Science can be dramatic too

On the occasion of World Science Day, celebrated every year on November 10 by the UNESCO, Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) has organised a state-level 'Science Drama Competition' for secondary school students on Thursday.
This year, UNESCO has chosen to celebrate the day with the theme 'Towards green societies: equity, inclusiveness, participation.'

Schools from 16 districts are participating in the two-day event that began at Science City on Thursday. Each group has eight actors and one director and a scriptwriter. Each team presented a play that had to be within a time limit of 30 minutes. The winning team will participate in the zonal level at Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai.

The competition was organised keeping in mind the six sub-themes which include biodiversity, wonder world of chemistry, life and works of scientists, water, and energy. The whole competition has been divided into three areas: state-level science drama competition on science and society, hands-on science workshop for science teachers from municipal schools, and 'science for all'. 'Science for all' includes various activities for children, including poster painting, debate and film screening.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Dr Srikant Mohapatra, regional director of Indira Gandhi National Open University, and BS Bhatia, former director, DECU-ISRO. Prominent dramatist and actor, Ketan Kharsani, was present and acted as a jury member. Bhatia spoke about the objective of eradicating superstition through the reasoning of science.

Dr Narottam Sahoo, advisor to Science City, said the competition celebrates inclusiveness. Giving an example, he said mobile phone which earlier used to be a status symbol can now be seen in the hands of the common man because of science and technology.

According to Shyam Thakore, project manager of GUJCOST, school education nowadays has become stereotypical. "Drama as a medium is a very good tool to make people aware of science in life around us,'' he said.

Thakore also said that the competition was an attempt to eradicate the rural-urban divide. "It is generally believed that since urban students have better resources, they are better. But, in fact, the rural students' approach is more appealing as they are more close to  difficulties," said Thakore.