The 27th ‘Western India Science Fair’ (WISF) was organised at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai during December 17 - 20, 2014 with active support from Education Departments of Govt. of Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Departments of Science & Technology of Daman & Diu, and Rajasthan. Students and teachers who are the winners of State/UT level science fair participated in this zonal level competition and displayed their talent in the form of innovative Science Projects and Teaching Aids. In this fair, 34 student projects and 15 teaching aids were kept on display for the visitors. Besides display of student projects and teaching aids, there were stalls of science toys, books & educational resource materials. WISF was inaugurated by Dr. A. V. Sapre, Member Secretary, Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission, Govt. of Maharashtra on 17th December 2014 at 11.00 AM. Over 100 participants from all over Western India comprising 5 states and UT participated this time.
Science Fair remained open to public during 17th - 20th December, 2014. Schools availed this opportunity and took the benefit by sending large number of students and teachers to visit the fair. A visit to the Science Fair surely motivates, enthuses and enhances the spirit of scientific inquiry among students.
The fair participants were exposed to various activities of Nehru Science Centre during their four days’ stay in the campus. The programmes for the participants included – sky observation, visit to Nehru Science Centre’s galleries, Science Odyssey show, 3-dimensional show, special show on Matter at Low Temperature and Popular Science Lecture. The student projects and teaching aids were judged separately by two panel of judges on 19th December, 2014 to select the state wise best and overall best project of the fair. 3 teaching aids were awarded. The projects were judged for creativity, practical usage, and technical skill, skill of expression, information display, workmanship and teamwork wherever applicable. Cash Prizes & certificates were given to the winning students and teachers and prizes in the form of books/scientific toys & trophies were given to the schools of the winners. The prizes and certificates to the winners & the participants were distributed during the Valedictory function on December 20, 2014 at 4.30 PM by the Chief Guest, Prof. B. K. Chakravarthy, Head, Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
The programme has always been very successful and is witnessed by over 15000 visitors every year including students, teachers and general visitors. This year also, large number of visitors (about 25000) visited to the Science fair.
