Introduction: Experiments are the foundation of science and therefore, essential for understanding principles of science and their appreciation by relating them to the happenings in daily life, especially at school level. It has, however, been noticed that while most of the schools have number of scientific instruments and lab accessories, they do not encourage their students to perform experiments, learn basic principles of science and feel excited about them. Besides, there is a shortage of science teachers, especially in rural and remote areas and small towns. Coaching classes have also discouraged students to spend time on experiments. The result is that school students have poor understanding and appreciation of basic principles of science.
2. Realizing the importance of experiments, the Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India (SPSTI), a not-for-profit society, has launched a mobile science laboratory (named as Circus of Science in English and Vigyaan ka Jantar Mantar in Hindi) primarily for the students and children of rural areas and small towns. The mobile lab focuses on experiment based learning and hands on experience, relate science to daily life and how it influences our lives. It also helps demystifying science.
3. Circus of Science is a joint collaborative venture of the SPSTI and Shivalik Public School, a Chandigarh based secondary school.The total expenditure on setting up the lab was about Rs. 2.5 million.
4. Facilities and Scope of the Mobile Laboratory: The Laboratory has the following facilities:-
a. Ten laptops with broadband internet connection for giving hands-on training and experience to the students. Scientific equipment and instruments for important experiments including telescope/binoculars and microscope. LCD projector to show films on important subjects relating to agriculture, health, environment, cosmology etc. Electricity Generator.
5. Target Groups: The focus shall be on the following categories:-
i. Schools children and out of school children,
ii. Village community, and
iii. Teachers.
6. Manpower for the Laboratory: Following persons are employed:-
i. Coordinator,
ii. Science teachers (2)
iii. Computer teacher,
iv. Laboratory attendant, and
v. Driver.
7. Methodology: The following methodology is :-
i. The laboratory shall works in close liaison and with the support of district administration, District Education Officer, school teachers etc.,
ii. Quarterly program shall be finalized well in advance in consultation with them,
iii. Based on the number of students, Laboratory shall spend one to three days in every school,
iv. Lab would be set be set up with the equipment of the school and the mobile lab. every student would be encouraged to perform experiment(s),
v. In the evenings, films on important science based themes / subjects shall are screened through LCD projector for the general public,
vi. Program shall be finalized on monthly basis,
vii. Based on the experience and feedback, suitable adjustments shall be made.
8. Number of Villages/Schools to be covered in a year: It would visit 80 schools every year and spend one to three days per school and interact with about 12,000+ students every year. In addition, there would be evening programs for the general public of the villages. The evening programmes shall aim at creating awareness about different aspects of human activities and what is happening around, such as agriculture, health, forest and wild life etc.
