ujarat Science City is emerging as a large-scale science popularisation platform in the State to promote innovative and experimental activities through hands-on activities and minds-on exposures.

The approach and methodology of the Gujarat Science City is focused on informal community based learning which is different from the formal mode of education. All of the programs are intended to enliven the imagination, foster creativity and develop a spirit of inquiry, especially in young minds. Visitors can discover the wonders of science and technology and have access to the most exciting and contemporary form of entertainment regardless of the social stratum, education or age group and creates a culture of learning Keeping the above in mind, regular activities have been planned and conducted at Science City by involving students, teachers and visitors as much as possible. Keeping the student’s interest and teacher’s approach in mind, GCSC have prepared a complete calendar of scientific event, which are being observed and conducted at the Science City.

It is also important to popularise the Gujarat Science City as a venue for scientific and educational activities among the students, teachers, parents and the common visitors.

The broad objective of these programs is to create and sustain a culture of learning that fosters the process of personal inquiry, experimentation, communication, understanding, and the sharing of values about our world.

The scientific and educational activities in the Science City has been broadly categorized as follows:

1.Science popularisation Programs
2.Academic programs on science and math
3.Material development
4.Training Volunteers
5.Media Resource Centre
6.Science Clubs

The detail activities under each of the above category have been described as follows.

1.Science Popularisation Programs:

1. Organization of training programs and workshops for teachers, science     communicators and science club members and coordinators
2. Organization of Vigyan Mela (Science Exhibition) and model making     workshops
3. Celebration of Important scientific event related days, science-week, etc
4. Conducting popular science lectures, scientific film festivals, popular science     book exhibition, etc
5. Arrange / Coordinate special science based exhibitions
6. Out-reach programs

2.Academic Programs on Science and Math:

1. Organization of talent nurture programs in science and mathematics for     teachers and students
2. Organization of Science and Math Olympiads for school students and     teachers.
3. Meet the Scientist program: Interacting with eminent scientist
4. Career counseling in Frontiers S&T for higher secondary students
5. Organization of Children Science Congress
6. Organization of short term certificate course in science communication.

3.Material Development:

1. Development of activity modules on S & T Communication through     Puppetry,    Popular Science writing, illustration and journalism,     organization of nature    camps, Learning Mathematics through Origami,     training module in hydroponics – fun with plants in soil less condition,     model rocketry, telescope making, night sky observation, etc.
2. Design and development of theme based posters like, S&T for sustainable     development, Water for Life, Save our Sky, Atom for peace, etc.
3. Design and development of theme based activity, exhibits write up, games     and worksheets.
4. Development of Standard reference library
5. Interactive web site
6. Organization of State Level / National Level training programs /     Conventions in different areas of science and technology
7. Establishment of a Souvenir Shop at Science City

4.Training Volunteers:

1. Involvement of student volunteers as interns and providing necessary     training and guidance for professional development.
2. Skill enhancement of promising science writers
3. Formation of new science clubs and its coordination

5.Media Resource Centre:

1. Design and develop necessary background materials as media kits on     important scientific events and activities.
2. Arrange interviews of renowned scientists and technocrats.
3. Design and development of audio-visual CDs, multi-media presentations,     theme based slide shows, etc
4. Contributing to weekly science column in local newspapers
5. Publication of Newsletter

6. Science Clubs

The Gujarat Science City in association with the Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, is in the process of starting the Science Club programs in an organized manner through out the state. This is a network to weave all science clubs, societies, organizations which are already established, or are going to be established, and are willing to work with Gujarat Science City and Vigyan Prasar to strengthen the popular science movement in the state and national level with far reaching implications for the development of society.

Success Indicators:

Conducted six state level workshops and training programs duly funded by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India and other educational organizations.

Organised the 4th National Convention of Chemistry Teachers (NCCT-2004) during 30-31st October 2004 in collaboration with Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers. More national level workshops are now being planned.

About 400 science communicators, teachers, community science center members, science club members have been trained as professional science communicators for various modules of science popularizations.

Designed and developed scientific event calendar, as a first of its kind and being recognized as a Nodal Resource Centre for scientific activities and information.

Celebrating the important scientific events and days round the year by the active involvement of the school students, teachers and community people.

Successfully coordinated the Vigyan rail program at Ahmedabad Railway Station as a part of Year of Scientific Awareness program. About one-lakh visitors visited the 12-coach train filled with interactive exhibits and display panels.

In collaboration with British Council, Mumbai, the Gujarat Science City organized SPACEUK Exhibition during 14-27th September 2004. SPACEUK is a touring exhibition on United Kingdom’s Space program for the Exploration of the Solar System. About 16,000 school students visited the exhibition and also participated in various competitions and educational activities.

All the programs are well appreciated by the students, parents, teachers and the common public and have received good response from print and electronic media like Star TV, Aajtak, Zee TV, Doordarshan, ETV, AIR, Radio Mirchi etc.

The reports and reviews of such activities have also been published in peer reviewed scientific journals like Current Science, published by Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and Science Reporter, Indian Journal of Science Communication, NCSTC Newsletter and many other leading scientific publications.