To promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education

KIRANMAI TUTIKA I AMARAVATI

A major leap in science education and public engagement is set to unfold in the historic city of Rajamahendravaram, as a brand-new Science Centre, complete with a planetarium and innovation hub, nears inauguration in Bommuru. Spread over five acres and built at a cost of Rs.15 crore, the centre is expected to serve as a landmark educational destination for students and science enthusiasts across North Andhra and the Godavari districts.

The initiative, led by the Andhra Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), reflects the government’s growing emphasis on promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education through hands-on learning. The centre is scheduled to be inaugurated in July and is designed to inspire young minds by bridging textbook knowledge with real-world scientific concepts.

The Science Centre houses three core components — a digital planetarium for immersive astronomy shows, an open-air science park featuring interactive exhibits, and a cutting-edge innovation hub designed to nurture creativity and experimentation among students.

According to officials from APCOST, the centre aims to provide an experiential learning environment that goes beyond conventional classroom instruction. “This is more than just a museum or park. It is a platform where children can touch, explore, and experiment with science,” said V. Krishnamohan, a senior APCOST official involved in the project.

The planetarium will offer 3D shows on space science, the solar system, and cosmology, while the science park will feature working models that demonstrate principles of physics, mechanics, and energy. The innovation hub will serve as a collaborative space for school and college students to develop science projects, attend workshops, and participate in hackathons and competitions.

 Rajamahendravaram, known for its rich cultural heritage and growing urban profile, is now poised to become an educational hub for scientific exploration. Students from districts such as East Godavari, West Godavari will have easier access to modern scientific facilities, thanks to the strategic location of the centre in Bommuru, just outside the city limits.

 “Children in rural and semi-urban areas rarely get to experience science in such an engaging way. This centre can be a game-changer,” said Dr. K. Madhavi, a science teacher at Rajamahendravaram govt. Municipal High school.

 The Science Centre in Rajamahendravaram is part of a broader vision by the Andhra Pradesh government to establish regionally distributed science infrastructure. Similar centres have been proposed or are under development in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. The goal is to decentralize access to scientific resources and promote a culture of innovation among schoolchildren, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns.

 The establishment of such facilities is also in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary education. As the final touches are being added to the exhibits and theatre systems, excitement is building among students and teachers alike.