All aboard the Science Express at CST

Through interactive information panels,pictures of various species,video footage of animals and birds from the wild,models,graphics and games,the visitors learned about the richness and importance of Indian biodiversity,causes that threaten it and conservation initiatives.

Impressed by the quickness and ease with which their children were digesting information,parents were appreciative of the exhibition. Poyni Chandorkar,whose 10-year-old daughter Ananya familiarised herself with dolphins said,“There are not many science museums in Mumbai and this kind of information is not available. For kids of this age,the exhibition is a way of instantly absorbing material.”

For Julie Joshi,the exhibition was a way for her six-year-old daughter Divyata to match name with picture. “Recently,we were talking about crocodiles and she could not imagine it. But today,she has seen it and will always remember it.”

Vyoma Jaiswal,an information guide on the train said,“Children study these things in science and geography. But here it is represented in a manner they can relate to and retain.”

Curious adults were also seen punching away at the information panels. The climate change coach was a major draw with many like 17-year-old Akshat Shah pledging to reduce carbon footprint at the pledge board. For 13-year-old Shrutika Sawant it was a reaffirmation of her beliefs. “I cycle to school everyday and my family is conscientious about switching off lights and fans,conserving water and recycling waste,” she said.

For some others,it was the lessons at the end of the exhibition that mattered most. Sonia Panchal,whose nine-year-old daughter Dia was enamoured of the snow-leopard interactive panel learnt that it is an endangered species,said,“She has learnt so many things today. But the most important of all is the need for conservation.”