CM to inaugurate APJ Abdul Kalam science city today

Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate APJ Abdul Kalam Science City near Moin-ul-Haq stadium on Sunday.The city will offer science enthusiasts a dive into hi-tech exhibits and hands-on models.

With the inauguration of the facilities, including five galleries, alongside an auditorium, atrium, theatre hall, dormitory and other facilities will be open for visitors.Spread in 20.5 acres and constructed by the building construction department (BCD), the science city is a glowing tribute to India’s “Missile Man” and former President late APJ Abdul Kalam.“The project is a reality now,” said Kumar Ravi, secretary of BCD.

He said the science city features five galleries: ‘Be a scientist’, ‘basic science’, ‘sustainable planet’, ‘space and astronomy’, and ‘body and mind’, across 7,725 square meters. The galleries will house 269 exhibits on 26 themes. “The first two galleries are ready for inauguration, which will take place on Sunday,” the secretary told this reporter on Saturday.“The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), in collaboration with Creative Museum Designers, has meticulously installed 12 exhibits in the ‘be a scientist’ gallery, featuring interactive wonders like harmonic strings that demonstrate sound vibrations, a 3D Zoetrope for optical illusions, ripple tank for wave patterns, standing waves for physics in motion, curiosity rover models for space exploration, and levitating water displays defying gravity.

This gallery will give information about famous scientists like CV Raman, James Maxwell among others,” Ravi said.The basic science gallery boasts 30 ready exhibits exploring modern concepts, including the decimal and binary systems, the golden ratio and topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis. A ‘foucault pendulum’, a scientific instrument designed to demonstrate the earth’s rotation, is also installed in this gallery.A 163-cm high silicon statue of former President APJ Abdul Kalam has been installed at the atrium for selfies. Digital panels showcasing his life and achievements will enhance the visitors’ experience, he said.Highlighting the other features of the science city, Ravi said: “The 500-seat auditorium will screen 3D science films, while the ground floor includes a 4D theatre, pre-functional and multi-purpose halls.

An open sky theatre with 150 seating capacity has also been developed on the campus,” he said.A dormitory for 150 students and three teachers offers accommodation and meals for educational tours. Besides, amenities like a cafeteria, restrooms, drinking water and parking space have also been set up.An MoU with NCSM is in the final stage to equip the remaining three galleries with full operations expected soon.