Gujarat Council of Science CityVillage HebatpurSola-Santej RoadNr. Science City Cross RoadOff Sarkhej Gandhinagar HighwayAhmedabad – 380 060The science city in Ahmedabad is one of its kind and one of the most favourite spot of tourists. If you are planning to visit Ahmedabad then do not miss to visit this educational as well as entertainment centre which is Gujarat Government initiative in order to promote awareness, interest and understanding towards Science among the population especially young generation. The centre plays vital role in improving the way we look at Science which is field that helps in understanding every bit around us. The centre has several sections to engage all the age groups in Science field. The IMAX 3-D theatre is the main attraction in the centre. Apart from it there is a Hall of Science, Thrill Rider, Simulator, Musical Dancing Fountain, Energy Education, Park, LED Screen, Life Science Park, etc. you can have a blast of knowledge here and no doubt you will enjoy here a lot as it is not at all boring.The IMAX theatre is used to show movies and it is amazing to watch 3D movies on a screen which is eight stories high. There are specified timings for movie shows. In the Hall of Science you get to see various exhibits and Science models and the best part is you are allowed to touch and operate them. What else would you ask for? There are many mechanical devices that can be tried by visitors in order to understand the functionality of the device practically. The thrill rider has a seating capacity of 30 people at a time. As the name suggests it is kind of roller coaster ride but much better than the roller coaster as you go on to a space journey in this simulation in an aerobatic aircraft and that is more than enough to thrill your senses. These rides through various films keep you engaged throughout the time along with fulfilment of the purposes of entertainment and education.The musical fountain at the centre is quite a crowd puller. It is said to be the largest musical fountain in Asia. The specifications of this magnificent fountain are as follows:
- Area covered is 9000 sq m
- Hexagonal grid pattern
- Rectangular shaped pool
- 113 jets
- 935 underwater colour lights
- Several submersible hydraulic pumps
- 2073 sets of hydraulic nozzles with 273 effects
- Display of water styles including floating fountain, seagull, peacock, wavy, swinging flower baskets, etc.
All these functions of musical fountain are controlled by Computer Software specifically designed to run the specified program. A twenty minute show of musical fountain does require a lot of technology and science to operate smoothly and that is the aim to install this fountain in the Science centre. In short let me tell you how many principles of Science are applied here so that you just not enjoy it but also learn the fundamentals of Science behind the program. Here you can learn from this musical fountain:
- The principle of Acoustic
- Water treatment process
- Bernoulli’s principle
- Light water synchronization
- Water dynamics
- Rainbow
- Water flow control system, etc.
There are three shows of twenty minutes every day and the timings are 7.30 pm, 8.00 pm and 8.30 pm respectively. You need to pay certain fees to watch the show.The fountain area is surrounded by open gardens with trees, flower beds, green lawns, beautiful landscaping and some statues. There is a State Level Energy Education Park (SEEP) where five basic elements from Ancient Indian Philosophy are exhibited. It includes Tej (energy from the sun), Marut (wind energy), Ap (water energy), Kshiti (energy from Earth), Byom (space). The exhibit has the following:
- Wind pump
- Wind turbine
- Oil and gas drilling rig
- Geo power energy
- Tidal power generator
- Ocean thermal energy converter
- Wave power generation
- Solar house, etc.
There is LED screen which can be seen in outdoor display at the centre to understand the functioning of LED. The Life Science Park spread on 9000 sq m area focuses on nature and exhibits river system, tissue culture laboratory, nursery, aromatic plants, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, butterfly park, cactus plants, bonsai, etc.Timings of Science Centre2.00 pm to 9.00 pm every dayNot allowedPets, smoking, alcohol & tobacco consumption, improper behaviour and disrespectful clothing are not allowed in the premises.Ruchi Mahajan