'Question', 'Explore' and 'Discover' reflect the motto of the Centre. These three steps lead to a deeper understanding of science. The Centre has always made efforts to stimulate and encourage people to 'question' various intriguing phenomena that occur around them. This 'questioning' when followed by 'exploring' leads to a 'discovery' of new facts.
Facilities at the Centre truly serve this purpose.
Quadrangle
The Quadrangle space at the Centre consists of a collection of models, participatory exhibits, teaching aids and experiments.
The exhibits are designed to teach some concept in science or mathematics and also result in interaction with the exhibit leading to fun and joy. The learning in this case is a pleasurable and voluntary activity. The exhibits consist of puzzles and playthings,interactive science exhibits, illusions, displays for observation and study, charts etc. Several of the exhibits are solitary games in which the aim is spelt out on a small card. Some of these solitary games involve the assembling of given pieces into a simple object such as a cube or a given shape while others involve doing a certain task in the least number of moves.
Also, there is an aquarium and an aviary for observing birds, fishes and other living organisms that attract people of all age groups.
The participatory exhibits are very important for schools as they provide a simple low cost method of generating student interest in science and mathematics and teach them problem solving.
Science Playground
Science playground forms an indispensable part of the Centre. Children learn concepts of science while playing at the Science playground.
It is a facility to initiate children into the world of science through interesting outdoor participatory activities. It is developed and designed in a way that it can be used by groups with various backgrounds.
The VASCSC playground has units like Colour filters, Colour mixers, Temperature blocks, Singing pipes, Measuring sand pits, Texture blocks with textures of vegetation, shells and geometric patterns, Simple machines like Gears, Pulley, Evolution pillar etc. These exhibits permit physical activities like seeing, manipulating, bending, touching and while performing these, children learn different scientific concepts like sound, measurement, simple machines, vegetation, temperature, colours etc.
The Centre is planning to improvise and also add some new elements to the science playground.
Laboratories
Laboratories at the Centre have been one of the nodal points in encouraging scientific development among all, especially students and teachers. Emphasis is placed on encouraging the students to question, investigate, collect and organize information about various scientific phenomena.
Programmes in the laboratories include school projects for both students from CBSE as well as state board, training for syllabus related practicals and experiments, making models, etc. They are also free to try their hands at new experiments. Necessary guidance is provided to students and teachers by the experts at the Centre. The laboratories are also involved in developing teaching material and learning aids for students and children.
An illustrative list of experiments and activities conducted in the Centre's laboratories
Biology Laboratory
The Biology laboratory houses a good collection of plant and animal specimens, models as well as instruments required for biological studies.
Projects in Biology for CBSE Students
Chemistry Laboratory
The Chemistry laboratory provides excellent facility for students to explore more in the field of chemistry. All the necessary materials, chemicals, apparatus and guidelines are provided to the students here.
Projects in Chemistry for CBSE Students
Physics Laboratory
The Physics laboratory is well equipped with all the basic facilities related to various fields of physics like mechanics, optics, electronics etc.
Projects in Physics for CBSE Students
Computer Laboratory
The Computer laboratory has been actively involved in developing tailor-made programmes for children, teachers and laypeople. In addition, the Centre has been identified as a certified nodal agency to conduct computer training programmes for primary and secondary school teachers.
Mathematics Laboratory
The Mathematics laboratory has been engaged in developing methods of teaching and learning mathematics, which would supplement traditional modes of imparting education.It has a unique collection of interactive exhibits, model and teaching aids especially created to make mathematics simple.
The mathematics laboratory conducts Mathematics Workshops for schools and institutions on request.
WorkShop
VASCSC has its own in-house full fledged workshop which caters to its requirements related to carpentry, fabrication and finishing work for teaching learning material, exhibits, etc.
Library
The Centre's library has benefitted a large number of students, teachers and also the general community. It is even utilized by the visitors to the Centre. The library has a special reference section as well as a children's section.
It houses a collection of about 15,000 books and also many science journals and magazines to meet the varied reading needs and interests of people of all age groups. There is a collection of reference books pertaining to science and mathematics.
These books provide study material for school children and also advanced reference material for college students. Students who participate in various programmes of the Centre have also been using this facility regularly.
Click on Library Poster for details
Download Library Membership Form
Auditorium
The Centre's auditorium has a seating arrangement for approximately 80 people. This facility is used for Centre's programmes involving lecture sessions, presentations, science movie shows, etc . It is also available to other educational institutions for use, subject to availability.
Model Rocketry
VASCSC runs the Model Rocketry Club that deals with solid fuel rocketry and water booster rocketry. The latter has been launched recently.
Special workshops and competitions are organized for budding rocketeers. These workshops aim to train them in the process of fabrication and designing of model rockets and rocket launching.