Physics teacher SP Verma and project co-ordinator at Shrikrishna Science Centre Anurag Kumar at the workshop on Wednesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, May 18: The importance of science education took prime spot at a workshop in the state capital today, as delegates deliberated on prospects to popularise it.

Improvement of pure science education has become a global concern and the workshop held at Shrikrishna Science Centre on International Museum Day today had the issue as its focal point.

An initiative of the International Council of Museums, United Nations, International Museum Day is celebrated worldwide on May 18, since 1977.

Around 15 experts from the scientific community came together to express their views on the popularity of pure sciences and on the workshop’s theme — Role of museums in science education.

Greeting the invitees, Anurag Kumar, project co-ordinator at Shrikrishna Science Centre, said pure science education has lost its popularity in the recent past.

Anurag also expressed his views on enriching the museum experience among common people.

“Visiting museums should be a memorable experience for people. The museums should be made highly interactive so that it can motivate children towards scientific learning.”

Other notable speakers also shared their views on the prospects of popularising pure sciences.

A senior physics teacher, S.P. Verma, said: “Proper connection between science and society should be ensured to improve the popularity of science. The education system should aim to enable the children to co-relate with whatever is happening around them.”

Verma added: “Museums should also hold interactive sessions. These sessions could help the museums in getting feedback from the visitors and children so that they can enrich their learning experience and improve the visitors’ overall museum experience.”

Other delegates also stressed on the need to link archaeological work and science at the workshop.

“As of now, most people are unable to relate themselves with museums. Multi-disciplinary study of archaeological works and their findings is necessary for proper understanding of the relevance of such works. The linkage among art, contemporary science and pure science is thus utmost important. Interactive media, including multimedia, would augment such process,” said Sanjay Kumar Manjul, superintending archaeologist, Patna circle, Archaeological Survey of India.

Rakesh Kumar Sinha, a physics teacher of Patna Women’s College, said: “Scientific analysis of the objects kept at Patna Museum, and those being excavated, should be done regularly. Fellowship programmes at undergraduate levels should also be offered by the Shrikrishna Science Centre.”

He added: “Science teachers in government schools have lost enthusiasm and there is also acute shortage of good laboratories and books in the government schools. Workshops organised for these teachers could boost their morale, so that they can teach effectively. Periodical information booklets on science and scientists should also be published by the centre.”