National Council for Science & Technology Communication

National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) is an initiative from Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. As a major concern, NCSTC has developed schemes for communication and popularization of Science and Technology among Adolescents and Rural People.

The Council is an apex organization of the government of India that endeavors to:

 Communicate Science and Technology
 Stimulate scientific and technological temper
 Coordinate and plan such efforts

It has determined three main goals as follows:
 To create excitement concerning advances in science and technology
 To enable informed decision- making at the grassroots level
 To encourage intelligent debate on developmental issues

Related important activities of NCSTC are:

1. In thrust areas of science and technology communication;
2. Development of scripts, films, video and radio programmes, books, slide sets, etc., on selected areas of science and technology;
3. Training (short term) for school teachers and activists of science & technology based voluntary organisations in science communication;
4. Development of science journalists through University Courses in Science and Technology Communication;
5. Awards and recognition for outstanding science communicators;
6. Coordination with state councils and networks of S& T based organisations;
7. Developing capacity through science communication
8. Field programmes for demonstrating innovative ideas of science popularisation, outreach and extension activities including National Children’s Science Congress, Science Day celebrations, promotion of voluntary blood donation programmes, environmental awareness and positive action, etc., and
9. Promoting International Cooperation for mutual benefit.

In 2006, Doosra Dashak presented a three year duration project proposal. Science has always had an important place in DD’s program. Working with NCSTC would provide resources to include science in its global curriculum’s objectives. In other words, this project has been proposed to be undertaken through a range of activities to inculcate scientific temper and an understanding about science among adolescents and rural people.

This project is being implemented in five blocks of Rajasthan; each of them is marked by extreme poverty, low educational indicators and social backwardness. Name of the blocks to which this report pertains is given below:

• Kishanganj block in Baran district
• Bap block in Jodhpur district
• Bali block in Pali district
• Abu road block in Sirohi district
• Pisangan block in Ajmer district

At the beginning of the project, Doosra Dashak selected few points which could be accomplished in the next two following years:

• To establish Gyan Vigyan Kendras in five blocks of Rajasthan to undertake activities for science education and popularization and to play the role as catalyst through a number of extension activities.
• To set up Vigyan Kendras at the panchayat level to reach out to larger masses, especially women and adolescent girls, and provide scientific understanding through organization of varied scientific and educational activities.
• To organise science fairs at the block and state level, with the participation of adolescents as well as larger community for enhancing science communication.
• To promote study of science by rural illiterate youth through incorporation of science as a subject in residential training programmes.
• To develop temperament of scientific inquiry amongst people to seek solutions of their daily problems and overcome unscientific beliefs and fears

Concerning the last two points, Doosra Dashak has taken initiatives to implement science curriculum in the 4-month residential training programs for adolescent persons by appointment of qualified science teachers.

By establishing GVK/VK and organizing Science Fairs, Doosra Dashak wanted to enhance people’s and especially adolescents’ capacities to use science in their common life:

• To facilitate a clear understanding about scientific knowledge
• To develop a greater sense of feeling and joy by seeing the wonders of science from their own eyes
• To provide a platform where adolescents and community members can express their views openly
• To grow a sense of creativity among adolescents
• To make an understanding about the usefulness of science which can add quality in their lives?

Following its objectives Doosra Dashak has launched two VKs in its 5 blocks’ project:

Table : Vigyan Kendras ( V.Ks)

Success story of Science fairs

NCSTC was concerned about experiments related to issues in environment (such as water, solar energy, testing of soil) and pathological tests, etc. During State and Block science fairs, DD has organized several workshops on health/RH/, origami, puppetry, use of folk theatre in science popularization, demonstrations and opportunities to dialogue with experts at site.

DD already has an emphasis on promoting non-conventional sources of energy a number of adolescents and women have been trained as "barefoot solar engineers". These people have been involved in fabrication and maintenance of solar lanterns.

With budget provided by NCSTC, adolescents and community members take now advantages of a lot of scientific materials. There is a list which resume what has been purchased to enhance science’s capabilities in science fairs and GVK/VK.

List of equipments, models and other materials which would be used in Science Fairs and GVK/VK

S. No.	Name of Items
1.	Computers
2.	Televisions
3.	DVDs, Still Cameras
4.	Telescopes and binoculars
5.	Microscopes (mechanical and without mechanical)
6.	Physical and spring balances
7.	Rain Gauge and Thermometers
8.	Anemometers
9.	Wind Mill
10.	Human Skeleton
11.	Human Torso
12.	Eye Ball
13.	Human Heart
14.	Human Ear(Small)
15.	Human Brain
16.	Human Kidney
17.	Digestive System
18.	Dental Model
19.	Steam Engine
20.	Working Dynamo Model
21.	Geographical Apparatus like  Solar System  Season Apparatus  Students’ Planetarium  Phases of Moon  Standard Time Indicator
22.	Electrical instruments like  Primary and Secondary Cells  Volt Meter, Ammeter, Galvanometers, etc.  Rheostat and Resistance Box
23.	Science Experiment Kits from Eklavya
24.	Glasswares like  Prisms and different types of lenses  Different types of Mirrors (concave, convex, plane)  Gas Jar and two mouth bottles  Flask and Beakers  Funnels and test tubes  Human, Common, Amoeba slides  Sprit Lamps, etc.
25.	Various type of chemicals and consumables used for  Experimentations  Demonstrations and  Science shows

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