About RSC
Preamble
Communication of science or bridging the gap between knowledge of experts and common people has crucial role of initiating national development efforts by motivating people to embrace science and technology and method of science in their day-to-day lives. It also strives to increase understanding and appreciation of science and technology as useful ways of understanding modern world as well as for informed decision making.
Science communication also plays a pivotal role in the development of society by fostering a deeper understanding of scientific knowledge and its applications. It enables individuals to make informed decisions, encourages critical thinking, and promotes evidence-based reasoning. Science communication also facilitates the dissemination of scientific advancements, technologies, and solutions to societal challenges, thus empowering communities to address pressing issues such as public health, climate change, and sustainable development. By bridging the gap between scientists and the public, science communication creates an inclusive and participatory environment that drives progress, innovation, and the overall advancement of society. As institutions for science communication, science museums and centers provide interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that engage visitors of all ages. These institutions create immersive and experiential learning experiences and promote a deeper understanding of scientific principles.
With an objectives to design, develop and fabricate science museum exhibits; demonstrate science concepts to students; to popularize science and create scientific temper among people, the Science Centres have been developed across the country by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with agencies of different States and Union Territories of India.
RSC Dehradun
The RSC in Uttarakhand State has been developed by NCSM in collaboration with Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST) in its premise at VIGYAN DHAM, Jhajra, Dehradun. The RSC was developed with 50:50 sharing of capital among NCSM and Govt. of Uttarakhand on the provided land. The total area of RSC is 30450 SqM which comprises of a sprawling science park and RSC building ( 5500 SqM).
The science park encompasses dinosaurs park, outdoor interactive exhibits based on scientific laws, while, the RSC building houses Fun Science Gallery, Himalaya Gallery, Frontiers of Technology Gallery, Innovation Hub, 3D Theater, Taramandal( a portable planetarium) Auditorium of 200 sitting capacity, Temporary Exhibition Hall, student activity space and Meeting Hall. Some of the attractive and interactive outdoor exhibits in Science park are Gravity chair, Whispering garden, Musical Bar, Sympathetic swing, Bird-in-the- Cage, Eco tube, and Perspective house etc. The Frontiers of Technology hall comprises exhibits on Intelligent materials, smart agriculture, New trend in nuclear power generation, cloud computing, Robotics, and Carbon nano-tube & graphene, AR, VR, medical technology and space technology etc. The Himalaya Gallery depicts geology, geography, tourism, culture & traditional knowledge system of Himalayas through attractive exhibits. It also harbours replica of “holy Amarnath Cave”.
Innovation hub is a multi-disciplinary laboratory equipped with moderate set of tools and scientific instruments. The facility is set up to nurture creativity and innovations by the young minds. This would not only ensure more effective utilization of the science centre, but would redefine its usage and role in fostering problem solving and discovery based learning. This facility provides hands-on/ practical learning and engagement in the process of science, technology and innovation to the students. Innovation hub provides resources and technical input to innovative ideas of students.