Bengaluru, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Karnataka’s Minister of Science and Technology, Ajay Dharam Singh, has reached out to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for assistance in facilitating direct dialogue programs between students and scientists at the state’s science centers. The initiative aims to make science education more practical and experience-based, moving beyond traditional textbook learning.
During a meeting with ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, Singh emphasized that such programs would allow students to gain insights directly from ISRO scientists about space science, research, satellite technology, and potential career paths in science and technology.
Singh remarked that when students have the opportunity to engage directly with scientists, science transforms from being merely an academic subject into a gateway to future opportunities. The experiences and achievements of ISRO scientists can spark curiosity, foster research-oriented thinking, and motivate students to pursue ambitious goals.
The state government is actively working to popularize science among students through the expansion of science centers, mobile digital planetariums, and telescope-based educational programs. Singh noted that the mobile digital planetarium initiative has already reached 3,282 schools, benefiting over 546,000 students and teachers.
Additionally, the Providing Access to Telescopes (PAT) program has made telescopes available to schools and colleges in Karnataka’s residential educational institutions, along with training for science teachers.
Looking ahead, Singh aims to launch the student-scientist dialogue programs at science centers, making space science and technology more engaging and accessible for students. He stressed the importance of not just teaching science but also demonstrating it through experiences and inquiries. Direct interaction with scientists is expected to strengthen scientific thinking among students and help cultivate a new generation of scientists, researchers, and technical experts.
With ISRO’s support, the state government intends to extend these dialogue programs to all science centers across Karnataka, ensuring that students from urban areas, as well as districts and taluks, can connect directly with scientists.
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