Students to explore science, society through acting in Bengal

Kolkata: School students from four states in east India will explore the link of science with society through acting in a science drama contest in August, organisers said on Wednesday.

To be held at the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) on August 21, the 'Eastern India Science Drama Competition', will bring together school-goers from various districts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.

"The aim of this programme is to encourage students, teachers and science communicators to explore, experiment and use the powerful medium of drama as a means of science communication.

"Teams of eight students guided by a director (guide teacher) will compete at district level, then at the regional level and finally nationally at the national science drama festival in January 2016," Gautam Seal, an official of BITM, told IANS.

Each team will stage one original script of 30 minutes based on themes like 'life and works of scientists', 'light and life', 'save our soil', 'cleanliness and health', 'science in daily life' and 'innovate or perish'.

"A distinguished panel of judges comprising experts from the fields of both drama and science will evaluate the performances based on scientific content, presentation and effectiveness," added Seal.