Bhubaneswar: To boost scientific temperament among students, the science and technology department has decided to upgrade the existing regional science centre here and also take steps to set up similar facilities in the districts.

The department communicated its decision to the district level officials. Besides, the regional centre here, another one will be set up in Dhenkanal.

"Science is best understood through experience. A science centre provides the scope to learn through experimentation. Therefore, it is necessary to set up such centres at the ground level to boost science education among students," said Gyan Hota, a teacher at a school here.

The science centre in the city is one of the 26 such facilities of the National Council of Science Museums, an autonomous council under the Union ministry of culture.

At present, there are three galleries one each on motion, mathematics and popular science at the centre.

By setting up the science centres at the district level and upgrading the existing ones, the state is aiming to popularise science and technology for the benefit of students and common man through seminars, exhibitions, popular lectures, camps and various other programmes.

The science and technology department has decided to form Zilla Bigyan Prasar Samiti at the district level. The district collector will head the committee that will take all round decisions to set up science centres and also plan activities.

Initially, the regional science centre here will provide support to the proposed centres. It will guide them to develop and plan the events. Later, all the science centres will be linked to each other to facilitate coordination.

"A memorandum of understanding will be inked between the state council on science and technology, science and technology department and the district level committees for the management, operation and maintenance of the science centres. The state government will allot funds for the project," the official said.