Science Centers in Villages Can Help Spread Science Literacy

Science and technology communication can help spread the scientific way of thinking among people and make science accessible to them. Establishing science centers in villages can help achieve this, said Y. Joykumar Singh, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, while addressing the 11^th Science Communicators’ Meet at the Indian Science Congress here on Monday.

He said science communicators play a vital role in communicating the basic understanding of science. “Virtual museums and interactive programmes are tools in the arsenal of science communication. Television, radio, webcasting, use of satellites, blogging are gifts of technology that aid S&T communication. They can be used in innovative ways so that people get hooked on science” observed Dr. CM Nautiyal while speaking with India Science Wire. Dr. Nautiyal is the former head of radiocarbon laboratory at Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany, Lucknow.

Speakers at the inaugural function of Science Communicators’ Meet

As digital communication tools and media are making their presence felt in small towns and villages also, they can prove good tools to spread science and technology. Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University said, “using innovations in science and technology as an instrument of socio-economic change will have an impact in making sure that efforts in science and technology are not limited to scientific laboratories and academic institutions but are reaching to common people.”

There were different presentations in the meet on various topics like science and technology in the rural area in Indian society, technological advancement in agriculture and medical sciences of society, the key role of bioinformatics in science and technology, the role of communication media in revamping science education.

Ever since its inception a decade ago, Science Communicators’ Meet is held every year at the Indian Science Congress. It provides an opportunity to academicians, science journalists, activists, filmmakers, scientists and communicators to deliberate and exchange their views on science communication.

There were sixteen oral presentations and five special invited lectures.  Among the keynote speakers were Dr. CM Nautiyal, Prof. A. Surjalal Sharma, Maryland University, USA; Dr. D.C. Goswami, the former scientist with NEIST; Dr. Arup Kumar Misra, Director, Assam, Science, Technology &Environment Council, Guwahati; and Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya, Director, NISCAIR.The meeting was supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication of the Department of Science and Technology. (India Science Wire)

By Jyoti Singh

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