The Council has identified Popularization Communication of Science as one of its key areas with the purpose of infusing scientific attitude in the public mind, through various means of display, publications and programs.
Current Programs:
National Science Day is celebrated under the aegis of NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India on or around 28th of February every year. The choice of the date is linked to the discovery of the Raman Effect. Each year, theme is given by DST, Govt. of India under which proposals are invited from Institutes and NGOs. Activities like exhibitions, competitions, lectures, seminars, slide shows, workshops, training camps etc. are carried out. Also, a State level science essay writing competition is organized under this activity for the students of 12- 17 years of age on popular science topics.
Contact Persons :
Dr. K.S.Bath, ksbath@yahoo.com Miss. Mandakini Thakur, thakurmini84@gmail.com
Children’s Science Congress is an event which provides the children of 10-17 years of age from all over the country an unique opportunity to use their scientific temperament and knowledge to make their own ideas come true. Students identify real life problems by taking projects which are location specific and conduct a survey which is presented initially at the district level followed by the State level and finally at the National level. PSCST is the nodal agency for organizing CSC in the State of Punjab since 1993. This activity is organized at district and state level in the State. From the state, projects are selected for presentation at the National level.
Contact Persons:
National Technology Day is celebrated each year on 11th of May to high light the technological and scientific achievements of the country. The Council celebrates this Day with the help of Technical Institutes of the state, NGOs and Educational Institutes. Activities such as, exhibitions, competitions, debates, lectures etc. are organized under this program.
Dr. K.S.Bath, ksbath@yahoo.com
This scheme is being implemented for class XI meritorious students, who have performed well in their class X Board exam and have secured meritorious positions. Every year, students are selected with the help of Punjab School Education Board and a contact program for a week is organized in a State University where students are taken around to various laboratories and National level laboratories around the city so that the students can be made aware of the avenues in basic research.
Council is implementing the scheme for providing incentives to young scientists of Punjab in the form of financial assistance for travel to attend national/international seminars/symposia and students project program for partial assistance to the final year M.Sc/M.Phil/M.Tech/M.Pharma.
NCSTC, DST, GOI is implementing a countrywide program on ‘Eco-Water and Sanitation Literacy’ through science based organizations, educational institutions and S&T Councils/Departments. The program envisages involvement of municipalities, panchayats, opinion leaders, decision makers etc. to prioritize ground water recharge, maintenance of minimum level in water bodies, waste water treatment/recycling, monitoring of water quality, prevention of pollution and safe drinking water etc. PSCST takes up activities such as organization of district level workshops, development of software in the form of posters, pamphlets, distribution of water testing kits, film and a kit on Water Literacy etc.
The Council is publishing a monthly science magazine ‘NirantarSoach’ in Punjabi for creating awareness about science & technology amongst students, teachers and general masses. This magazine is currently subscribed by 2500 schools, institutes and individuals.
The Council regularly organizes short term training courses for science popularization and communication. Teachers, students and representatives of voluntary organizations of the State are involved in these training programs. Some of the recently organized programs are –
I. Workshop on Nature Camps.
II. Workshop on S&T Communication through puppetry.
III. Workshop on Model Rocketry
IV. Workshops on Science Writing/Illustrations for Enhancing Science coverage in Electronic & Mass Media
V. Workshop on Detection and Prevention of Adulteration in Food Stuffs
VI. Workshop on Developing volunteers for Disaster Mitigation
VII. Workshop on Micro-organisms
VIII. Workshop on Teaching Mathematics through Origami.
IX. District Level Workshops on Visual Understanding of Geometrical Theorems.
X. Workshop on Scientific Explanation of Miracles.
PSCST is compiling the History of Science & Technology in Punjab with support from SSTP,DST, Govt. of India under a two year research project. This document will depict developments in S&T in various sectors such as agriculture, water management & irrigation, environment, industry, architecture, medicine, education, traditional technologies, art, scriptures, spirituality & religion, eminent scientists, institutes etc. along with presenting the history of S&T during different eras beginning from dawn of modern civilization (Indus valley civilization), Aryan civilization, Rule of various kingdoms (Buddhist& Greek period, Mauryan dynasty, Gupta period), Persian and Mughal rules, Sikh kingdom, British era and post-independence period. The documentation of history of science in Punjab will create interest in the public understanding of science and understanding the cultural patterns as well as development and advancement of technology step by step in the region.
There is a worldwide interest in the study of history of science today as it is an important aspect in understanding man’s cultural patterns as well as development and advancement of technology step by step. In this direction, PSCST had taken up a project to prepare software on the History of S&T in Punjab in the form of a corporate multimedia CD with 3 D graphics, multi layers, outdoor and indoor visuals, special effects and professional narration. This has been supplemented with a booklet and posters on Eminent Scientist of Punjab, History of Agricultural Implements of Punjab and Prominent S&T Institutes in the region.
Information resources on leading issues, events and ideas on climate change.
Knowledge base of the current trends and practices on sustainable building design.
Knowledge City is a mega initiative of the State Government Coordinated
Platforms to engage young people and make themaware on environmental issues.
Conservation of Biological Diversity of Punjab by implementing the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
At the forefront of Sustainable Change