Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 [UDN}: The Regional Science Centre (RSC), Bhubaneswar, successfully organized a special educational programme titled “Journey to the Age of Dinosaurs: Science, Adventure and Creativity” to mark World Nature Conservation Day 2026. Despite heavy monsoon rainfall, the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 47 students representing the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Bhubaneswar, the Department of Geology, Utkal University, and Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar.
World Nature Conservation Day, observed every year on July 28, aims to raise awareness about the conservation of natural resources, biodiversity, and the Earth’s rich natural heritage. Keeping this objective in focus, the Regional Science Centre designed an immersive educational programme that introduced participants to the fascinating world of prehistoric life, paleontology, and the evolutionary history of the Earth through hands-on learning experiences.
The programme commenced with a guided tour of the Dinosaur Theme Park, where students explored life-sized dinosaur models and gained valuable insights into their evolution, behaviour, habitats, and eventual extinction. The interactive tour enabled participants to better understand the scientific significance of dinosaurs and their role in Earth’s evolutionary timeline.
Following the park visit, Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mallik, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at Utkal University, conducted an engaging interactive lecture. During his session, he explained the scientific importance of fossils, methods of fossil exploration and excavation, various branches of geology, and the crucial role geology plays in reconstructing Earth’s ancient history. Students actively participated in the discussion, raising questions about higher education opportunities, research prospects, and career paths in geology and related fields. Dr. Mallik provided detailed and informative responses, inspiring students to explore the discipline further.
An online quiz competition was subsequently organized, allowing participants to test their knowledge of dinosaurs, fossils, geology, and nature conservation. The quiz generated considerable enthusiasm and encouraged students to reinforce what they had learned during the day’s activities.
In the concluding session, students from the Department of Geology, Utkal University, presented a fossil exhibition showcasing a variety of fossil specimens. They explained the scientific significance, identification methods, and preservation techniques associated with each exhibit. The display offered participants a rare opportunity to closely observe genuine fossil samples while gaining a deeper understanding of their importance in scientific research and the study of Earth’s history.
The programme, which successfully combined experiential learning, scientific discussions, direct observation, and fossil exhibitions, significantly enhanced students’ interest in nature conservation, paleontology, and geology. It also increased awareness about educational and career opportunities in the field of Earth sciences.
Through such educational initiatives, the Regional Science Centre, Bhubaneswar continues its dedicated efforts to promote scientific awareness, encourage environmental conservation, and expand experiential science education among people from all sections of society. The event reflected the Centre’s commitment to nurturing scientific curiosity while inspiring future generations to appreciate and protect the natural world.
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