Southern States
-
Tamil Nadu-Chennai
Stress on practical research in astronomy
By Our Special Correspondent
CHENNAI, JAN. 23. The need to strengthen basic awareness of astronomy, activate astronomy clubs in institutions and provide low-cost reference material to promote students interest were stressed by speakers at a national conference on `Astronomy and Planetarium Science' here on Wednesday.
They said astronomy was not only an ancient science, but also a fascinating branch of modern science. With a rich tradition in astronomy, there was no dearth of talent in the subject; but it had not been tapped fully. Besides observatories and planetaria, practical research in astronomy was needed. Adequate opportunities should be provided to youngsters to interact with astronomers.
The three-day conference was jointly organised by the T.N. Science and Technology Centre (TNSTC), State Council for Science and Technology (SCST), Science City, Committee on Science and Technology in Developing Countries and T.N.Astronomy Association.
The Education Minister, Thambi Durai, stressed the need for scientific temper in society. Besides formal education, the non-formal sector should play a vital role in meeting the challenges in science and technology. The Minister said a regional-level science centre with planetarium was coming up at Coimbatore. A site had been chosen for a similar facility at Vellore. Plans are afoot to establish science centres in all district headquarters.
The Director, IIT, M. S. Ananth, stressed the need for popularising the science.
The Director, M.P.Birla Planetarium, Kolkata, R. Subramanian, the Adviser and Head, National Council of Science and Technology Communication, Anju Sinha, the Dean, St.Johns Group of Schools, R. Kishore, and the Member-Secretary, SCST, K. Subramanian, spoke.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Southern States
|
