Pushpa Gujral Science City

Science popularization has been adopted by the Govt. of Punjab in Mission Mode to build scientific temper and supplement formal science education through non-formal means. The objective is to simplify science for the general public and students by explaining complex scientific concepts through interactive exhibits and extra-curricular activities and spread the message that science can be fun. “Mission Popular Science” is being spearheaded by PGSC under the patronage of Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Govt. of Punjab. The goals of the Mission are to: (i) Create avenues for non-formal learning of science and technology (ii) Simplify science and make people understand how science has a profound impact in our life. (iii) Establish deeper engagement with educational institutions by promoting activity based learning (iv) Promote innovative thinking through the Innovation Hub set up at PGSC. (v) Extend the reach of science through Mobile Exhibition, especially in rural areas. Pushpa Gujral Science City, a brain child of the then Prime Minister, Sh. I. K. Gujral, was opened to the public and inaugurated by His Excellency Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab on March 19, 2005. It was one of its kind facility in northern India with attractions like Space theatre, Laser theatre, 3D theatre, Flight simulator and Fun Science exhibits. Over the years galleries like Amazing living machine, Science of sports, Virtual reality & cyber space, Digital planetarium, Earthquake simulator, Dinosaur Park, etc. were added between 2008-2010, followed by gallery on Evolution, Birds and Climate Change Theatre in 2014-16. Robotic Dinosaurs were also introduced during this period and Mobile Science Exhibition was started. Now, PGSC had also set up Innovation Hub to motivate children for out-of-box thinking. PGSC has introduced popular programs like Dog Show & Animal biodiversity Exhibition, Flower show & Floral biodiversity exhibition, Nutrition Show, Science Fest, Innotech, celebration of important days like Grandparents day, Earth Day, Ozone Day, World Environment Day, etc. It is also conducts training programs for teachers to make science learning fun and enjoyable. The project has something for everyone, regardless of age, education, profession or social strata and is intended to make science accessible to people who are not part of the formal education system.