Biju Dharmapalan
It is widely known that effective and good science communication is a critical feature that leads to strong support for students’ core competency for their science literacy. Scientific knowledge can be increased by fostering better communication between scientists and the public or young pupils. This level of detail can be a powerful motivator for young people interested in pursuing careers in scientific areas. Science festivals are events that aim to promote public engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They often include various activities, such as hands-on demonstrations, lectures, workshops, and exhibits designed to make STEM subjects more accessible and engaging for people of all ages. Science festivals can be organized by schools, universities, museums, community organizations, and other groups. They are often held annually and are typically free or low-cost to attend. Science festivals are community-wide celebrations of science and technology that can last from a few days to a few weeks and feature events at various locations. Many science festivals have taken place throughout the world because scholars in the field of science communication argue that doing so is an effective strategy to disseminate knowledge about scientific topics to the general population.
The Edinburgh International Scientific Festival, the forerunner of today’s science festival movement, was established in 1989. Since then, science festivals have become a widespread method of introducing the general people to scientific ideas and experiments. Hundreds of festivals now take place annually all over the world.
The countdown for one of the premier science festivals in the world, the India International Science Festival, IISF 2022 has begun. The India International Science Festival (IISF) was started by the Government of India’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Science in collaboration with Vijnana Bharati, a Swadeshi-inspired scientific movement spearheaded by some of the country’s most renowned researchers in 2005. Over the period, the festival has gathered national and international attention and thousands of Indian and foreign delegates participate in this mega festival. The eighth edition of IISF will be organized at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology in Bhopal from Jan 21 to Jan 24. The four-day festival, titled ‘Marching Towards Amrit Kaal through Science, Technology and Innovation,’ .
The responsibility to organise this celebration of the Indian scientific community has been given to the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The event started by Vigyan Bharti will see DBT working with various ministries and departments, including the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Various educational institutions from across the country and the Government of Madhya Pradesh are also involved in making this event a success. This year, IISF-2022 will organize 15 sessions, of which the Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy would perhaps be the biggest attractions. More than one lakh people, including around 8000 participants, are expected to attend the four-day event in Bhopal. In this event, 15 programs and activities related to science will be held. These include Artisans Technology Village – Vocal for Local -a grassroots initiative by the Government of India for local art and artisans. This activity will provide an international platform for these artisans, and their handicrafts, and also give a boost to art that is on the verge of extinction. Apart from this Face-to-face with new frontiers in science, International Science Film Festival, Mega Science & Technology Exhibition, National Social Organizations and Institution Meet, New Age Technologies Show ,Science Through Games and Toys, Start up conclave, state science & technology conclave, Students’ innovation festival, Students science village, Vigyanika-science literature festival, Young scientists conference, Mentoring & counselling will be held. The Guinness Book of World Records, an integral part of IISF, brings global recognition to Indian talent. Every year, global records are set by school students who conduct various science experiments collectively. This year the world records set over the last seven years will also be on display. The events are designed in such a manner to make youngsters realize the importance of transdisciplinary learning and to provide a holistic approach to human development catering to the needs of the next century.
The objective of IISF is to provide a platform for scientists, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, students, and the general public to exchange ideas and to place Vedic science and ancient Indian knowledge on a global platform. This helps disseminate India’s scientific achievements and innovation.
Being one of the significant events to be held after India took over the G-20 Presidency, it will give an edge to showcase Indian scientific accomplishments globally. The activities of the festival will foster the global theme of G20-” One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
(The author is a science communicator and columnist )
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