Celebration of National Science Day (NSD 2025) with IISER Pune

In 1928, Indian scientist Sir C. V. Raman made a groundbreaking discovery known as the Raman Effect. For this extraordinary achievement, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930, marking the first time an Indian scientist received this prestigious honor. To honor this remarkable discovery, India observes February 28 as National Science Day each year.

At IISER Pune, we are celebrating National Science Day with a variety of engaging public events throughout the day. This eclectic celebration is open to all. The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), and we are featuring a special talk on quantum technology by Prof. Umakant Rapol. The event also includes interactive sessions with IISER scientists, a talk by Padma Shri awardee Arvind Gupta, live demonstrations of student and teacher projects and models, daytime astronomy observations, an interactive puzzle zone, a science quiz, and much more to explore on our campus!

The event will feature engaging talks on a wide range of topics such as molecular motors, astrobiology and the origin of life, the fascinating properties of water, artificial intelligence, and the ongoing evolution of humans. Additionally, we have planned interactive science shows covering themes such as “It’s Not ‘Magic’… It’s Science!”, “The Joy of Learning Science Through Experiments”, “The Science Behind Miracles”, and “Innovative and Fascinating Experiments in Science”.

The event will also showcase demonstrations of science models created by students, teachers, and IISER Pune staff. Attendees can explore presentations of activities designed by the Smt. Indrani Balan Science Activity Centre and participate in an exciting science quiz on The Mysteries of the Universe, with attractive prizes to be won.

The detailed schedule for events on IISER Pune campus is provided below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GgAzBLAfHvL_BXpZ_bBWKVNoNnNKIwX2/view?usp=sharing

In addition to the events planned at IISER Pune campus on February 28, 2025, in collaboration with Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park, IISER Pune is celebrating National Science Day from February 27 to March 2, 2025, at the Kalpakghar community science centre located at the Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park. Kalpakghar is a collaborative STEM-tinkering project between IISER Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park and is funded by Tata Technologies Ltd. under its Corporate Social Responsibilities initiative.

Event Highlights at Kalpakghar

February 27, 2025

Various STEM competitions, including a hackathon for teachers, educators, and students

• STEM storytelling sessions
• Comic strip presentations
• School visits featuring hands-on activities and string art workshops

February 28, 2025

• STEM Model & Hackathon Exhibition by PCMC school students and teachers
• Display of STEM comic strips
• STEM tinkering hands-on demonstration
• Interactive zones: String art, 3D art, pen plotter art, and puzzle zone
• Talks by scientists on popular science and technology
• STEM movie screening

March 1, 2025

• STEM tinkering hands-on demonstration
• Toy drone show and workshop
• STEM talk
• Interactive zones: String art, 3D art, pen plotter art, and puzzle zone
• Eloquence Competition on the History of Science
•  

March 2, 2025

• STEM tinkering hands-on demonstration
• STEM movie screening
• Toy drone show and workshop

The detailed schedule for events at Kalpakghar, Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park, is provided below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q44hYw8ehb4qT55aLWCW8q_62hFnFVvu/view?usp=sharing