Prayosha District Community Science Centre (DCSC) in Dang–Ahwa, Gujarat, is a district-level institution dedicated to spreading health and science awareness through innovative, hands-on community programs and educational drives. The Centre is officially recognized by GUJCOST (Gujarat Council on Science & Technology) and operates under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, making it a key player in local science and health promotion efforts.
Key Mandate and Mission
Prayosha DCSC aims to popularize science and health literacy through:
- Community engagement using hands-on learning and real-world science experiments.
- Formal education support for students, teachers, and educational institutions.
- Special outreach to underprivileged areas and first-generation learners.
- Promotion of health, environmental, and technology literacy among all age groups.
Core Health and Science Awareness Programs
Major Program Categories
| Program Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Health Science Drives | Nutrition, sanitation, menstrual hygiene, vector-borne diseases |
| Environment & Climate Action | Water literacy, waste management, biodiversity awareness |
| Science and Technology Literacy | Robotics, astronomy, coding, innovation in daily life |
| Teacher and Student Workshops | Capacity building in pedagogy and hands-on laboratory learning |
| District Science Fairs & Olympiads | Competitions, exhibitions, community-based problem-solving |
Health Awareness Initiatives
- Nutrition and Sanitation Workshops: Education on balanced diets, cleanliness, disease prevention, and personal hygiene for school children and communities.
- Menstrual Hygiene Education: Targeted campaigns and workshops in collaboration with local schools and women’s groups.
- First-Aid and Vector-Borne Disease Training: Practical training for youth and caregivers, including awareness about malaria, dengue, and local endemic diseases.
- Water and Environment Literacy Camps: Programs teaching water potability, safe drinking methods, and environmental conservation practices.
Science Awareness Campaigns
- Biotechnology Camps: Pratical activities such as DNA isolation from fruit, knowledge hunts, and quizzes, with a fun approach to make biotechnology simple and relatable for students.
- Maker Lab and Innovation Challenges: Robotics, coding, electronics, and low-cost experiments allowing hands-on experience for rural and tribal youth.
- Astronomy and Space Science Events: Night sky observation, solar viewing, and space career guidance workshops connecting real-world science to local interests.
Sample Annual Program Calendar
| Month | Focus Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| June | Teacher Bootcamps | Activity-based pedagogy, lab setup |
| July | Health & Hygiene | Menstrual hygiene and nutrition science workshops |
| August | Robotics Starter | Introduction to Arduino and basics of robotics |
| September | Environment Month | Water literacy, plantation drives |
| October | Astronomy Season | Night sky parties, lunar observation |
| November | Science Fair Preparation | Project mentorship, exhibit creation |
| December | District Science Fair | Quizzes, exhibitions, student showcases |
| January | Coding & Data | Scratch/Python introduction, data logging |
| February | Space Science | Rocket and satellite workshops |
| March | Olympiad Preparation | Problem-solving clinics, mock rounds |
| April-May | Summer Science Camps | Multi-theme camps, hands-on maker sessions |
Notable Health and Science Awareness Campaigns
- BioACorn Biotechnology Awareness Camp: Conducted on March 13, 2015 at Prayosha CSC, this event engaged over 250 students in hands-on biotechnology activities, such as DNA isolation and knowledge hunts, making molecular biology accessible and fascinating. Esteemed guests, including district officials and scientists, emphasized the link between biotechnology, health, and daily life.
- District Health Science Drives: Monthly and quarterly initiatives on nutrition, water safety, menstrual hygiene, and vector-borne diseases, often reaching remote villages with mobile camps and “pop-up” events.
- Thematic Competitions and Fairs: Science fairs, innovation hackathons, and Olympiads with strong health and safety messaging, enabling both individual and group participation from district schools.
Bulleted Highlights of Prayosha CSC Activities
- Affiliated and recognized by GUJCOST, under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat.
- Focus areas: Health science, sanitation, nutrition, biotechnology, environment, robotics, coding, and space science.
- Programs include interactive workshops, exhibitions, health and environment drives, teacher training, and science competitions.
- Participants range from primary schoolers to college youth, teachers, farmers, and self-help groups.
- Community outreach includes mobile awareness camps in villages targeting health, environment, and literacy.
- Approach emphasizes low-cost, locally relevant, inclusive, and hands-on learning.
- Special Inclusion for rural/tribal schools and first-generation learners, especially girls.
Table: Health & Science Awareness Themes at Prayosha CSC
| Theme | Sample Activities | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition & Sanitation | Workshops, live demos, hygiene kits | School children, SHGs |
| Menstrual Hygiene | Education drives, product demos | Girls, community |
| Vector-Borne Diseases | Awareness camps, preventive education | All ages, rural |
| Water Literacy | Potability tests, filtration workshops | Students, villagers |
| Waste-to-Value | Composting, plastic segregation | Farmers, youth |
| Biotechnology | DNA isolation, interactive games, movies | Students, teachers |
| Innovation & Maker Labs | Robotics, coding, electronics workshops | Youth, educators |
| Astronomy | Night sky parties, solar viewing | Families, students |
| Science Fairs/Olympiads | Exhibitions, quizzes, project mentoring | All connected groups |
Latest Updates (As of 2025)
- Activity Expansion: Prayosha DCSC expanded its summer science hobby camps, thematic fairs, and healthcare awareness modules, catering to rising demand for comprehensive science and health literacy in the tribal belt.
- Enhanced Outreach: Increased focus on menstrual hygiene drives, nutrition workshops, mobile science labs for remote areas, and health science exhibitions in 2024–2025.
- Community Impact: Strong feedback and high participation, as tracking data shows increased concept clarity, skill development, and proactive community health actions.
Conclusion
Prayosha CSC stands out as a hands-on hub where health and science awareness blend, connecting local challenges to practical learning through workshops, fairs, village outreach, and capacity-building for teachers and youth. Its campaigns have become vital for promoting well-being, scientific temper, and innovation in Dang, Gujarat, addressing both present needs and building future-ready communities.
