An educational tour to Regional Science Center was arranged by Staford School for the students of classes 4, 5 and 6, on 31st August,2013, in an attempt to encourage children to gain insightful perspectives to scientific laws and theories. There was an unprecedented full attendance on Saturday, which is otherwise an off for our students. The Stafordians were all very enthusiastic, overjoyed and raring to explore the exhibits in the science park, armed with a curios mind and a notebook and pen in hand. Students along with the teachers reached the gates of RSC promptly at 10:00 AM in the school vans where Mr.Vikas, the education assistant of RSC greeted and received the enthusiastic Stafordians. After purchasing the tickets, which in itself was an exciting affair, with the children recounting the importance of buying tickets and its purposes, the children and teachers entered the campus.
Mr. Vikas briefed us about the day’s program and then escorted the children to the science park where each exhibit was thoroughly explained. In the very first section itself, the children learned about the working and functions of the GPRS Navigator, the submarines, SONAR waves, and power plants among other things. An interactive recapitulative question-answer session followed each segment of the exhibits which the students promptly answered.
The children then visited the different galleries, such as the Underwater exploration gallery, Biotechnological revolution gallery, Being human gallery and Pre historic park. They also came to know about the popular underwater sport called “Scuba Diving”. Next, it was time for a 3D Show called “Space Junk”. The children were taken to the hall where a pair of special glasses were given to each of member of the audience to enable 3D viewing of the animated show in which animals, and creatures from the animal kingdom came alive on the screen. The children enjoyed the show to the hilt.
The next hour was spent exploring the exhibits and models, checking the displays, working on interactive consoles, and models, and learning or recapping or seeing concepts learnt in books come alive in some amazing exhibits. The children then moved to the scimax show where they watched The Adventures Of Wild California. Based on the gallant efforts of a handful of people who did everything they could, to save the world’s tallest trees, the beavers and the bald eagles. This show inspired the students while providing valuable information on conserving environment.
Having spent three glorious hours exploring the science city, children were hungry and spent. So, the next destination was the park for the students picnic. where the shade of the trees and a pleasant breeze provided the perfect ambience for a excited group of students to refuel for the next round of adventure. The last lap of the Regional Science City tour began with a well packaged science-magic show, which was loaded with infotainment. Sleight of hand, chemical formulas, illusion, and hypnotism were all explained in a professionally executed magic show. At the end of the show, the scientific fact and secrets behind the magic tricks were shared by the ‘magicians.’ They children were thrilled and learned a trick or two to surprise and baffle their friends and family with.
After this very interesting magic show, the children went on to explore other galleries such as Fluidics and water: our life, Wonderful world of materials, Popular science, Meri Anokhi dunia, and Fun science. The children also spent time on puzzles, giggled and guffawed with distorted and varied images formed by different mirrors and lenses and found themselves intrigued by novel use of simple concepts.
As the clock struck half past two, the students reassembled in the main hall to bid adieu to the Science city. The students were reluctant to leave but had to go. Their notebooks and heads full of information and amazing facts that had come alive and out of the pages of their books, the Stafordians thanked their teacher and tour guide for the day Mr. Vivek for the patient and in depth education and infotainment he had provided them.
The visit to the Regional Science center was definitely a great fun learning experience for the students as well as teachers, as it brought science closer to life and invoked a sense of curiosity, and awakened the scientific imagination.