To mark the National Science Day on February 28, Thursday, an ‘open day’ exhibition has been organised by the Science Park department at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus. Atleast 150 scientific models will be at display at the exhibition, including one on butterflies of the Western Ghats that I taught two girls to create. The exhibit is in the form of a Calder mobile with two arms. The biggest butterfly is the size of an A4 paper (roughly 8.5" by 11").

Exhibit Venue: First floor, Science Park department, Environmental Science department building, SPPU
Date: Thursday February 28, 2020
Time: 10:30 am to 5 pm

The National Science Day is celebrated on February 28 every year to mark the discovery of Raman effect by Indian physicist C V Raman.

“The exhibition will be a treat for children as there will be various interesting sections. There will be huge structures of various scientific instruments. Students can carry out different types of sound experiments and gain knowledge at the ‘sound theme’ section. One can actually visualise their sound while talking. There will also be a section on human body parts. A major attraction for children will be the ‘scientific horror show’ in which a skeleton will be conveying its information,” said Harshada Babrekar, senior researcher at the Science Park department of SPPU.

According to department officials, this year for the first time, students of Class 5 and 6 from various city schools will be explaining the models at the exhibition. These students were trained at the unique 20-week programme at the Exploratory Laboratories. Also, the inauguration of the exhibition would be done in a scientific manner. A special censored wireless barricade will open when the chief guest waves a censor stick at it.

“It will take at least two hours to experience and also to play scientific games at this exhibition. We appeal to all, children ( from 3 years onwards ) and their parents to visit the exhibition on February 28 and have a fun Science learning experience,” he said.

Other various interesting models and games displayed at this exhibition

1. A giant talking tree giving details of its life cycle

2. 8-foot wooden model of a microscope

3. 8-foot model of a general DNA structure

4. An audio visual 5 foot replica of Termite Hill, life cycle of insects inside it

5. An electricity generator - modern Charkha

6. A tree’s internal structure

7. A section entirely dedicated to learning about various human body parts

8. Preserved insects and butterflies

9. A dark room in with various light effect experiments

10. Large outdoor scientific games play area