Science parks to make learning fun, experiential for UP students
Lucknow: To enhance experiential learning, scientific temper and critical thinking among children of classes 6 to 8, UP govt is setting up 18 science parks—one in every division—at a cost of Rs 4 crore each.
Science parks will be developed over 1 acre land and include interactive scientific exhibits such as solar system display, hydraulic lift simulator, Newton's cradle, weather station and renewable energy models.
Disaster and traffic management, environmental conservation and personal safety-related events will be included to help students gain scientific awareness. The parks will integrate sustainability, safety and civic responsibility, to help students develop scientific curiosity and critical thinking.
Teaching-learning processes would be interactive and practical, said officials.
Each park will showcase 20-25 interactive and STEM-based models. There will be practical demonstrations based on motion, energy, light, environmental science and disaster management. Collaboration will be established with technical institutions such as IITs and Regional Science Centre, Lucknow, for better understanding of scientific phenomena, processes and principles of the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyaan.
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There will be awareness programmes in coordination with various scientific institutions, local administration, police, traffic and disaster management authorities. Science camps, festivals and STEM activities will encourage collaboration and community participation.
According to departmental officials, NEP 2020 emphasises need for programmes that can cultivate inquiry-based thinking and deeper understanding among students.
"Aim is to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with other subjects in a multidisciplinary way, for comprehensive learning," said an official.
Detailed plan, standardised brand design and detailed project report) is being prepared in coordination with technical institutions for the construction of the science parks. Officials said a state-level science park hub already exists in Lucknow and is visited by students from across UP. With a park in each division, students will benefit through exposure, said an official.
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