Do Science hit with students gets new address

​Hyderabad: Do Science centre at Sanjeevaiah Park, which wooed schoolchildren from twin cities by giving them hands-on learning experience of science through different exhibits, is going to have a new address with increased space and new additions.

With good response from schoolchildren in the state capital, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) that had leased out space to organisers, now allotted an independent location for the centre beside Herbal Garden on Necklace Road. The new location provided Bookmark Projects Trust, the NGO behind the Do Science initiative, to increase the number of exhibits from 20-odd earlier to 38.

Students spend their time reading and focusing on theoretical knowledge while in classroom and this centre allows them to get a feel of practical application of that knowledge.

Each exhibit, having an underlying science principle, was made in such a fashion that learners can play without any restriction and help of adults. In Do Science centre, all the equipment and experimental setups were laid out in the open, and each exhibit will be accompanied by pictures and graphics that are understandable by children.

By slipping hands through each exhibit children were able to understand common Science concepts including gravity, and working of pendulums, pulleys and levers.

Some of the exhibits, school students explored earlier included echo tube, periscope, newton's cradle, belt and pulley drive, Pythagoras theorem, anamorphic mirror. Now, they can put their hands-on new exhibits like multiple reflections, infinity well, musical pipes, trampoline, chair with nails, solar panel, resonance bars and pipes, vegetable patch, value of Pi among others.

Do Science, which had technical support of Birla Science Centre, received very good response from schools across the city.

Schools across socio-economic segments from different parts of the city visited Do Science in the past 12 months. Apart from students from government schools, students of Chirec, NASR, Delhi Public School, Future Kids, Meridian, Niraj and Diamond Jubilee School etc. visited the centre, according to Akhil Vishwanatham and Aparna Vishwanatham, trustees of Bookmark Projects.

Feedback from schools and students had been overwhelmingly positive, with many families and schools coming to the centre more than once, they said. Do Science functioned in 5,000 sq ft space in Sanjeevaiah Park earlier, but it was given nearly 11,000 sq ft in the new location. Do Science’s exhibits are currently focused mostly on Physics and Maths. With the additional space, it has now started expanding the range with a focus on “Science at Play” and “Do Music.”

Akhil and Aparna, along with few IIM graduates worked on this concept to shift focus of students from marks and grades and to create an opportunity for learning outside of their classrooms, also encouraging curiosity, innovation and free-spirited thinking among students.

Bookmark Projects invested the money required for the setup of the exhibits. Operation and running costs were covered by sale of tickets. Tickets were priced at Rs 50 for the general public, while students from government schools were given a free entry.

It is important that our children have sound conceptual clarity and innovative thinking to be employable in the future, Akhil said. Do Science is also fundamental about developing an attitude of curiosity and exploration, which is important for a rational thinking society, Aparna added.

Learning need not be confined to the four walls of classroom but can be gained in informal environments as well. Learning can be fun and learning can be hands-on, they said.