Gujarat Science City

Gujarat Science City
Gujarat Science City
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LocationAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
Coordinates23°4′48″N 72°29′46″E / 23.08000°N 72.49611°E / 23.08000; 72.49611
StatusOperating
OpenedMay 2001 (2001-05)
OwnerGujarat Council of Science City
ThemeScience education and entertainment
Operating seasonYear-round
Area107[1] ha (260 acres)
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Gujarat Science City is a science education and entertainment centre located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Opened in 2002 and expanded in 2021, it has an IMAX 3D theatre; exhibitions on science, space, energy park, life science park, planet earth, hall of science, musical fountain, thrill ride, plants, nature and robotics; an aquarium, an aviary and a butterfly park; as well as other facilities.

History

In 1999, the Gujarat Council of Science City, an autonomous registered society was established under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat.[2][3]

Under Phase-I of the development, the IMAX 3D theatre, the first in India, was opened in 2002. It was followed by constructions of various exhibitions such as Hall of Science, Hall of Space, Energy Education Park, Life Science Park, Planet Earth as well as facilities such as children's activity centre, thrill rides, amphitheatre and musical fountain.[2]

In 2021, under Phase-II development, an aquatic gallery, a robotics gallery and a nature park were constructed at cost of ₹264 crore (US$32 million), ₹127 crore (US$15 million) and ₹14 crore (US$1.7 million) respectively. They were inaugurated on 16 July 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[4][5]

Features

Entertainment facilities

Entertainment facilities at the Science City include IMAX 3D theatre,[6] 30-seat thrill ride,[7][6] giant LED screen for displaying films,[8] dancing musical fountains[6] and 1200-seat capacity amphitheatre.[9][6]

Planet Earth

Dome of the Planet Earth pavilion

The Planet Earth pavilion is spread over an area of 9,000 square metres (97,000 sq ft). It has an earth-shaped dome with diameter of 50 metres (160 ft), one of the largest in the country, built in 2009. It has exhibits and rides about natural disasters, disaster management, planetarium, natural resources and its conservation. It has more than 650 exhibits.[10][11][6]

Hall of Space and Science

Science experiment in Hall of Electricity in Hall of Science

The hall of space has an exhibition on solar system, universe, space technology and history of space exploration.[12] The hall of science has exhibits on light, sound, mathematics, kinematics, vision, mirrors, energy and fluids.[13]

Energy Education Park

The park holds exhibits on solar energy, wind power, hydroelectricity, tidal power, geothermal energy, petroleum and petrochemicals. It has models of Sardar Sarovar dam and petroleum rigs.[14][6]

Life Science Park

Dinosaur model at Life Science Park

The park spread over an area of 9000 sqm is dedicated to life sciences. It has exhibits on river system and evolution. It also has outdoor exhibition on aromatic, medicinal and economic plants as well as ornamental plants. There is a Cactus, Succulent and Bonsai Corner; Butterfly House; aviary and tissue culture lab.[15][6]

Aquatic gallery

The aquatic gallery is spread over an area of 15,000 square metres (160,000 sq ft). It has 68 tanks which hold brackish, marine and fresh waters in variety of ecosystems marked as Indian, Asian, African and American Zones. It has 11,690 animals from 188 species. The shark tunnel in the gallery is 28 metres (92 ft) long.[4]

The three floor robotics gallery has 79 types of robots on display. The ground floor has an interactive exhibition and a cafeteria. It also has an exhibit displaying evolution of robotics. There is a robot dance gallery, and virtual and augmented reality gallery as well.[4]

Nature Park

The nature park is spread over an area of 8 acres (3.2 ha) and educates about botany and biology.[4]

Amphitheater

Amphitheater (Open Air Theater) at Gujarat Science City with a capacity of 1200 seats hosts Science related especially Science Popularization activities.[4]

Activities

Apart from science education and entertainment, the center also provides housing for students preparing for science exams.[16]

  • Electrodom Room
    Electrodom Room

See also

References

  1. ^ "Science City".
  2. ^ a b "Explained: What are the aquatic, robotics galleries at Ahmedabad's Science City?". The Indian Express. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Know Your City: With its sharks and penguins, Aquatic Gallery at Ahmedabad's Science City is a crowd-puller". The Indian Express. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Robotics and aquatic galleries, nature park: Here are the new additions to Gujarat Science City — see pics". The Financial Express. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Into the deep: Sharks, penguins at Ahmedabad's soon-to-be-launched aquatic gallery". The Indian Express. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Paliwal, Priyansha (22 July 2019). "Science City- Everything you need to know ranging from timings to ticket prices". Ashaval.com. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Thrill Ride". Gujarat Science City.
  8. ^ "LED screen". Gujarat Science City.
  9. ^ "Amphitheatre". Gujarat Science City.
  10. ^ "Planet Earth". Gujarat Science City.
  11. ^ Shastri, Parth (22 June 2012). "Will Earth Pavilion see light of the day soon?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Hall of Space". Gujarat Science City.
  13. ^ "Hall of Science". Gujarat Science City.
  14. ^ "Energy Education Park". Gujarat Science City.
  15. ^ "Life Science Park". Gujarat Science City.
  16. ^ Yagnik, Bharat (6 November 2010). "Share on emailShare on printShare on reddit More Sharing Services Science city to build hostels for students". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
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