Igniting Minds: DIY Science Revolution At A NMC School
This is the Young Kalam Discovery Science Centre, a vibrant space where learning becomes an experience, not a lecture.
Launched by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in partnership with the HCL Foundation and the Social Economic Development Trust (SEDT), the centre is designed to spark scientific thinking among students of Classes 5 to 10 studying in NMC-run schools. The goal is to cultivate a generation of thinkers, creators, and innovators who engage with science not as a subject, but as a tool to understand the world.
"This centre allows students to experience science," explains additional municipal commissioner Vaishnavi B. "They don't just hear about Newton's Laws or DNA structures — they see them in action and understand how it applies to real life."
The process begins with a 30-mark objective test to evaluate students' existing knowledge, followed by immersive experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years
IC Markets
Learn More
Undo
The initiative enjoys strong backing from municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari. During a recent visit to the centre, Chaudhari expressed his appreciation for the initiative's ability to transform dry classroom theory into exciting learning journeys. "It's about building scientific temper, as envisioned by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam," Chaudhari said.
The science centre's journey began in 2017, when NMC and HCL Foundation first collaborated to introduce interactive science education tools for municipal school students.
Initially based in Lalganj, the centre was shifted to Barrister Sheshrao Wankhede Vidyaniketan in Ramdaspeth in 2019. Three classrooms were redesigned into full-fledged science laboratories. The materials and experimental kits used at the centre were sourced from HCL Foundation's hub in Kerwadi, Parbhani, known for its pioneering work in rural science education.
The centre's team of facilitators, including Nikhil Lakshane and Kalidas Nakade, bring science alive through engaging, demonstrative teaching.
Each session is carefully curated to align with the school curriculum while going far beyond textbook explanations. Students handle solar energy models, DNA helix kits, Newton's colour wheel, water harvesting systems, and even soil-type samplers.
"Hands-on learning brings clarity," says Lakshane, adding: "Students who were once unsure about basic principles now articulate them confidently." After going through the experiments, students take another test, and the improvement in scores often surprises both students and teachers.
Beyond the curriculum, the centre nurtures creative scientific expression. Students are encouraged to design and present their own models at science festivals. Many have gone on to win Inspire Awards, a national initiative recognising innovative projects built by young minds.
The three laboratories are filled with vibrant, tactile teaching tools, from a model of the Tower of Pisa demonstrating centre of gravity to interactive games explaining solar and lunar eclipses.
Students explore human anatomy, illusions, wind turbines, and more — all designed to make complex ideas accessible and exciting.
"Children remember what they enjoy," says Sadhana Sayam, NMC's education officer. "These labs not only build knowledge but also foster imagination and problem-solving. They leave children wondering, exploring, and dreaming bigger," she adds.
As India seeks to strengthen its future in science and innovation, initiatives like the Young Kalam Discovery Science Centre are quietly, yet powerfully, laying the foundation — one experiment at a time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Who are the Africanized ‘killer bees' spreading across the U.S.?
Across parts of the U.S., a hybrid bee species is turning everyday moments—like mowing the lawn or hiking a trail—into near-deadly encounters. Africanized honey bees, commonly (and ominously) known as 'killer bees,' have slowly spread into 13 U.S. states, leaving behind a growing list of victims and warnings. They look nearly identical to the gentle European honeybees we rely on for pollination, but don't be fooled—these bees don't back down. As per a report by USA TODAY, in the past few months alone, these bees have been responsible for several terrifying incidents: a man was fatally attacked while mowing his lawn, three hospitalized after disturbing a tree-bound hive, hikers were chased a mile, and three horses killed after being swarmed by thousands of stings. Why are these bees so aggressive? Scientists say the bees' temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators. And since honey bees die after stinging, these acts are sacrificial, meant to protect their colony. But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees sure seem aggressive, spiteful, and terrifying. They've been known to follow victims for up to a mile—even chasing cars and trucks—and can sting through regular beekeeping suits. How did they get here? Africanized honeybees are a cross between Western honeybees from Europe and East African lowland honeybees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Though they look like European honeybees, they are known for their aggressive defensive behavior, including swarming, pursuing intruders over longer distances, and attacking in larger groups. Africanized honeybees first arrived in South America in 1956. A Brazilian geneticist, Warwick Kerr, brought East African lowland honeybees to Brazil to hybridize with Western honeybees. A year later, 26 Africanized queen bees were accidentally released into a nearby forest, and they thrived. The hybrid species reached South Texas in 1990 and has been moving northward ever since. Where are they found now? Africanized honeybees are now present in 13 states, mainly across the South and Southwest. Feral colonies are common in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and especially Texas. They've also been seen in southwest Arkansas, southern Utah, and about two-thirds of Oklahoma, according to Allen Szalanski, professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas. They prefer warm, dry climates and don't survive in areas with cold winters or high rainfall, creating natural geographic limits. How dangerous are Africanized bees? Their danger lies not in the venom itself, but in the numbers. A Western honeybee colony might defend itself with a few dozen stings. But Africanized bees? They send out hundreds or even thousands. Each bee dies after stinging, but collectively, the attack can be fatal. Researchers say the LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of people) is about nine stings per pound of body weight. So for someone weighing 150 pounds, 1,350 stings could be deadly—a real possibility with Africanized swarms. What should you do if you encounter them? Run. Don't swat. Don't jump into water. Just run. Tethered pets or livestock are at greater risk, as they can't escape. Loud machinery like mowers can also put people in danger by agitating nearby colonies without warning.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla shares mesmerising view of Earth from International Space Station
Image: Axiom Space Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), has shared stunning images of Earth from space, captivating millions across India and beyond. In his latest pictures, Shukla is seen seated at the edge of the ISS's iconic 7-windowed Cupola Module , with the vast, blue planet Earth majestically visible in the background. These panoramic views highlight the beauty of our home planet, inspiring pride and a renewed sense of global unity. Shukla's journey aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission marks a historic milestone for India's space ambitions. Shubhashu Shukla's historic mission and arrival at ISS Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission , launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA 's Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025. After a 28-hour journey, the crew, including veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish scientist Slawosz Uznanski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, successfully docked with the ISS on June 26. Shukla serves as the mission pilot, contributing to scientific research and technology demonstrations during the 14-day mission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The iconic Cupola Module: A window to Earth The Cupola Module, with its seven windows, offers astronauts an unparalleled panoramic view of Earth and space. Shukla's photographs from this vantage point reveal breathtaking scenes of continents, oceans, and weather patterns, emphasizing the planet's interconnectedness. His images have been widely shared on social media platforms, including the Indian government's official X account (formerly Twitter), where they have garnered immense admiration and pride. Scientific endeavors and outreach Beyond capturing mesmerizing visuals, Shukla is actively engaged in critical scientific investigations aboard the ISS. One key experiment focuses on myogenesis, studying how microgravity accelerates muscle atrophy — a challenge for long-duration spaceflight. The data collected is vital for future missions deeper into space and for understanding muscle degeneration on Earth. Alongside research, Shukla participates in global outreach, inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers in India and worldwide. A message of unity from space In conversations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shukla described seeing India from space as a profound experience, noting that the country appeared "much larger and grander" than on any map. He remarked on the absence of visible borders from orbit, expressing a powerful sense of oneness and shared humanity. This perspective resonates deeply as India celebrates its growing presence in the international space community. National pride and inspiration The release of Shukla's spaceborne photographs has sparked widespread excitement across India. Social media is abuzz with admiration for the astronaut's achievement and the spectacular views he has shared. His journey symbolizes a new era for Indian space exploration, inspiring millions to dream beyond Earth's boundaries and fostering a spirit of scientific curiosity and national pride.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Shux, Ax-4 crew carry out multiple studies on brain
More than halfway through their journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux) and the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew have plunged deep into a battery of neuroscience experiments designed to decode how spaceflight alters memory, perception, speech, and even the body's stress response. From virtual reality headsets to voice analysis and functional brain scans, the crew's research is laying the foundation for safer, smarter, and longer human missions beyond Earth, while also holding the potential to yield insights for life on Earth. Inside the weightless lab, crew members donned a VR headset for the Neuromotion VR study, navigating attention-based tasks while wearing a cap lined with fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) sensors. As per Axiom Space, these sensors track blood flow in the brain, offering real-time insight into how microgravity affects focus, planning, and movement. To triangulate these findings, astronauts also provided saliva and tear samples—biological markers that may reveal stress and neurochemical shifts in space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Adding another layer to brain research, the team participated in the Voice in Space experiment, which could one day allow AI to detect signs of cognitive fatigue or stress based on speech alone. Cognitive flexibility was put to the test through the Acquired Equivalence Test, a psychological challenge that gauges associative learning in disorienting conditions. By measuring how astronauts process flipped or rotated visual cues in orbit compared to pre-and-post-flight performance, researchers hope to understand how the brain learns and adapts in unfamiliar environments. Mental acuity wasn't the only focus. The Ax-4 team contributed to 'ENPERCHAR', a perceptual awareness study analysing how spatial orientation and environmental awareness shift without gravity's pull. These insights are essential for designing future spacecraft and habitats that foster both mental and physical well-being. The Voyager Displays project also had the crew assessing eye movement, gaze tracking, and pointing accuracy. Simple tasks, like selecting a control or tracking motion, become more mentally taxing in microgravity. Understanding the link between cognition, stress, and sensorimotor function will help engineers build better, more intuitive systems for astronauts. Beyond the brain, Shukla continued operations for the Myogenesis study inside the Life Sciences Glovebox, examining the molecular drivers of muscle atrophy in space. The crew also explored neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a potential countermeasure, paving the way for breakthroughs that could benefit patients on Earth with age-related muscle decline or reduced mobility. From muscle loss to memory, and motion control to mental resilience, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew are trying to uncover what it truly means to take the human mind off Earth. Their efforts aren't just shaping the future of spaceflight—they're helping decode the biology of thought itself.
