STUDY TOUR REPORT

Submitted by

<name>

<reg.no>

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Physics

Department of PhysicsS.T.Hindu College

Nagercoil.April-2019.

Certificate

The report submitted by < name> (regno) is the original writing of the candidate after the Study Tour to

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) Bengaluru on 18th February 2019.

Head of the Department

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I take this opportunity to thank our Principal, Dr.T.Chithambarathanu, S.T. Hindu College,

Nagercoil for allowing us to go for a study tour for the partial fulfilment of the requirements for

the award of Master degree in Physics. I want to pass my gratitude to our Head of the

Department Dr.K.Elampari for his guidance, support and getting prior permission for the

study tour. My special thanks to the accompanying staff members Dr.M.Meena, Dr.R.Ramesh

and Dr.M.Eugine Prince for not only for providing guidance, support, and expressing concern to

us but also for a very good company. During this study tour, I personally learnt a lot about

science and also enjoy the places we visited. I extend my appreciation to my fellow students for

their cooperation disciple and adhering to the instructions. All this made the study tour trip the

most successful one.

STUDY TOUR

A Visit to Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) Bengaluru

Study Tour

As part of the M.Sc., Physics curriculum Study Tour is one of the option in the final

semester. We have chosen Study Tour and we decided to visit Visvesvaraya Industrial &

Technological Museum (VITM), Bengaluru. Our faculty members Dr.M.Meena, Dr.R.Ramesh and

Dr.M.Eugine Prince have their consent to accompanying us. The team consists of 25 students

and 3 faculty members.

18-02-2019 , 4:30 PM : We all gathered at our college around 4:30 PM on 18-02-2019 and our

Principal, HoD and accompanying staff members gave as directions and guidance for the

successful and joyful study tour program.

18-02-2019, 5:30 PM - Study tour start

Explain your travel experience with fellow students .

Next Day Morning arrival time?

Stay? Just describe your experience at the hotel.

Visiting Place: Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) Bengaluru

About the VITM

The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, (VITM), Bangalore, India, a

constituent unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of

Culture, Government of India, was established in memory of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya.

The building, with a built up area of 4,000 m2 (43,000 sq ft), was constructed in Cubbon Park. It

houses various scientific experiments and engines, and was inaugurated by the first Prime

Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on 14 July 1962. The first gallery set up at VITM, on

the theme of 'Electricity', was opened to the public on 27 July 1965.

In the year 1970, VITM launched the Mobile Science Exhibition (MSE) with 24

participatory exhibits mounted on a bus. The MSE Bus travels throughout South India, and it

continues to be a very effective tool for Science communication in the rural area as the bus

carries with it a portable planetarium, telescope for night sky observations, HD large screen TV

for science film shows in the evenings, materials for conducting popular science shows and

demonstrations aimed towards the general populace.

In 1978, the science museums/centres including VITM were delinked from CSIR and

brought under a newly formed society registered on 4 April 1978 as National Council of Science

Museums (NCSM). In 1979, an extension was added to the building, increasing the total area of

the museum to 6,900 m2 (74,000 sq ft).

NCSM set up three additional science centers at Gulbarga (Karnataka) in

1984, Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) in 1987 and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) in 1993, which are

functioning under the direct administrative control of VITM. Thus, VITM has become the

southern zone headquarters of NCSM. The museum attracts nearly one million visitors a year

open on all days (except Deepavali and Ganesha Chathurthi) from 09.30 to 18:00.

Entrance

Special features

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) Bengaluru, is the first science

museum in the southern region which was opened on 27.07.1965. Since then this museum has

been a hub of science activities in the city. The museum has large number of exhibits and it

organizes activities for all ages, which includes general public, students, teachers and

professionals etc. The museum has 8 interactive galleries and other facilities like Science on a

Sphere, Wright Brother’s Simulator, the Dinosaurs Corner, a full-fledged Auditorium,

Taramandal (inflatable planetarium), 3D film shows and Public Science shows apart from special

demonstrations in the exhibition galleries.

The museum also operates a Mobile Science Exhibition Bus, which extensively tours the

rural areas for taking science to those who cannot reach the museum. The museum does not

have anything like “do not touch”. The exhibits and activities are hands on and minds on and in

several cases provide immersive experience. VITM is a strong tourist destination and has got

something for all.

The museum has an Innovation Hub where students and people of all ages can come

and work on their creative ideas for converting them into possible innovative products. The

museum is recognized as an apt place for students to enjoy learning science in an out of

school/college ambience.

Experience in VITM

This was one of the unique museums that I have seen. It is the special attraction in

Bangalore. It is none other than Visveswaraya industrial and technological museum. Great zone

of learning for children and students. This report briefly explains the shows held in the

museum, what we learnt from the museum and how it differs from other museums.

We went there around 11.30 A.M, we have taken entry ticket and went in the museum.

At entrance, after a security check, there is a statue of Sir Mokshagundam Visveswaraya. There

are several floors and the first floor of the museum contains engine section

Engine section

In many museums, they don't allow visitors to take the photographs and to touch the

items in the museum. But here surprisingly, they have allowed to even play with the items in

the museum. This plays an important and easiest way for children to learn science quickly. In

this section mainly they have displayed evolution of science especially levers, tools, gears,

evolution of clocks, sewing machines, typewriters, telephones and printing machines. There are

some display and working models. The hall has interactive exhibits to explore the principles of

Simple machines, mechanisms, drives, prime sources of power, engines and their working,

transfer of energy and the 1:1 replica of Wright Brothers flyer supported with the first ever

Wright Brothers’ flyer simulator. The gallery has several artifacts which adds to the educational

and historical value of the display Students can easily understood the basic science easily.

Engine Hall Early aircraft engine

Then we proceeded to Various Galleries and facilities available in the VITM and are explained

one by one.

Galleries and Facilities (Education and Entertainment):

How Things Work gallery

Machines help us to reduce effort, enhance

the delivery time, and produce repeatedly

the same product with no variation and

many more advantages. We use them

without realizing its presence around us.

The exhibits in the gallery explain

fundamentals and working of some of the

basic machines through interactive

exhibits. Exhibits on Pulley system, Gears, different ways of transferring motion, reducing effort

by levers, inclined plane, screw etc. introduces the visitors to the story of simple machines.

Another section deals with the application of these simple machines in our daily life. There are

answers to: How a Ball point pen works, the zipper that we use in almost all our clothes and

covers etc.? We understand these through interactive exhibit.

Electrotechnic gallery

This gallery brings ahead the principles

of electricity & magnetism, Generation

of electricity, Static electricity, Evolution

of computers and several other

concepts in this field in an interactive

way. The Spark Theater with live

demonstrations using Van de graph

generator, which we have studied at our

B.Sc, and several other static electricity

devices is a spectacular interactive show

for visitors of all age groups.

Electricity model

Fun Science gallery

This gallery is focused towards

bringing some of the basic principles

of science and technology in an

interactive way. The science

experienced in daily life is brought out

with a fun element. This gallery is also

acts as a resource to supplement

science education in the school.

Natural and manmade phenomenons

are appreciated by interacting with

exhibits through fun and entertainment.

Space-Emerging Technology in the service of mankind gallery

It has always been an amazing when one

hears about the experiences of

astronauts and space scientists. In this

departments, they have shown the rare

pics of astronauts, like first astronaut to

go into space, then they have shown how

rockets are launched, about astronauts,

space programs, satellites, space shuttle

and important events of space occured in

the world. . In that they had shown the details of Chadrayaan and Indian astronauts Kalpana

Chawla, Rakesh sharma and Sunitha Williams. This gallery has exhibits related to the science of

Flight Mechanics, Rocket launching etc. A working exhibit explains how satellites are launched.

Several type of rockets and satellites, space applications, milestones in space technology &

space theatre form the part of the gallery. Mangalyaan, Chandrayaan etc. are added to keep

the efforts of India in Space updated.

Biotechnological Revolution gallery

The gallery brings out the complex

science of genetics and biotechnology is

an interactive mode. It starts by

explaining the science of Cells, Mendel’s

experiment, Genetics, Human Genome

project etc. The genetic wheel and the

application of Biotechnology in different

fields that are directly benefiting the

mankind are also explained here. Tissue culture, Gene splicing, Restriction enzymes, and

Electrophoresis and many more biotechnological concepts are explained with Interactive

exhibits and exciting gallery demonstrations

BEL Hall of Electronics gallery

As I we are students of Physics , weI have a much interest in this department, In this section

they had explained about the electronic circuits. They had also clearly explained how micro

chips are prepared and how programs are inserted into it. They also show the video of that

preparation of micro chips. They have also explained the evolution of generation of computers

which include generation of transistors etc. They have also explained how bar codes are

encoded and decoded. In this section they

have shown the first inventions of scientists

like cathode ray tubes, etc

Simply, this section explore the basics of

Electronics, Chip Manufacturing process,

Application of Semiconductor devises, Bar codes, Electronics in communication, application of

electronics in different fields, electronics theatre etc. A Tele Medicine corner allows the visitors

to directly talk to the doctors of some top hospitals, live through the satellite and get the

medical advice. Exhibits on virtual reality, robots, GPS etc. add effect to the gallery.

Science for Children

It is an exclusive gallery for young children to

play and develop their cognitive, problem

solving, exploring skills through numerous

educational toys, jigsaw puzzles, optical and

audio aids etc..

Science On A Sphere

A large spherical visualization system

that uses multimedia projections to

display animated data onto the exterior

of a sphere converting it into an

immersive animated globe that shows

dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans, and land area of a planet. It is an

innovative and powerful teaching tool to enhance informal education on earth, climate change

etc. and transform the public perception to effectively implement conservation measures of the

earth. It is the first of its kind in the country.

Wright Brothers Simulator

VITM provides an immersive and entertaining experience through a unique exhibit The

Wright brothers’ flyer simulator. The flight simulator allows visitors to virtually fly and

experience how Wright brothers flew their aero plane. The simulator has true environment of

Kitty Hawk with sand dunes in North Carolina where the Wright brothers flew their first flight. It

makes the true sound of Wright brother’s flyer which had two propellers driven by petrol

engines. This is the first such facility in Asia.

Simulator Wright Brothers' Aeroplane

Dinosaur Corner and Dino app

In the ground floor there was a "Live

Dinosaur" room, and big dinosaur

like structure which was moved by

some internal machine, and dinosaur

sound is made when it stretches its

mouth. In that room there are

posters, boards which shows the evolution of Dinosaurs and their sub species. They also say the

reason for their extinction. The main reason for the extinction of Dinosaurs is a sudden climatic

changes happened on earth. After taking some photos with Dinosaur, we came out of that

room and entered inside. We enjoyed the movement and sound of a true size animated

Spinosauraus in a recreated environment of Triassic period. A Dino App can be downloaded in

the smart phone and when the phone is pointed towards the dinosaur, another Dinosaur

comes alive on the phone screen that moves and growls.

Idea Lab and Innovation Hub

Innovation Hub and Idea Lab’ facility has been set up with an intention to provide an

open platform to the young people to engage in innovative and creative activities and

experiment with their innovative ideas.

The objectives of this set up is to engage

the youth in creative hobbies and activities in science and technology, to promote their critical

thinking and practical problem solving skills, to support innovative ideas and build them to

come to fruition and to recognize, encourage and facilitate local innovations in S&T etc. The

facility is open to people of all ages. There is a token annual membership fee which allows

access to the facility on all days through the week especially on weekends. The museum

provides material and mentor support for viable innovative projects. The Innovation hub

houses Innovation Resource Centre, Innovative multidisciplinary laboratories including biotech,

robotics and nanotechnology. Robotics & Microprocessor Programming Facility, Intel Galileo

chip corner, Break & Remake area, Build from Scraps area, Real life problem identification &

solution finding section, carrying out investigative projects.

Educational and outreach activities:

Three shows were conducted by the museum to gain more knowledge by students. They are

1.Taramandal show

2.Science show

3.3D fun show

Taramandal

Tara mandal means group of stars. For this after taking the ticket we went into a air

filled plastic balloon like structure. There

is one instructor and a projector. There

they have told that shapes formed by

the stars are called Constillations, they

have also said that there are 88

constillations. There they had projected

those shapes on the plastic wall and

explained about prominent stars in

them. After that they had created a sky full of stars at night with projector and in them, they

had shown the constillations, prominent stars etc. It is an inflatable dome planetarium having

seating capacity of 30 allows the visitors to experience and explore the night sky – stars,

constellations, zodiacal constellations, diurnal motion of planets etc. This show is interactive

unlike a regular planetarium show. The narrator is available to the visitors to answer questions

and visitors are required to do some hands on activity as well making astronomy interesting.

This show is worth of my ticket. This show is only two times a day at 12.00 p.m and 3.00 p.m

Science shows

After Tara mandal show, we went to

Science show which is held at 3.30 p.m, In

this show they will do some magic tricks

and explains the scientific reasons behind

them. It is as if like a magic show. We

witness, perform and be a part of exciting

science shows on ‘Science is Fun’,

‘Unexpected Science’, ‘Liquid Air’. ‘The

Wild spirit’, ‘Marvels of Sound’ etc.

Science Demonstration lecture (SDL)

Open to the school groups this program

discusses the curriculum based topics

like ‘Vibrations’, ‘Basics of Electricity &

Magnetism’, ‘Acids-Bases and Salts’,

‘Color chemistry’, & ‘Basics Electronics’

etc.. Each concept is supported with

demonstration making understanding

easy.

3D Fun show

Everyone said this is the main attraction in the museum. We bought tickets and went inside the

theatre which have 50 members capacity. They had provided 3D glasses to everyone. In that

show they had given message not to cut the forests and they had shown the effects of global

warming in 3D effect.

Science Film shows

Science based film shows are organized in

the museum auditorium at regular intervals

and also on request by the school groups.

Mobile Science Exhibition Bus

The museum operates a Mobile Science

Exhibition which takes the message of

science to those who cannot reach the

museum. The Mobile unit carries

exhibitions on a specific science theme

and visits the rural schools.. The

exhibition is supported with Science

Demonstration Lectures for the students,

evening sky observation program through a telescope, science film shows and depending upon

the availability of space and time, workshop for teachers and students in developing science

teaching kits using low cost locally available materials.

Vacation Creative Ability Centre programmes

For utilizing the vacation period

constructively the museum organizes

vacation hobby centre programs in

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics,

Biosciences, Electronics, and Astronomy

etc. for the school students. The children

are exposed to handling tools and design,

develop and fabricate science models and

experiments which they carry back after the program .

Timing and Entry Fee Structure

The Museum is open on all days through the week (between 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM)

except on Deepavali and Ganesh Chaturthi.

Entry fee Rs.40/- per head for General Public, Rs.20/- per head for organized school

group students & Rs. 10/- per head for organized Govt. /Municipal school groups

students (Concessional rate for students in group with authorization letter from the

institution).

Taramandal shows – Rs. 10/- per head for General Public, Rs.10/- per head for organized

school group students from & Rs. 5/- per head for organized Govt./Municipal school

group students (Maximum 30 students per show). Taramandal show is held twice a day

at 12 P.M and 3 P.M

Science Shows – Rs.10/- per head for General Public, Rs.10/- per head for organized

school group students & Rs. 5/- per head for organized Govt./Municipal school group

students (Maximum 30 students per show).

3-D Shows –Rs.25/- per head for General Public, Rs.20/- per head for organized school

group students & Rs. 10/- per head for organized Govt./Municipal school group. 3D fun

show is held 6 times a day

Science on a Sphere Shows –Rs.25/- per head for General Public, Rs.20/- per head for

organized school group students & Rs. 10/- per head for organized Govt./Municipal

school group. Science show is also held 2 times at 12.30 P.M and 3.30 P.M

Wright brothers flyer Simulator : Rs50/- per head

Conclusion

For the students it is a must place to visit to gain knowledge on almost every field of

science. I myself had a great time here and gained some knowledge. We enjoyed the museum

very much.