centre, first conceived as a Science &

Technology Museum in late sixties, took final shape as India's largest
interactive science centre, to match the world trends in such public
institutions. The centre opened its first semi-permanent exhibition `Light
& Sight' in 1977 followed by the world's first ever Science Park in 1979,
during the International Year of the child. On 11 November 1985 the
full-fledged science centre was finally opened to public by the late Rajiv
Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India.

Nehru Science Centre, the largest Science Centre in the country has a
sprawling 8 acres (32,000 m2) of science park with varieties of plants,
trees and shrubs. More than 500 hands-on and interactive science
exhibits on energy, sound, kinematics, mechanics, transport, etc. are
installed in the park.

This science centre has an impressive collection of historical artefacts

that depict scientific achievements in various fields. Several workshops,
seminars, competitions, science exhibitions and conferences are
organised in this complex. A well-stocked library also forms an integral
part of this building. It has more than 10000 books and 300 science
films, which cover different science disciplines.

A major highlight of Nehru Science Centre is the three-dimensional

science show which is named 'Monsters of the Deep'. It takes people into
a seemingly realistic world of the underwater kingdom, where they can
see mythical monsters closely. A science odyssey named 'Grand Canyon
Adventure' is also organised at this centre. This 45-minute film is based
on the famous Grand Canyons of Arizona and attempts at spreading
awareness about saving freshwater resources of the world There are
more than 500 hands-on and interactive science exhibits are based on
various aspects of science and technology, and there is a collection of
some historical artefacts of science and technology. The 3D Science
Show is also organised at the centre
There are more than 500 hands-on and interactive science exhibits are
based on various aspects of science and technology, and there is a
collection of some historical artefacts of science and technology. The 3D
Science Show is also organised at the centre.
Visiting Nehru Science Centre is an excellent learning opportunity for
children as it provides detailed information about different fields of
science in the most interactive manner.

The spark theatre was a hair raising experience and their were many
other exciting static electricity demonstrations with Van de Graff
generator having a 75 cm dome.
The science film show is one of its kind which always shows the latest show on
various scientific topics which leaves us mesmerized to see the wonder of science.

I am a Mother show is also there .The duration of the show is 20 min. where we
can learn about human anatomy as the different internal organs in a life size
transparent glass model of a human body light up. There are several other
attractions like Energy Model, Head on a platter, Pin screen, virtual harp and the
giant heart .Each are of them are one of its kind. Each of them gives a different
experience and brings us face to face to the wonders of Science.

Nehru Science Centre conducts various activities for students, teachers & general
public as follows:

 Daily shows (3-D, Wonders of the Universe)

 Science shows
 Science Demonstration Lectures
 Sky Observation Programme
 Film Festival
 Popular Science Lectures
 Workshop for school students
 Teachers' Training Programme
  Science Fair
 Science Seminar

Located off the Annie Besant Road in Worli, the museum has been a
realm of space and science for both Mumbaikars and tourists regardless
of age.
There was a big queue for the planetarium despite being a hot summery
day. I also took tickets and after a long wait I got a chance to get inside
the planetarium.
It was a spectacular view .Upon entrance I saw the world clock which
showed various times at different places. There was a place where we
could check our weights Earth,Moon,Jupiter,Mars.
It was very interesting. Everyone were very enthusiastic to know how
much do they weigh on other Planets.There was a guide who explained
us gave valuable informations regarding the entire Solar system before
enjoying the science show. There were four 30 minute long shows in a
day in a 500 seat auditorium.Two shows were in Hindi and one each in
English and Marathi.It was about time for our show to start.The Science
show was happening in the Sky Theatre. Entire hallway showcased
incredible informations regarding all the Planets.The show was in
different languages. I saw the show and the topic of the show was
“WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE”. It felt like we were sitting under
an open sky.
It gave us general information about our city Mumbai and its directions.
It also showed the major attractions of Mumbai which was relevant to
the theme. The movie showed about all the major constellations like
Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Pole star , Big Bear and many more such
constellations. It showed that how rest other star changes their direction
and move but the pole star doesn’t move. It also gave information
regarding all the Planets and collapsing star.
It provided some amazing information regarding Milky way and
Supernova. It also threw light on planetary system and its revolution
around the Earth.
This entire movie left us speechless and bound to think that there is so
much happening outside our planet.
 CONCLUSION

The visit to Nehru Science Center takes us peer deep into space through
the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and travel back billions
of years in time to witness the birth of the universe.

On this breathtaking excursion, I witnessed the formation of galaxies

and explored some of the most wondrous nebulae and astronomical
structures yet discovered.

We flew deep into our own Milky Way Galaxy and return home to Earth
on a spectacular tour through the Solar System.
This entire experience was mesmerizing and breathtaking.This
interactive experience for everyone creates a positive impact on
understanding and appreciation of space science. The planetarium can
impact learning and thinking. The planetarium settings provides
dynamic and compelling multiperspective visuals to impact them .It
immerses us in a unique learning space and if done within a coherent
storyline the educational experience will be enhance
PEDAGOGY OF SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT

NEHRU SCIENCE CENTER

GUIDE TEACHER: MRS.POONAM TIWARI

PREPARED BY:
PURNIMA SRIVASTAVA
ROLL NO: 33
F.Y.B.Ed -2nd SEM