Objectives: - To advance studies of science among school children in rural areas with visualization and demonstrations - To support formal science education in school with practical exposure using various tools and media in vernacular language - To get teachers and parents interested in studies of science for children Area of Focus: Basic Education & Literacy Beneficiaries of the Project: Close to 700,000 students in rural areas of the state of Maharashtra, India, aged between 10 and 15 years, over a period of 7 years Need of the Project: 70 % of Indian population lives in rural areas, which lack basic standards and tools for school education. Exposure to practical demonstrations being limited, it is difficult for students to digest scientific concepts and this lessens their interest in science as a subject. It is imperative to supplement formal education as per curriculum with supporting practical demonstrations. It is also necessary to get rid of superstitions and misconceptions especially prevalent in rural areas regarding certain natural happenings and phenomena. This can be done through demonstrations demystifying how miracles take place. Scope of the Project: - Animated software and Video films in vernacular language on CDs / DVDs prepared specially in tune with the subject of science to demonstrate various occurrences and phenomena - Set of equipment like LCD projectors, screens etc. to show films - A mobile planetarium unit consisting of projecting system, software that will be screened on various subjects in astronomy, along with a hemispherical plastic dome tent with inside screen and other supporting gadgets. The seating capacity of the tent would be around 50 students. - Set of low cost books on different scientific subjects in simple vernacular language - Set of Posters in vernacular language based on various scientific topics - Set of various equipment and tools required to perform demonstrations to demystify miracles - A van to transport all the equipment and material as well as attending instructors - Training material and instruction manuals Partner in the Project: “Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti” (ANS), a non-governmental organization, working for social cause of advancement of scientific attitude and eradication of superstition, will partner the Club in this project (http://antisuperstition.org/). ANS has a long history of 24 years of successful mission and activities in related areas.