JOIN US‘Science Express – Biodiversity Special,’ (SEBS), an innovative mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed 16 coach AC train, travelling across India since October 2007, has become the largest, the longest running and the most visited mobile science exhibition in India, creating several other records also in its course.
After the completion of its four phases of reaching out to far and wide cities of India, this iconic train now runs on the Indian Rail Network. It is a unique collaborative initiative of Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It has travelled over 1,15,256 kms throughout the nation, receiving over 1.23 crore visitors at its 367 halts in 1,311 exhibition days so far.
The SEBS aims to create awareness on biodiversity of India, climatic changes and similar phenomenon among students. Of the 16 coaches of the SEBS train, eight coaches are solely dedicated to showcasing the myriad biodiversity spread across the bio-geographical zones of India like Himalayas, the Gangetic Plain, North-East India, the Western Ghats, the Indian deserts, the semi-arid zone, the Deccan Peninsula, the coasts and the islands. The exhibition also covers various other facets like marine, coastal, forest, microbial and agro biodiversity and their linkage with livelihoods along with the challenges of their conservation.
Mobile lab
The remaining coaches reflect themes like climate change, biodiversity and water and sustainable environment and energy conservation. A special zone for kids has also been created in one coach, to facilitate kids indulging in fun-filled activities, games and puzzles in science, mathematics and environment. Further, the popular Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) Joy of Science Hands-on Lab is put up in another dedicated coach. In this mobile lab, students can perform various experiments.
This mobile exhibition will be held at Kasaragod from December 4 to 7, from 10 am to 5 pm. The exhibition is open to all but primarily targets are students and teachers. More information is available on the websitewww.sciencexpress.in. Emails can be sent to sciencexpress@gmail.com or contact: 09428405407. School students can participate in the Joy of Science (JOS) Lab in small batches of about 20 students, by prior registration. Emails may please be sent to vascsc.jos@gmail.com or contact the Lab in-charge on 09428405408, for participating in the JOS Lab.
DH News Service