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Islamabad: International Travelling expo on Chemistry is opened on 24 Feb at Children Library Complex, Lahore for eight days. Mr. Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology was the Chief Guest at this occasion. Major objective is to attract the young generation towards science education by delivering complex scientific phenomena through simple hands on activities.
The theme of the Expo is Chemistry and its role in our daily life because Chemistry is considered very difficult and dry subject resulting less interest of the students. The Expo is jointly organized by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Embassy of France, and Education Department Lahore (Children Library Complex).
The Federal secretary emphasized on need of popularization of science among the masses. He interacted with the students and advised them to learn science by doing of science. He highlighted the importance of mother tongue in understanding various scientific phenomenon. Prof Dr Manzoor H Soomro, Chairman, PSF, briefed the audience about various activities of PSF for promotion and popularization of science in the country.
He informed that PSF, under the National STI Policy is mandated for popularization of science at grassroot level, for which a number of activities including travelling expos are being organized. He added that Inquiry Based Science Education Approach “La main la pate-LAMAP” is initiated by PSF in 25 Pakistani schools with the help of Academei des sciences, France.
Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Naul, Additional Secretary, Education Reforms, Punjab Muhammad informed that Govt of the Punjab is taking major steps for education sector reforms.
He ensured maximum support to PSF in organizing science popularization activities in the schools of Punjab province.
Dr. Frederic Bessat, Counsellor for Development and Cooperation, Embassy of France showed his pleasure to the organizers on successful arrangements of the International Travelling Expo “It’s all about Chemistry” [provided by Centre Sciences-France with the support of Embassy of France in Pakistan].
He advised the students of primary and elementary level to understand science by doing and observing the hands on experiences presented through the Chemistry Expo. Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmad, LUMS gave a brief and interesting talk on the role of chemistry I our daily life. At the end Ms. Farhat Rajpar, Chief Scientific Officer/Incharge science popularization section of PSF thanked the students, teachers and dignitaries for their participation.
The expo “It’s all about Chemistry” is prepared by Centre Sciences- France and partners and is visiting Pakistan from January to March, 2012. It started its travel from Karachi to Hyderabad, Khairpur, DG Khan, Multan and Lahore is its 6th destination, where it is arranged at Children Library Complex w.e.f. 24 Feb, to 2 March. Further it will go to Mansehra, Islamabad, Sibi/Jaffarabad and will be concluded at Quetta on 31 March, 2012. So far 26,000 students and teachers have participated in the Expo.
The organizing body i.e. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), working under Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is continuously striving for promotion and popularization of science in the country through its research funding and science awareness programs.
For science popularization, holding S and T Fairs and Expos is an important activity, which includes four (4) National S and T Fairs, four mega Expos namely; “Shaping the Future-2007”; “Experiencing Mathematics-2008”; “The Earth’s Future in Our Hands-2009” “Biodiversity is Life; It’s Our life-2011” and a large number of mobile exhibitions. For details contact Expo Coordinator Mr. Abdul Rauf at 0333 5527581.
For more information, contact:
Pakistan Science Foundation
1-Constitution Avenue,
Sector G-5/2, Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: + 92 51 9202469-70
Fax: + 92 51 9202468