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| The periscope at the Regional Science Centre.
Telegraph picture |
Jan. 17: The Regional Science Centre (RSC) here is offering an experience from pages of history through the lens of an instrument that decided the fate of many wars — a periscope.
The instrument, used for observation from a concealed position, with a history of helping troops at battlefields in difficult terrain besides serving submarines in shallow waters, is now put up for display on the premises of the Northeast’s largest science centre at Khanapara.
“Students are enjoying the experience. When they can see the wall paintings on the Assam Administrative Building and other things which are at a distance, they get interested in the instrument,” said an official of the science centre.
Like the periscope, which has come as a New Year gift for the children, the officials of RSC have set up some other interesting exhibits on the campus in a bid to make it an ideal place for the kids to pass a few hours.
The magic water tap, size and distance and simple camera are some of the exhibits that have been set up for the students.
In the magic water tap, water flows from a tap, which is not attached to any water source.
“The device is simple. There is a glass tube fitted in a way that the children do not know about it. So they feel that the water comes out of nowhere,” said Basudev Mandal, the curator of the science centre.
Mandal said the footfall at the science centre has touched nearly 2,000 in a day.
“Everyday nearly 2,000 visitors come to our centre. We are trying hard to fill up the inner as well as outer areas of the main building with exhibits so that children can correlate various science phenomena they read in textbook,” he said.
The centre also has a picnic spot where at least six groups can arrange parties.
“We charge Rs 100 for a party. The money is used to supply the revellers with water and keep the spot clean,” said Mandal.
The science centre is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the city as well as the biggest science centre in the Northeast.
Of late, the introduction of several displays has increased its attractions among the tourists, especially children.
Its medicinal park has 88 different kinds of plants.
“Our plan is to utilise the entire area. Some areas of the science centre were lying abandoned earlier. Now we are clearing those areas to turn them into a park,” said Mandal.
“Another attractive display we are going set up for the students is Giant YO-YO, which will give the children a fair idea about kinetic energy and inertia, besides giving them enough scope for fun,” he added.
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