Mumbai: An innovative Science Express exhibition train will chug into Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on July 19 to get children not only interested in science and technology but also to raise awareness about climate change.
Travelling across India since October 2007, the train has made eight rounds of the country, travelling about 156,000km and exhibiting in 507 locations. The current ninth phase, called Science Express Climate Action Special (SECAS), which started on February 17 and will go on until September 8, will cover 19,000km and be exhibited at 68 stations across India.
After SECAS became the successful climate change awareness programme in 2015-16, the current SECAS is a good opportunity to generate dialogue and discussion. This is a collaborative initiative of Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Railways, Wildlife Institute of India and Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre.
The state-of-the-art exhibition on board the SECAS aims to create awareness, especially among school- and college-going students, as to how climate change can be combated through mitigation and adaptation.
Each of the 16 coaches have broad themes such as understanding climate change, the greenhouse gas effect, human contribution to the phenomenon, its impact, adaptation in rural and urban contexts, mitigation, etc. A Kids’ Zone is set up for children up to grade five to participate in fun-filled activities and The Joy of Science Hands-on Lab in coach 13 is a space for students from Class six-10.
Although the exhibition is primarily meant for teachers and students, lay persons are also encouraged to visit and understand the impact of climate change. The train is currently in Madgaon, Goa, and will travel to Ratnagiri before chugging into Mumbai’s CSMT.
