National Museum of Science & Technology (NMST), is A Attached Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It was formed under an executive order of the then Pakistan Government on April 26, 1965. This museum is functioning as an unitary body.
The museum has several galleries like: Physical science gallery, Fun science gallery, Biological science gallery, Technological gallery, IT gallery and so on.
Except those, there are a science park, a sky observatory, a science library and so on.
The museum arranges different types of educational programme like : Popular science lecture, Scientific film show, Children science festival and so on. The museum also arranges National Science and Technology each year both district level national on behalf of the respective ministry.
The museum also helps the young scientists in developing their works.
a) To create awareness of Science & Technology among the common mass
b) To popularise Science & Technology among the students and for this purpose:
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To set up permanent exhibition in the museum
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To arrange Science & Technology fair, Science exhibition and to organize various ompetitions on Science & Technology
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To arrange Mobile Science Exhibitions
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To publish journal on different subjects of Science & Technology
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To arrange series of lecture on scientific topics, seminars and workshops
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To organize research activities on the exhibits for the development of the museum
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To arrange studies on space science by establishing a planetarium
c) To supplement the formal Science education in the schools and colleges through non-formal educational program
d) To undertake updating programme on Science education
e) To encourage and co-operate the young and non-professional scientist in their innovative works
f) To strengthen the science movement in the country by arranging mutual co-operation among the science clubs with the museum
g) To depict the chronological development of science & technology through various exhibits
h) To collect, preserve and to explain the application of old and new scientific and technological items
i) To help create awareness about the benefits of Science & Technology discovered by the scientists for welfare of the human civilization.
Present Activities
The present activities of the museum can mainly be classified into following categories, namely-
a) Exhibitory activities: The following galleries at present are:
Physical science gallery, Fun science gallery, Biological gallery, IT gallery and Technology gallery.
Except these, some outdoor exhibits including Science park is also existed.
Any visitor can visit the all above exhibitions through a ticket of five taka on every Saturday to Wednesday on office time [ 9.15 A.M. to 4.45 P.M].
But students from schools/colleges/universities can apply in-group wise for above exhibitions through their respective authority. In that case, they can also apply for the free museum bus for their transport if the institution in the Dhaka city.
Sky observation through powerful telescope is held on every Saturday and Sunday evening by a ten take ticket for each visitor. The sky observation is only possible if the sky is cloudless.
The mini planetarium show is only held on every Saturday and Sunday normal exhibition time. Visitor can enjoy this show through a ticket of five taka each.
b) Educational Activities: Popular science lecture, Scientific film show, Children science festival, Quiz contest, Seminar and Symposium, Library service, Internet browsing service and so on.
Generally popular science lecture is held for a term of three-month duration on one lecture per week. The renowned scientists of the soil deliver the science lectures. Subject matters may be Astronomical, Astrophysical, Cosmological, Medical, Biotechnological, Environmental or Contemporary scientific crisis and so on.
The science lecture is open for any interested person.
Scientific film show is held on every Wednesday on 11.00 A.M. This film show is also open for all.
Children science festival is held once per year. Only students of class III to class VII can participate on the festival through registration with a fixed amount of money. This is a day long program enhances the scientific creativity of the children.
Quiz contest is held randomly among the group-wise student visitors from educational institutes with out any notice. The first , second and third position holders are awarded with respective prizes. But all participants are awarded with consolation prizes.
Seminars and Symposiums are arranged on special occasion.
Library service is open for all only in the office time [ from Sunday to Thursday on 9.15 A.M. to 4.45 P.M.] This library has more than 5000 Scientific & Technological books. The outside readers can read only but can not borrow books from the library.
c) Publicatoins:
‘Nabin Biggani’ (Young Scientist) a quarterly science magazine,
‘Udbhaban’ (Innovation) a yearly report on young scientist,
A yearly report on Science and Technology Week from national level.
Year wise proceedings on Popular science conducted by the museum.
More about publications
(d) Science Week & activities
NMST arranges National Science & Technology Week every year in both district level and national level. Only two participants (One from junior level and other from senior level or college level) from each district can participate in National level. The viable projects from the science weeks are encouraged to be developed further by Young scientist’s activities.
(e) Young Scientist activities
NMST always encourage the young generation and help them in development of their potential projects. NMST helps them both financially and technologically. Each year NMST gives circular selection of potential projects according to the interest of socio- economic benefit for the nation. Then restricted number of projects are selected to be develop. The project development period is of three months. In young scientist project, time a monthly allowance and good technological/Scientific guide as expert on the relevant field are supplied to the developers. Also all raw materials are supplied to them as well as Workshop facilities are given to them. NMST has an enriched workshop for their development of the Young Scientist’s projects and museum exhibits.
Future Plan
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To establish a full-fledged modern Science Museum.
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To establish mobile science exhibition through Museo-buses.
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To establish branch centres of the Museum in order to disseminate her act ivies towards grass root level.
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To cordinate and synchronise science activities of the nation.
Administration
National Museum of Science & Technology is an Attached Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
National Museum of Science & Technology is a unitary body.
The executive officer of the museum is Director. He is appointed by the government.
The other officers and employees are permanent personnel of the museum.
Next after director, curator coordinates overall museum activities.
