Research students and faculty of IISc to demonstrate the principles of science to all the invitees

Updated on: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Come Saturday, the 104-year-old Indian Institute of Science will open its doors to all for an event that will see research students and faculty of the institution demonstrate the principles of science.

The annual event will be held a day before the Founder's Day celebrations at the institution. Last year, over 2,000 people attended the event.

Physics department, a popular destination for students during the Open Day, will demonstrate popular experiments like Faraday's law of Induction. This year, there will be three new demonstrations on the solar energy front -- solar water purifier, solar power steering engine which converts heat into electricity and solar icemaker.

There will also be a competition for high school students, divided into two categories -- class 8 and class 9-12 -- which will require students to write about their favourite experiment on show. The winners will get special prizes from the department.

"Our aim is to create an awareness about science and excite young minds to take up research," said prof Vasant Natarajan, department of physics.

Short documentaries and films on science will also be showcased. "These experiments which will provide a strong visual appeal will help convey the fundamental principles of science easily to students," said KP Nagarjun, a project assistant, who is involved with the setting up of the experiments.

Subramanyam M, who's currently doing his MSc project, will showcase an experiment on how bird feathers help in diffraction grading. "The experiment will also enable students to better understand the structure of bird feathers and the various species of birds," he said.

The high voltage laboratory will allow students to get up close to artificial lightning and experience the raw power and brilliance of nature. The department will conduct light and sound of simulated lightning experiments.

Research students and faculty of IISc to demonstrate the principles of science to all the invitees

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