Appeal to make Goa a science hub
Need to promote scientific temper in State
Appeal to make Goa a science hub
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Emphasis was laid on the need to promote the scientific temper in the State at the inauguration of the first Science Film Festival of India (SCI-FFI). The festival, the first of its kind in the country includes screening popular science fiction as well as interactive sessions on scientific methods and hands on workshops that will last till January 17.
Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday, Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) chairperson Damu Naik said the event would be an annual one reiterating the need to promote science especially among the children.
Also present at the inauguration, Srinivas Dempo pointed to the need to inspire students through the medium of sound and video.
“Audio and visual means are probably the most important and best ways to catch the attention of children. What better way than through film? This festival is a good initiative and is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Also speaking to media persons earlier in the day, Dr SWA Naqvi, chairman, Organizing Committee said the tradition of science exists but that there was a need to rejuvenate it.
“We are in fact, through the organizing of the festival, following our constitutional right of promoting scientific temper. I appeal to the people of Goa not to take this festival lightly but make use of it to its entirety. Goa very well can be the hub of science and with the improvements we are making, it will be,” he said.
Among screening films and documentaries, the festival will also feature workshops in astronomy, mobile apps and rocket making in the next three days.
Dr Arvind Ranade, said his intention is to involve students in understanding astronomy through role play. “Young minds are full of curiosity, the smallest question can unravel many answers and the best way to quell these mysteries is go to the root. Understanding the basic earth systems like day & night, eclipse, why do you see the moon even at 10 O'Clock sometimes? These questions and many more will be addressed during the session,” he said.
Mobile app developer Prajyot Mainkar said his focus would be to use basic algorithms and flow charts to design apps and that the process oriented mobile app development drag & drop, puzzle attachment.
Practicality and model rocketry will be taken up by Divyashu Poddar from Rocketeers, a team of current and ex-ISRO scientist.
A temporary planetarium is also set up at the INOX courtyard by Fulldome.pro, a technology company that provides turnkey solutions for digital planetariums and visualization theatres.
