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 Today when science
increasingly dictates the activities of the common man, are there institutions which take
scientific knowledge to the common man? This quest had lead to the founding of
institutions like the Tamil Nadu Science & Technology Centre (TNS&TC). Besides
being a Centre that helps the common man and the younger generation discover the wonders
of Science and Technology, it also conducts several educational programmes to take the
mass on a journey towards better understanding of these scientific concepts. The recently
held week-long programmes that concluded on the Science Day on February 28th witnessed
enthusiastic participation of several school students from the city. Competitions were
held for these students in painting, elocution and many more areas on topical scientific
subjects. There was also an internet-quiz on Astronomy, which was well received, say the
organisors. Another programme, which has received a
very good response, is the short course in Astronomy - ‘The Universe in 9 Steps’
conducted by Dr. Nirupama Raghavan. One has to attend the classroom session to watch the
curiosity of the participants who come from various fields just to learn about the wonders
of the Universe. Is it not an opportunity given to the common man to learn a new subject
from an expert in the field?  Educating the public and supporting the student community to understand the
scientific concepts, are the main objectives of TNS&TC. Says Dr.M.Sargurumoorthy,
Executive Director of the Centre, " Periodically the Center arranges for inter-school
science exhibitions, workshops, seminars and symposia for the benefit of school students
and teachers. Some of the programmes are sponsored by leading institutions of Tamil
Nadu." The Centre also serves as an institution that provides research facilities for
pursuing basic and applied research.
With a view to spread and popularise Science and Technology
among the public and to supplement and complement the formal science education imparted in
schools and colleges, the Centre was established in 1983 by the Tamil Nadu Government. A
number of galleries form the Science Centre such as - Periyar Gallery. The Transport,
Energy, Material Science, Electronics and Communication and Physical Sciences Galleries
are the ones that have besides many permanent exhibits, some interactive devices that
interest the visitors. A huge gallery for Life Sciences in an area of 5000 sq.ft. has 80
exhibits that explain from the basic unit of life, the cell to various systems, nutrition
and environment, Bio-geo chemical cycles, etc. In the Innovation Gallery, themes like
perception, illusion, reflection are widely covered through discovery oriented learning
process-exhibits.  One
section that was opened to the public on the National Science day, 1999, is devoted to
display the works of the Mathematics genius Ramanujam. A mobile science exhibition unit,
periodically tours rural areas to carry the message of Science & Technology with 24
built-in-exhibits.
The huge campus at Gandhi Mandpam Road, Guindy, houses
besides the TNS&TC, the B.M.Birla planetarium, an Indoor Universe by itself. The most
modern and sophisticated planetarium instrument known as GM II projector, with the
accompanying special effect projectors, recreates some of the most awe inspiring celestial
phenomena on the specially perforated aluminium inner dome. Since its inception in 1988,
the fully computerised planetarium has produced 24 programmes on various themes of
Astronomy. ‘Solar Eclipse’ and ‘Life Beyond Earth’ are the current
ones being shown here. The public can view the ‘Red Planet’ and ‘The
Millennium Mysteries’ through the forthcoming shows says the Executive Director. It
is not only these shows, but, " Special camps are arranged during celestial events
like Solar Eclipses and during the appearance of Comets," he adds. Nuclear Energy is
another area, which the Center advocates, by periodically conducting workshops on Nuclear
Energy and its Applications. Work is in progress to establish galleries for urban
development and Information Technology.
 A Science Park has been created near the city to enhance the Centre’s
efforts to spread the message of Science. It is a novel concept with interactive exhibits
and provides a gateway to learn the basic principles of Science and Technology in a
healthy, open-air natural environment. Are similar facilities available to the rural
public? "Yes. There is a regional Science Centre with a Planetarium in
Tiruchirappalli. In Coimbatore, 5.20 acres of land has been allotted by Coimbatore
Corporation, free of cost, for the construction of a Science Museum and Planetarium.
Proposals are envisaged for starting Science Centres in Madurai, Tanjore and
Cuddalore," says Dr. M.Sargurumoorthy.
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