Varanasi, Jan 17 (IANS) With the "Science on Wheels" programme, children in rural Uttar Pradesh would now have the opportunity to imbibe the concepts of gravity and eclipses outside the conventional class room set-up.
The Bangalore-based, non-profit educational trust Agastya Foundation Friday launched "Science on Wheels", a van that seeks to promote scientific and critical temperament among chidlren in rural areas by way of easy-to-understand projects demonstrated on the facility.
Beginning its journey from the Indian Institute of Technology - Banaras Hindu University campus, the van launched Jan 16 would tread a distance of 40-50 kms on a daily basis to cover one school each day over a period of one year.
About 80 such schools have been identified by the Deshpande Foundation that organised the facility in collaboration with the Ek Soch Foundation, a social initiative of the Delhi-based Spice Mobility Limited.
"It's a hands-on way of learning science.... otherwise we teach science as history," said CEO Naveen Jha of Deshpande Foundation, which seeks to promote entrepreneurship as a catalyst for sustainable change.
"We take it (the van) to every village...teaching them (children) how you go from yes to why and ask questions like what is the centre of gravity... and spark their curiosity," he added.
The van was an instant hit among local school girls who attended its launch.
"I learnt a lot of new scientific concepts today. It was very engaging. I really liked it," said eighth grader Chandini Bano of Sri Ambika Prasad Singh Bhaironath Inter College.
Vinita Sethi of Ek Soch Foundation said the van was like a library of scientific models and projects.
"It's learning science by doing... kids will rotate the earth (model) and understand the concept of a (lunar or a solar) eclipse," she added.
Two science instructors would also be present on the van and the service could be availed of free of cost, Sethi said.
81 swine flu deaths in Madhya Pradesh in 2015
Bhopal, Feb 18 (IANS) As many as 81 people have died of swine flu in Madhya Pradesh this year, a
Amul's storm in social media on native identity!
Amul caused a storm on Twitter due to his recent advertisement 'Exit the Dragon', through which t
11 killed in Rajasthan trucks' collision
Jaipur, Feb 1 (IANS) Eleven people were killed and 15 injured when a truck carrying over 60 peo
Tauktae storm has spoiled the weather patterns in many states. Generally, where it is hot in May,
Don't Give Delhi unstable Government, Modi to Voters
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the huge crowds at his elec
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), which has brought the country's biggest IPO, has been
138 crore fake notes were caught in the country in three years, mostly printed in Pakistan
Fake notes showing the value of crores of rupees are being caught every year in the country. This
Major terrorist attack plot in Kashmir failed, arms consignment recovered from Kupwara
Before the start of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath, terrorist organizations are hatching
Voting took place on Monday for the 16th presidential election. More than 99 percent of MPs and M
Why is the conflict between Iran and Pakistan increasing over the Taliban?
Iran is an important country among the six neighboring countries of Afghanistan.