Science City plays host to first National Space Science Exhibition

That space science activities can be fun was revealed as the five-day debut edition of the National Space Science Exhibition was inaugurated at the Science City premises on December 7.

The exhibition organised by the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata along with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and several partner institutions will conclude on December 11. It was inaugurated by A.S. Kiran Kumar, former chairman of ISRO.

Students enjoy at Science City

Arijit Sen/ My Kolkata

Dibyendu Nandi of IISER, Kolkata said, “ISRO had approached IISER Kolkata a few years back to submit a proposal to hold the National Space Science Symposium which is the largest gathering of space scientists in the country. We responded positively. As Chair of the Local Organising Committee, I proposed instead of a purely technical symposium of interest to scientists alone, we should also showcase our space science achievements and future vision to students and the public who fund our organisations. This was with a view to open up science to the citizens and inspire new generations to take up space sciences. A.S. Kiran Kumar, former chairperson ISRO, who heads the National Organizing Committee appreciated the idea and encouraged the activity too. ‘’

A kid pose with space suit as his mother takes a photo

Suvendu Das/My Kolkata

The exhibition consists of institutions like Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science; Indian Institute of Astrophysics; North Eastern Space Application Centre, Umiam, Meghalaya; Regional Remote Sensing Centre, East; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata and more. With an aim to showcase space science to the next generation and building a community of space science lovers, the exhibition also involves active participation from educational institutes like St. Xavier’s University; Presidency University; Ashoka University; S. N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences and more.

Sterling Wheel Conversion of Heat energy to Mechanical Energy. When placed in contact with hot water, the steam generated pushes the air trapped inside thereby releasing through a small space near the piston . This in turn allows cold air to come inside ande the cycle continues leading to a generation of a force that turns the wheel around

Suvendu Das/My Kolkata

Chief Guest, A.S. Kiran Kumar, who inaugurated the exhibition said in his inaugural speech, “Kolkata has produced great scientists who contributed to science and technology heavily. Today, after about 75 years of Independence, India is known globally for the solutions we have provided. All these activities are primarily meant to focus on what we have done, where we have reached, what are our capabilities in the future and for this to happen, we must prepare the stage for our next generation to become familiar with the endless capabilities and technologies available.’’

Interestingly, the ongoing exhibition not only displays India’s contribution to space science but also showcases various experiments which are put together to develop it.

ISRO Merchandise on sale

Suvendu Das/My Kolkata

The students from the University of Calcutta demonstrated a study on how space science technology was being used to measure environmental changes. ‘’ We have used space technology to see what kind of changes take place along the coastline of the Sundarbans. The impacts of mangrove degradation, habitat loss, destruction of flora and fauna has been studied. We have used GPS and Google Image technologies to determine this study,” said Sayantini Halder, MSc first year, Department of Environmental Science.

Souradeep Sengupta, a third-year PhD student from Ashoka University in the Department of Physics who kept engaging visitors through various experiments at the Ashoka University booth, said, “I am really liking the exhibition. I didn’t expect to find so many great exhibits from so many great institutions. It’s been fun to visit various stalls and speak to people. It has been very well organised.’’

The exhibition kicked off with an outreach programme by St. Xavier’s University, Raghabpur campus on December 5. On December 9, the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum is slated to host a panel discussion on ‘Women in Space Science’. An adda session in Bengali has been planned on December 10, while on December 11, a dialogue between industry-academia relations will be held. Both these programmes are scheduled to be held at the Science City. The multi-lingual, multi-dimensional and open to public access approach will help spread the word about space sciences to multitudes.

‘’I am proud to say that the organisation was primarily managed by students of the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences India at IISER, Kolkata who teamed up with the National Outreach Committee and planned and executed this grand celebration of space sciences - bringing a space science exhibition for the first time to Kolkata. I am happy to be a part of it,’’ Nandi said.