ACHIEVEMENTS OF SUKANTA ACADEMY FROM 1998 TO 2002.

Introduction and background.

Tripura is the only State in India where the State Govt. has taken initiative to set up a Science, Arts & Cultural Complex to inculcate the spirit of inquiry and popularization of Science amongst the students. Besides school education system there is hardly any scope exists for non-formal education or enrichment of school education. From the year 1980, different types of Science popularization programmes are being carried out in the State. In the year 1985, two small community center was established in North & South Tripura Districts for conducting Science popularization activities. After evaluation, it was seen that both the Centers have created a sensation amongst the rural people of Tripura. At this stage, it was felt to establish a Science, Arts & Cultural Center from where all the Science popularization activities and other cultural and scientific activities will be carried out for the students and general public. From this idea the project for establishment of Sukanta Academy for Science, Arts & Culture was conceived. The Center has been opened partially in the month of February’1997 with few exhibits.

NEW EXHIBITS / GALLERIES / FACILITIES ADDED FROM 1998 TO 2002.

i.Energy park :-This park provides opportunity to the visitors to operate big and bulky attractive exhibits regarding non-conventional Energy devices. The main aim of this park are as follows:-

a)Educate the student and public about the various Renewable Energy sources.

b)Make familiar the application of Renewable Energy sources.

c)Demonstrate the working of various Renewable Energy devices.

d)Make well known the fundamental of Renewable Energy principles.

e)Update the knowledge in Renewable Energy application.

For setting up of this park an amount of Rs. 10 lakhs has been spent out of which an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs has been received from North Eastern Council.

ii.Aquarium:-An aquarium having 11 chambers have been renovated and opened to the public with the following species – Piaranha, Angel, Tiger Shark, Prawn, Tiger Barb, Gold Fish, Crocodile Fish, Blue Gorami etc.

iii.Opening of Railway Gallery:- To familiarize different types of railway engines some working model of railway engines have been displayed . These exhibits have been collected from National Railway Museum, Delhi. The installation of the exhibit have also been done by Railway Ministry. The cost of the exhibit to the amount of Rs. 10 lakhs have been given by Railway Ministry.

iv.Opening of information and sales counter :-To provide information regarding science popularization activities and also to sale scientific games, Quiz, Models, Books etc. this counter has been opened. NCSTC, Govt. of India has agreed to supply materials with subsidized cost.

v.Pet Corner:-To encourage love for animals a pet corner has been opened which is now very popular amongst the students.

vi.Science Park :-In the front side of the Sukanta Academy a science park has been developed. Necessary plantation, creation of lawns and hedge fencing has already been completed. New exhibits and a big model of Dinosour will be installed for which NCSM has already taken initiative. Design and drawing of the science park for back side of Suknta Academy is already completed.

vii.Fun science Galleries:-Works for two new fun science galleries have been completed. The gallery provides opportunity to the students to operate ‘Hands on’ exhibits regarding Gravity, Mathematics, Pendulam, Sound, Colour, Light, Magnetism, Optical illusion etc. the exhibits have been collected from NCSM. A project proposal was sent to Ministry of HRD for an amount of Rs. 40 lakhs (cost of 80 exhibits). Ministry of HRD has instructed Ncsm to supply the exhibits free of cost. NCSM has supplied 20 exhibits as per the approval of Ministry of HRD.

viii.Film show / Video show arrangement:- A new corner has been developed to show Scientific films daily to the students.Necessary Video cassettes have been received from different organization.

ix.Computer and Inter-net Section:-A new Section with Computer and Inter-net facilities has been created to give basic knowledge of Computer and surfing of Inter-net. Facilities are available for the students to play Quiz games regarding Solar Energy, Energy in Daily Life, Nuclear energy and Astronomy. Daily Sky charts are also available.

PROGRAMMES

Since creation of this Center different types of educational activities have been carried out for the students inside the Sukanta Academy premises and also in some schools of the other Districts. The names of the different major programmes are as follows.

i.Leonid Meteor Shower.

ii.World Environment Day.

iii.Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day.

iv.Solar Eclipse.

v.Lunar Eclipse.

vi.Sky Observation Camp.

vii.Celebration of National Science Day.

viii.Computer awareness campaign.

ix.Science Demonstration Lecture.

x.Do it yourself to explore and learn Science.

xi.Workshop on basic Electronics.

xii.Training programme for decorative piece from used polybags.

xiii.Popular talk on Astronomy and Celestial object.

xiv.Sukanta Janma Jayanti celebration.

xv.Sit and Draw competition.

xvi.Nature Activity Camp.

xvii.Recitation Competition and Dance Drama.

Beside the above-mentioned programmes, some programmes have also been organized in collaboration with DAVP, State Engineer Association and ICAT Department.