Enhancing Change Through Science Centres
Contents: Foreword/M. Mangena. Preface/Aman Kumar Maulloo and Lebs Mphahlele. Introduction/Arun P. Kulshreshtha. I. Keynote address: 1. The Science Centre Movement in India/Ingit K. Mukhopadhyay. 2. The role of science and technology in developing countries/Joaquin Fargas. II. Evolution of science centres: 3. Social appropriation of science and technology/Elizabeth Hoyos. 4. Enhancing the reach through digitalisation/K.G. Kumar. 5. Role of Pushpa Gujral Science City for sustainable development/R.S. Khandpur. 6. Outreach policy of science centres/Iskandar. 7. Science, religion and history: a case study/Phyllis Lam Li Wan. 8. Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre: contributing to the development of Mauritius/Aman Kumar Maulloo. 9. Science Awareness Campaigns/Syed Azhar Hasan. 10. Scientific education in the Vietnamese Museum System/Ngo Thi Loan and Thai Van Tan. 11. The scientific bases of weather modification: popularising applied science through specialised centres/Mladjen Curic. III. Rationale for the establishment of science centres: 12. Potential contribution of science centres to performance in schools/Thato Bolila and Mpho Sekhosana-Nyenye. 13. Status of the establishment of science centres in Malawi/Rex Kanjedza. 14. Setting up science centres: Sri Lankan experience/M.C.N. Jayasuriya. 15. Investment in science, technology and innovation/Gwakisa Bapala. 16. Scientific centres in Cuba: guarantying sustainable development/Lilliam Alvarez Diaz. 17. The rise of a science and society culture in Turkey/Ilay Celik and F. Kubra Gokdemir. 18. International Volunteer Programme/Nakano Hideo. 19. Traditional technology revived in Southern most Malawi/Mike Gondwe and Menno Welling. 20. Museums: bases for scientific knowledge/Yvonne Ruwe Mulala. 21. Role of science Parks in Nigeria/M.A. Jolaoso, R.N. Ihenacho, D.B. Ayo and P.A. Onwualu. 22. Science culture in India/Vinay B. Kamble. IV. Science centre policies: 23. State support for the development of a network of science centres in South Africa/K.M. Lebs Mphahlele and T.I. Ramovha. 24. Scientific research centres in Iran: an overview/Akram Ghadimi and Tahmineh Shaverdi. 25. Sustainable research through international cooperation/Tran Dung Tien and Luc Gia Thai. 26. Achievements of a Research Council: the case of Zimbabwe/Susan Muzite. 27. An analysis of Malawi\'s Scientific output/Mzamose Pumula Gondwe. 28. Role of COMSATS Science and Technology for sustainable development in the South/Tajammul Hussain. The editors.
"In our rapidly changing world, there is a great need for the public understanding of science and technology to create more science literate society at all age levels. Science centres and science museums are vital and powerful media for popularisation of science and creating a scientific temper across the globe. Science centres are among those institutions that can play a role in showcasing science to common people, whereas museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. The mission statements of science centres and modern museums may vary, but all make science accessible to one and all and encourage the excitement of discovery. They are an integral and dynamic part of the learning environment, promoting exploration from the first \'Eureka!\' moment to today\'s cutting edge research.
In order to address some of the pertinent issues and review the latest status of development related to science centres, science museums, science popularisation and science education, the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and other Developing Countries (NAM S and T Centre) organized its Fifth International Workshop in its Science Centre Series at Johannesburg, South Africa during 25-28 February 2008 and in pursuance thereof, has brought out this publication which includes 28 scientific articles and review papers. This reference material will help the entire scientific community of developing countries in executing proper plans and strategies for inspiring the scientific values and temper among their people." (jacket)
