The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination - Sir Albert Einstein.
REGIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE, GUWAHATI
Regional Science Centre, Guwahati is a vibrant hub of science education that brings scientific concepts to life in an informal way, offering hands-on experiences and activity-driven learning. The science museum, nestled on a sprawling 6-acre campus on the outskirts of Guwahati city, offers a dynamic blend of interactive exhibits through outdoor displays, indoor attractions and 3D experiences on scientific discovery, offering a rich array of attractions that educate, entertain and inspire.
The centre, established in 1994 and administered by National Council of Science Museums, is designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of science and technology among people, span across various domains. From interactive Science Park and Prehistoric Park to the cutting-edge Digital Planetarium and 3D cinema, RSC’s specialized facilities like an Innovation Hub, Science Shows & Workshops make it a multifaceted destination for science education and discovery.
RSC, GUWAHATI TIMINGS & COST
TIMINGS
9.30 am - 6 pm. (Everyday Open Except Holi & Diwali). Counter Closes at 5.30 pm.
TICKET PRICES
Entry Fee - Rs 30 For General Visitors, Rs 15 Per Head For Organized Private School Groups & Rs 10 Per Head For Organized Government School Groups. Tickets For Individual Facilities Range From Rs 10 - 30.
RSC, GUWAHATI ATTRACTIONS
OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
SCIENCE PARK
The vibrant Science Park serves as a playground for scientific discovery, featuring a variety of interactive exhibits, enabling inventing minds to explore fundamental scientific principles in an engaging and hands-on manner. Science Park is particularly popular among students, as it encourages experimentation and critical thinking in an open and playful environment. For instance, exhibits like -
i) Magic Tap, which appears to defy gravity by pouring water without a visible source, captivate visitors by demonstrating principles of fluid dynamics.
ii) The Cliff Lift and other simple machines showcase mechanics.
iii) Exhibits on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, highlight sustainable technologies.
iv) Telescopes and binoculars are also available for visitors to experiment with optics, fostering an appreciation for astronomy and observation.
PREHISTORIC PARK
Adjacent to the Science Park, Prehistoric Park transports visitors back in time with life-sized models and exhibits of dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. This outdoor gallery provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the fascinating world of prehistoric life. The park’s displays are designed to educate visitors about evolutionary biology and paleontology, making it a favorite among children and history enthusiasts. Its educational value and ability to spark imagination remain undeniable.
BUTTERFLY CORNER
Butterfly Corner is a delightful attraction that showcases the beauty and diversity of butterflies, offering ideas on their life cycles and ecological importance. This exhibit appeals to nature lovers, providing a serene contrast to the more technology-driven displays.
MEDICINAL AROMATIC GARDEN Medicinal Aromatic Plant Garden showcases a diverse collection of therapeutic and fragrant plant species and promotes awareness of plant-based remedies. With over 50 varieties such as tulsi, citronella, lemon grass and mint, the garden educates visitors about traditional healing uses, essential oil extraction and cultivation techniques. Interactive signboards explain each plant’s botanical features and medicinal benefits. Visitors also learn biodiversity conservation and sustainable herbal practices with an engaging and sensory experience.
MIG-21 CORNER
MIG-21 Corner showcases a variety of aircraft, providing wider knowledge on aviation technology and its history. This display is particularly appealing to those interested in engineering and aerospace, offering a tangible connection to the science of flight. MIG-21 compliments the center’s focus on innovation, highlighting how scientific advancements have shaped modern transportation.
INDOOR ATTRACTIONS
FUN SCIENCE GALLERY
Fun Science Gallery features over 50 hands-on science exhibits that allow science enthusiasts, especially students to interact directly with scientific principles. From experiments demonstrating the laws of motion to displays exploring electricity and magnetism, this section makes learning interactive and enjoyable.
For instance, Fun Mirror exhibit uses distorted mirrors to create amusing visual effects while teaching about optics and reflection. These interactive displays are particularly effective in engaging young learners, encouraging them to ask questions and explore science in a practical way.
WORLD OF CHEMISTRY
World of Chemistry gallery explores chemical reactions, molecular structures and everyday applications with interactive displays illustrating acid-base reactions, electrolysis and color changes. That apart, here hands-on experiments enable inquisitive students understand chemistry principles in varied mundane activities, igniting scientific curiosity of fundamental chemical phenomena.
BIO MACHINES
‘Bio-machines’ is a unique gallery, which points out the similarities that exist in nature created machine-like functioning animal body organs with different man-made equipment. This concept is an analogy based on how different animals and plants function like machines, where bio-machines are more superior compared to human mechanical creations. Each exhibit explains the details of structural, functional and complex control mechanisms of animal body and also compares it with man-made machines through visual, multimedia and interactive exhibits. These natural or bio-machines attained the supremacy over millions of years, which is why they are called supreme machines.
COAL MINE
Mock-Up Coal Mine offers a realistic simulation of underground mining, which educates visitors on coal extraction techniques, mining equipment, geology, the working environment of miners and their safety. The unique journey provides an in-depth look at the science of mining and its industrial applications.
This immersive experience complete with dim lighting, mining sounds, and life-size models, fosters awareness about the coal industry’s challenges and opportunities, making it both an interesting and engaging attraction for students and explorers.
AQUARIUM
The large aquarium at RSC is a crowd-pleaser, housing a variety of aquatic species that captivate people, especially children. The water container serves as an educational tool, highlighting marine biology and the importance of aquatic ecosystems.
AGRICULTURE GALLERY
Agriculture gallery, usually not found in other science museums, depicts the farm-to-table process, promoting awareness on food production and environmental stewardship. This section showcases farming techniques, soil science and crop production innovations such as sustainable agriculture practices and irrigation methods. That apart, visitors also learn about agro forestry, organic farming, pest control and seed varieties through models and interactive kiosks.
MIRROR MAGIC
Mirror Magic exhibit is a fun and educational attraction that uses mirrors to create optical illusions, teaching inquisitive minds about light, reflection and perception. This exhibit is particularly entertaining for children, who enjoy navigating the mirror maze and discover how visual tricks work.
CHILDREN’S CORNER
Children’s Corner is another dedicated space designed for young curious thinkers, offering age-appropriate activities and phenomena that foster curiosity and creativity.
DIGITAL PLANETARIUM
Digital Planetarium offers astronomy enthusiasts a mesmerizing experience of artificial sky-gazing. The planetarium uses advanced technology to project a star-studded sky, introducing sky gazers to celestial bodies, comets and space dynamics. Shows are designed to be both educational and visually spectacular, providing insights into the universe’s vastness and the science of astronomy.
STEREOSCOPIC 3D CINEMA
3D science movies cover a range of topics, from natural phenomena to technological innovations, providing an exhilarating way to learn complex scientific concepts. These screens captivate the senses of audience, making this a popular attraction for all. RSC boasts of being the first science center in Northeast India to offer a stereoscopic digital 3D cinema projection facility. This attraction combines polarizer technology with 3D glasses to create an adrenaline-pumping experience, where images appear to come alive.
INNOVATION HUB
The essence of science education is innovation and value creation, and Innovation Hub is the most crucial facility towards the fulfillment of the centre’s objectives to foster a culture of critical thinking and discovery.
Innovation Hub, inaugurated in 2014, encourages creativity and problem-solving among young learners. It includes an Idea Laboratory, where students can design and prototype their own inventions, and an Innovation Resource Centre with a library of over 10,000 books and journals, as well as computer and internet access for research. The Innovation Kiosks showcase groundbreaking inventions and traditional knowledge systems, inspiring curious minds to think innovatively. In addition, this association offers annual memberships for students, providing a platform for long-term engagement in science and technology research projects.
SCIENCE SHOWS & WORKSHOPS
RSC organizes regular science shows, workshops and lectures that enhance the learning experience. Shows like the Magic and Miracle Show debunk superstitions by demonstrating the scientific principles behind seemingly magical phenomena. Science on a Sphere presentation uses a spherical display to visualize scientific data, such as climate patterns and planetary movements. Workshops and hobby camps, particularly during summer vacations, provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, while the annual Teachers’ Training Programme equips educators with innovative teaching methods.
