Various public programmes at IUCAA
- 2nd Saturday Lecture & Demonstration Programme
- Basic Astronomy Workshops
- Science Toys Activity
Regular Programmes
Age group 13-16
This series of lectures at IUCAA have been in vogue for the past 13 years. On the second saturday of every month (when schools are in session) we host a lecture by invited scientists and personalities, for school children of standard IXth & Xth. The lectures are supplemented with demonstrations and slides. The local schools in our list are sent an invitation and details of the lecture every month. To this they respond by selecting and sending 10 students and one teacher on the respective day.
For Details/Adding your school to our list
Contact: Samir Dhurde - Tel. (020) 25604601
Age group 10-18
These are aimed to give a scientific introduction those who have a popular interest in Astronomy. During these workshops, children explore more about the Universe via some films, slideshows and activities. They find out what kind of astronomy they can do themselves and how they could choose this as their future line of study. We also try to fit in a Q&A session and a visit to the IUCAA Science Park at the end.
The workshops are usually scheduled either on Mondays or Wednesdays as per mutual convenience. The timings are from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Groups of 40-50 (incl. teachers) are welcome.
The calendar of the activities can be checked at this link.
For Details/Booking
Contact: Prasad Adekar - Tel. (020) 25604602 [ prasad.adekar@iucaa.in ]
Age group 10-18
This is a School student's programme. During these visits, the children are shown some scientific principles through a set of creative toys and experiments. They spend their time making "action" toys that spin, fly, whistle and jump. We also try to fit in a visit to the IUCAA Science Park and if possible a small Q&A session at the end.
We encourage visits from a group of 40-50 (incl. teachers), with prior booking. The workshops are usually scheduled either on Tuesdays or Thursdays as per mutual convenience. The timings are from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
The calendar of the activities can be checked at this link and details of the Science Toys are available at this link.
For Details/Booking
Contact: Rupesh Labade - Tel. (020) 25604602 [ rupesh@iucaa.in ]
This is an open programme for anyone, but strictly with prior arrangement
As a way to grow public interest in astronomy and clear many misconceptions, IUCAA has a regular sky-watching session on Friday evenings after sunset. The session begins with an introduction to practical sky watching and the constellations. During the evening the planets, stars, galaxies available in the sky are shown to the assembled group. The 8-inch & 14-inch telescopes on the terrace of the Science Centre are made available for this.
For Details/Booking
Contact: Prasad Adekar - Tel. (020) 25604602 or email: [ scipop@gmail.com ]
IUCAA opens its doors to the public on Thursday afternoons. People are welcome to visit IUCAA, but only with prior arrangement. Since IUCAA is a place of research, we would give preference to study oriented trips rather than sightseeing.
In short, outside visitors are taken on a trip of the IUCAA campus in the Pune University every Thursday after 4 pm.
For Details - Click this link and fill the form.
Contact: Prasad Adekar - Tel. (020) 25604602 [ prasad.adekar@iucaa.in ]
Occasional / Yearly Programmes
This is the Open Day at IUCAA for all public.
The day of the discovery of the Nobel prize winning Raman Effect (~29th Feb), by Prof. C.V.Raman is celebrated every year with great zest as the National Science Day. Visitors can attend and participate in popular science lectures, demonstrations, quiz contest, screening of scientific films, essay writing and drawing competetions for school students etc. Research carried out in IUCAA is showcased for the benefit of all. All are welcome to visit IUCAA on 28th Feb.
For Details Click this link
"Make your own telescope" has attracted over 350 science enthusiasts. The 5-day workshop we usually organise, is to make a 4-inch reflecting (Newtonian) telescope. We give instructions and space to work in our small Lab at IUCAA. The process involves grinding a glass blank, then mirroring, assembling and calibrating it. It gives a deeper insight into the working of telescopes.
The workshops can be undertaken whenever there are two requests in a week. In special cases amateur astronomers can also interact with us for a few weeks to grind a 15-cm (6 inch) mirror. Arrangements for a fruitful session, resulting in good telescopes, are made by the SciPOP team. Dealers in the city can be contacted directly for buying the glass, kit & mount for the telescope.
For Details
Please apply through the online form at the link below. We will get back to you at the earliest.
http://goo.gl/VnFWW
Contact: Tushar Purohit - Tel. (020) 25604603 [ scipop@gmail.com ]
Some realted help literature can be found here
"If you wish to become a scientist, spend time with a working scientist".
This sums up the Summer School Project. Every summer (~6 weeks in April-May), 180 children from Pune schools are invited to spend time at IUCAA. Every week, a batch of about 30 students do some hands-on projects in IUCAA. These Groups of students are attached to a working scientist so that they get a "feel" for science.
This programme is open to students from Pune only. The participation is strictly and only through criteria informed to school heads. Only nominations from respective schools, on a first-come-first-serve basis are considered. Individual entries are not entertained directly.
For Details
Contact: Samir Dhurde - Tel. (020) 25604601 [ scipop@gmail.com ]