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Feel a quake, volcanic eruption in Science City

CHANDIGARH: Feel an earthquake erupt around you and a volcano throw ash and lava into the air at the Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC).

The dynamic earth gallery which is coming up at PGSC in Kapurthala district of Punjab would provide visitors a real life experience of an earthquake with different Richter scale intensities. A simulator will be used to create this extraordinary effect. The experience would be similar to the one available in the Natural History Museum, London.

Likewise, a volcano showing eruption of lava with computer simulated effects has also been planned at this gallery. The Science City would provide comprehensive introduction using information panels about environmental disasters of natural origin and those that are man-made so as to emphasise the importance of pre-disaster management instead of post-disaster relief.

The dynamic earth gallery is one of the ambitious projects that is being taken-up in the second phase of the Science City alongwith a bio-technology gallery, the science of sports gallery and a theatre showing climatic global changes. The second phase is expected to cost Rs 30 crore, to be shared by both the Centre and the Punjab government.

The first phase of the Science City, inaugurated in March this year, has attracted a large number of visitors, particularly students. The 72-acre PGSC when completed would cost a total of about Rs 100 crores (including first phase). This unique city tends to popularise science through 'edutainment' and it intends to fire the imagination and creativity, foster the spirit of inquiry and exploration among the masses especially the young minds.

Giving details of the second phase, the Science City, Director General, R S Khandpur said the climate change object theatre is another important feature that would take visitors around the globe to explore the implications of a warming planet from the North Pole to the South, so that visitors get a better understanding of the latest climate science and the issues surrounding the human role in climatic changes. The climatic show at the theatre will be set-up with the technical assistance from Science North, Sudbury in Canada and would cost about Rs one crore. Dr Khandpur said the gallery on science of sports will include virtual reality sport shows of cricket, tennis and football where visitors can enjoy the excitement and challenge of their favourite sport without having to set foot on a playing field.

UNI

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Feel a quake, volcanic eruption in Science City

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