Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India (SPSTI), a non-profit organization based at Panchkula, founded by 37 leading scientists and administrators of Tri-City in 2009, has undertaken impactful endeavours in its unwavering pursuit of popularizing science and technology among masses. Since its inception, SPSTI has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering scientific curiosity and knowledge dissemination among diverse segments of society.

 

Throughout the past year, SPSTI has actively engaged in multifaceted programs designed to instill a passion for science and technology among students, educators, and the broader community. The cornerstone of the efforts lies in the dynamic Mobile Science Laboratory – Circus of Science, which has brought the wonders of science directly to the doorsteps of schools and communities. This mobile lab, equipped with fascinating experiments and demonstrations, has sparked curiosity and excitement among students, providing them with tangible experiences that transcend traditional classroom learning.

 

Moreover, other initiatives, such as the Summer Schools in Science & Mathematics are meticulously crafted to inspire and educate the younger generation. These immersive programs, coupled with interactive sessions, hands-on experiments, and mentorship opportunities, have continued to nurture young minds, fueling their enthusiasm for scientific exploration and innovation.

 

In addition to these initiatives, SPSTI has played a pivotal role in hosting an array of impactful events, including thought-provoking Public & Popular Lectures. Distinguished speakers, eminent scientists, and renowned academicians have graced these platforms, sharing their expertise and insights on cutting-edge advancements in science and technology. These lectures, coupled with engaging panel discussions, have served as pillars of knowledge dissemination, enriching the scientific ecosystem and fostering a spirit of inquiry. A review of the activities carried out in the Year follows:

 

A review of the activities carried out in the year 2023 follows:

 

  1. Mobile Science Laboratory – Circus of Science, ‘Vigyan Ka Jantar Mantar’ visited 112 schools in Ambala district. More than 18,552 students participated in hands-on experiment-based sessions. The project, launched by Hon’ble CM Haryana in 2016, operates with support from the National Council for Science & Technology Communication, DST, Govt. of India, and Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation & Technology.
  2. Twenty-one days of ‘Summer Schools in Science and Mathematics‘ were organized in nine districts of Haryana, including Panchkula, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Yamunanagar, Jind, Palwal, and Dadawas (Gurugram). The program, supported by the Department of School Education, Govt. of Haryana, ISGEC Ltd. and associated philanthropists,  involved forty-five students of UG/PG selected as mentors from IITs/NITs/IISERs/Central Universities/Delhi University, etc. More than 1,378 students from classes 9th-12th attended these camps, which included teaching scientific fundamentals, career awareness sessions, experimental exposures, lab visits, etc.
  3. The Society has established a Vigyan Mandir, in association with Shivananda Centre of Excellence, run by ASHI Haryana, a Panchkula based NGO, at a village Kakkar Majra on Panchkula-Yamunanagar Highway. Under this unique initiative, a science room with 10 computers has been set-up in the Vigyan Mandir. These computers have been donated by an Chandigarh based IT Park company. The initiative is envisaged to cater for the school and out of the school children.
  4. Fifteen Days’ Science Exhibition at International Gita Mahotsav in December 2023 engaged thousands of visitors from different parts of India. The program included daily Astronomical Moon-Gazing Activity with the help of Telescopes, demonstration of 3D Printing Technology, for the general people.
  5. Seven Science Stage shows were conducted at different places of Haryana and Punjab and engaged more than 2200 students.
  6. Sky-Watch Program was conducted with support from Department of Science, Technology and Renewable Energy, Chandigarh Administration to witness the rare Green Comet from Leisure Valley, Chandigarh
  7. National Mathematics Day Celebrated at Amity University Punjab Mohali on 22 December, 2023. Prof. Approva Khare, an eminent Mathematician from IISc Banglore and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Awardee delivered an interactive lecture for the school students and teachers.
  8. National Science Day 2023 celebrated on 28th Feb, 2023  by holding a Popular Lecture on Life and Times of C V Raman and an Exhibition at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Ladwa (Kurukshetra)
  9. Lecture and Science Camp at Tagore Public School, Dhand, Kaithal (Haryana) organized in collaboration with Chandigarh Chapters of Indian National Young Academy of Sciences and CSIR-CSIO- Chandigarh.
  10. Six science exhibitions were held at different places, with 2,100 students witnessing the events.
  11. ‘Festival of Science‘, a mega event, was organized at DAV College Bathinda. The event was supported by NCSTC, DST-GoI, and organized in collaboration with Punjab State Council for Science & Technology and District Administration, Bathinda. More than 4,500 students from schools and colleges witnessed the festival.
  12. Consumer Awareness Programs  were organized in association with Bureau of Indian Standards, Govt. of India. SPSTI also signed a MoU with BIS to organize the programs in rural areas.

 

Lectures Series – ‘Vision of Institutions in North-West India in run-up to India@100 in 2047’

 

  1. ‘Vision for NIPER Mohali’, Prof. Dulal Panda, Director, NIPER Mohali (Recorded Lecture)
  2. ‘Vision for Institute of Microbial Technology’, Dr. Sanjeev Khosla, Director, IMTech Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture)
  3.  ‘On 10th Foundation Day of INST’, Prof. Amitava Patra, Director, Institute of Nano Science & Technology, Mohali (Recorded Lecture)
  4. ‘Vision for IIT Ropar’, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar (Recorded Lecture)
  5. ‘Student-Centric Innovations at J. K. Lakshmipat University‘, Prof. Dheeraj Sanghi, Vice Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur (Recorded Lecture)
  6. ‘Vision for Amity University Punjab, Prof. R K Kohli, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Punjab Mohali (Recorded Lecture).
  7. ‘Breaking Boundaries & Cultivating Innovation – Pioneering the Future of Agri-Food Biotechnology & Bio-manufacturing at NABI and CIAB‘, Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, NABI, Mohali
  8. ‘Vision for Panjab University Chandigarh’, Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture)

 

Lectures under the series ‘Nobel Prizes 2023’  -supported by Department of Science, Technology and Renewable Energy, Chandigarh Administration

 

  1. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023, Prof. Javed N. Agrewala, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Ropar (Recorded Lecture).
  2. Nobel Prize in Literature 2023, Prof. Pushpinder Syal, Professor (Retd.), Department of English & Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture).
  3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023, Dr. Nishima Wangoo, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Applied Sciences at UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture).

 

Other Popular Lectures by Eminent Scientists

 

  1. ‘From Galileo to James Webb Space Telescope – The Forward March of Astronomy’, Prof. Ajit Kembhavi, Professor Emeritus, Former Director & Former Raja Ramanna Fellow at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune. (Recorded Lecture)
  2. “Climate change induced Geohazards in the Himalayas and Plausible Mitigation“, Dr. Kalachand Sain, Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun (Recorded Lecture).
  3.  ‘C V Raman and the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics‘, Prof. Arun K. Grover, Former Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture).
  4. Less Known Success Stories of Indian Science – Transforming India, Prof. L S Shashidhara, Director, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) – TIFR, Bengaluru (Recorded Lecture).
  5. Panel Discussion on ‘Towards More Harmony and Inclusiveness in HEI Campuses’ (Recorded)
  6.  ‘ChatGPT in Teaching and Research’, Prof. Rajat Sandhir, Dept. of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture)
  7. ‘From Galileo to James Webb Space Telescope – The Forward March of Astronomy’. Prof. Ajit Kembhavi delivered the lecture at DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh (Recorded Lecture).
  8. ‘Legendary Dr. M S Swaminathan: An Accessible Intellectual Giant‘, Prof. B. S. Dhillon, FNA, FNAAS, FNASc, FPAS, Padma Shri, Former Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana (Recorded Lecture).