Children have you ever wondered how our life would have been without electricity, television, railways, mobile phones, computers and internet services and even the gas on which we cook our food and run our cars? In fact in today’s world everything is a gift of science and there is no way we can imagine our life without science.Without science we would go back to the Stone Age. Inventions of science has brought the world closer to us and has made the sharing and transfer of information possible across the globe. Children you don”t need highly specialised or expensive equipment to learn to explore the world scientifically. You need, as Rachel Carson mused in The Sense of Wonder, “the companionship of at least one adult who can share it.” Simple toys and tools can engage children as they explore natural phenomena in ways that will support their later science learning.
Brief History of World Science Week
Seeing the diversity of the subject each year, World Science Week for Peace and Development offers an opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of science in our daily lives and to engage them in debates on related issues.The International Week of Science and Peace was first observed during 1986 as part of the observance of the International Year of Peace. The events and activities for the week was undertaken as a non-governmental initiative.
Based on the success of the 1986 observance, the organisers continued their efforts in successive years. In recognition of the value of the annual observance, the General Assembly adopted resolution 43/61 in December 1988, which proclaims the “International Week of Science and Peace”, to take place each year from November 9 to14. The General Assembly urged Member States and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations to encourage relevant institutions, associations and individuals to sponsor events and activities related to the study and dissemination of information in science and technology and maintenance of peace and security. It also urged Member States to promote international co-operation among scientists and required the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly .The annual observance of the International Week of Science and Peace is making an important contribution to the promotion of peace. The Week encourages greater academic exchanges on a subject of universal importance while generating greater awareness of the relationship of science and peace among the general public.
Theme of 2016 World Science Week
The 2016 World Science Week for Peace and Development is dedicated to the theme ‘Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums’. Science centres and museums play key role in nurturing the curiosity in children, as living laboratories of creativity, catalysing research and solutions to help societies meet challenges. In the digital era, when we need innovative initiatives to promote the learning of science outside the classrooms, museums and science centres are privileged places of education. They provide excellent ways to encourage children to multiply their collective scientific capabilities. These are the places where people can come together and explore the very mysteries that make up our world. They are fostering creativity, increasing scientific literacy, supporting teachers to inspire their students, improving the quality of science education and promoting learning experiences within a social context, as well as changing possible negative perceptions of the impact of science on society, thus attracting youths to science careers and encouraging them to experiment and expand our collective knowledge.
Objectives of celebrating World Week of Science and Peace
The week offers an opportunity to mobilise all acts around the topic of science for peace and development.The basic objectives of celebrating International Week of Science and Peace are:
n Promotion of the international peace, science, security and co-operation.
n Protection of the environment.
n Promotion of the human rights.
n Promotion of the mankind development socially and economically.
n Focusing the role of science on the way to green societies.
n Evaluating the importance of scientists and science role in maintenance of societies.
n Providing the common public a chance to understand the significance of science in their daily lives.
n Increasing the role of science and technology in maintaining the world peace and social development as well as to endeavour for the peaceful environment internationally.
A week long activity of the event consists of exhibitions on public education related to the health care,
technical innovations, science, science contests, academic competitions, and discussions on culture, environment, women development and etc. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn and have first hand experience of the wonders and creativity involved in science and
technology.
—Aniket Raja
