Science Express : an Indo German Pathway to Discovery

Science Tunnel', is a unique exhibition of Max Planck Society Germany (MPS) that has been successfully showcased in about 10 countries worldwide after its debut at Hanover in Expo2000. It was proposed to be displayed in India during celebrations of 60 years of her Independence. Thus a dialogue was initiated between National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Max Planck Society Germany. However, the famous Science Tunnel could not be brought in time so analternative strategy and more effective one was a special exhibition mounted on a train - Science Express

Max Planck Society is dedicated to research and development in frontier areas of science and also focus on interdisciplinary areas of research for betterment of humanity. The Society has 15 noble laureates working in their institutes.

The Society was impressed by an innovative 'Exhibition on Wheels' undertaken by NCSTC during 2005, namely 'Vigyan Mail. This ambitious project, showcasing India's capabilities & achievements in Science & Technology in 12 tastefully designed railway coaches, had attracted over 15 lakh people during its 72 days journey, when it made halts of 2-3 days at 27 locations in India's hinterland. Buoyed by the success Vigyan Mail MPS and ArchiMeDes, the company that had designed and fabricated 'Science Tunnel', expressed willingness to explore possibility of redesigning, remodeling and fabricating the entire 'Science Tunnel' to fit into empty shells of railway coaches.

 Making of Science Express

For housing the sophisticated, micro-processor controlled and interactive state-of-the-art modules of the 'Science Express', availability of Air Conditioned (AC) railway coaches was a prerequisite.

NCSTC started the process of acquiring a brand new customized AC rake from Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala (RCF) during June 2007. The coaches were fabricated in record time. The exhibits were designed and developed in Germany.

The train was then brought to Delhi on October 27, 2007 and vinyls depicting logos and slogans like 'Ingenious India' and 'Germany Land of Ideas' and also the theme of each coach were pasted on the sparkling while exteriors.

Public Private Partnership

Science Express is an excellent example of Public Private Partnership. The 'Kids' Lab' of BASF India Ltd. is one. The "Kids' Lab' in one of the coaches meant for Indian panorama which has several interesting experiments aimed at explaining many aspects of Chemistry.

The Science Express

The Science Express is the World's largest ever mobile science exhibition. It has large screen displays for audio-visual experience, interactive computers and many other attractions in each of the coaches. The exhibition seeks to address issues from micro-cosmos to macrocosmos. It answers how scientists have uncovered our understanding of the Universe, its beginning, its current size, and many other questions. It also raises issues of sustainable development and how scientists are concerned about finding practical solutions for protecting our planet.

The Beginning of Journey

The flag off of 'Science Express' was done from Delhi Safdarjung on October 30, 2007. This Indo-German pathway to discovery then commenced its journey of the entire country covering about 15,000 kms and 57 important railway stations in 217 days. The train has since visited several important places. From a trickle of just a few hundred visitors in Delhi, the 'Science Express' has received tens of thousands of people at each halt of 3-5 days. The response has been so overwhelming that the over 30 Science Educators traveling with the exhibition and local volunteers find it difficult to explain the exhibits to interested visitors,particularly students of senior secondary and above. The arrival of the train at each station is preceded by a series of activities aimed at attracting the target audience to the exhibition which include competitions, quizzes, etc. to augment the efforts of MPS & DST in creating joy and excitement of science amongst our youth.

                                              Flagging off the ‘Science Express

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with Federal Chancellor of Germany, Dr. Angela
Merkel; Hon’ble Minister of S&T and ES, Shri Kapil Sibal; Federal Minister of Education & Research, Dr. Anette Schavan; Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways, Shri R. Velu; President of the Max Planck Society, Dr. Peter Gruss, during the exhibition tour before flagging off the Science Express from Delhi Safdarjung on 30 October 2007.

Inside the Coaches

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : February 12, 2008