> VITM (A unit of NCSM) Bengaluru in collaboration with U.S. Consulate General Chennai has opened a new exhibition on Full Scale replica of Mars Rover Opportunity in Space Technology gallery on 1st June 2023.

> A full scale model of Chandrayaan-3 was inaugurated at Visvesvaraya Museum (A unit of NCSM) Bengaluru by Dr. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director Chandrayaan-3 ISRO.

> Glimpses of Reaching for the Stars – A conversation with NASA and ISRO

Today (29th November 2023) NASA Chief Mr. Bill Nelson, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma and ISRO Scientific Secretary Mr. Santananu Bhatwadekar visited the Space Technology gallery of VITM and also had an interactive session with students at the auditorium of the museum. It was well covered by the media.

> “Science for kids” Gallery at VITM was inaugurated on 19th April 2019. The gallery is spread out over an area of 263 Sq Mtrs with 27 interactive exhibits.

> An exhibition ‘Vigyan Samagam – Pushing The Frontiers of Science’ was inaugurated. Several dignitaries and the representatives from the collaborators of the exhibition (the 7 organizations INO, LIGO, ITER, CERN, FAIR, SKA and TMT) were present. This exhibition is a joint collaboration between National Council of Science Museums, Dept. of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India and Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. This exhibition highlights the current research happening in various fields of Particle Physics and also showcases the contribution of India in the field to the world scientific community. The exhibition was open to public visit from 29th July 2019 to 28th September 2019.

> Inauguration of space technology gallery at VITM. The “Space Technology” gallery was inaugurated by Shri A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on November 28th, 2017 in the presence of Dr. K Kasturirangan, Former chairman (Indian Space Research Organisation and Ms. Riddhi Mishra, Deputy Secretary (Museums) Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

> Puducherry Science Centre & Planetarium was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge), Govt. of India & Shri N. Rangasamy, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Puducherry on 3rd May 2015.

> Coimbatore Regional Science Centre was dedicated to the people of Tamil Nadu on 13th July 2013 by Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture, Govt. of India.

> ‘Innovation Hub’ – A new Resource Centre was inaugurated on 5th Dec. 2013 by Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon Limited, Bangalore in the presence of Shri. Ramji Raghavan, Chairman, Agastya International Foundation. The objective of the Innovation Hub is to engage the youth in science and technology activities, promote their critical thinking and practical problem solving skills, support innovative ideas and build them to come to fruition, recognize, encourage and facilitate local innovations in Science & Technology.

> Dharwad Regional Science Centre was inaugurated on 27th Feb. 2012 by Shri Mallikarjuna Kharge, Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. The centre has galleries on ‘Bio-machines’, ‘Our Science & Technology Heritage’ & ‘Fun Science’ in addition to the Science Park, Creative Ability Centre and 3-D theatre.

> Travelling exhibition ‘Sir. M. Visvesvaraya – the Legendary Nation Builder’ developed at VITM on the eve of his 150th Birth anniversary was inaugurated on 12th Aug. 2011 by Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy, Director, National institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. The exhibition had a display of collection of original artifacts, & archival documents on the life and works of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

> The renovated ‘Electrotechnic Gallery’ at the museum was inaugurated on 8th April 2010 by Shri Jawahar Sircar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. The gallery had 62 exhibits spread over an area of 723 Sq. meters.

> A new gallery ‘Science for children’ was inaugurated on 30th April 2007 by Shri R. Ashok, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka. The gallery had 45 exhibits spread over an area of 263 Sq. meters, specially designed for children in the age group of 6 – 12 years.

> A Science Expo with display of products and models developed by various scientific institutions was held at the museum during 20th – 24th Nov. 2006. In addition several competitions for visitors were organised during the Expo.

> A new traveling exhibition ‘ The World of Astronomical Observatories’ was developed and opened to the public on 10th June 2005 by Shri R. Ramalinga Reddy, Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Govt. of Karnataka. The exhibition had 24 exhibits and 44 informative panels.

> A new gallery ‘BEL Hall of Electronics’ was inaugurated on 29th June 2004 by Shri T. N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka. The gallery had 51 exhibits spread over an area of 550 Sq. metrers, explaining the basics of digital electronics, communication, virtual environment and computer software.

> A new gallery on ‘Biotechnological Revolution’ was opened on 4th Jan. 2003 by Prof. G. Padmanabhan, Scientist Emeritus, Dept of Biochemistry , I.I.Sc, Bangalore. The exhibition was the first of its kind in India spread over an area of 504 Sq. metres with 71 exhibits.

> A new gallery ‘SPACE-Emerging Technology in the Service of Mankind’ was inaugurated on 19th June 1999 by Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi, Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. The exhibition was spread over an area of 700 Sq. metres with 55 exhibits.

> A travelling exhibition “Giants from the backyard” depicting several robotic arthropods was on display from 24-12-1998 to 31-3-1999 at the museum.

> A new gallery ‘Fun Science’ was inaugurated in the museum on 23rd Dec. 1996 by Prof. G. Padmanabhan, Director, I.I.Sc, Bangalore. The exhibition had 59 exhibits spread over an area of 700 Sq. metres. It was later renovated during 2008.

> New facility ‘Engine Hall’ was inaugurated at VITM on 2nd June 1994 by Shri S. M. Yahya, Minister for Science &Technology, Govt. of Karnataka. The gallery was spread over an area of 1000 Sq. metres with 340 exhibits.

> The first science centre in the state of Andhra Pradesh at Tirupati with a floor area of 4000 Sq.meters was inaugurated by Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Hon’ble President of India on 23rd Sep. 1993. The centre had galleries on ‘Motion’ & ‘Fun Science’, in addition to a sprawling science park & creative ability centre.

> ‘Computer Fair’ for school students was organized at the museum from 8th May 1991 to 14th May 1991. During the fair, ‘Software Development Contest’, ‘Quiz Contest’, ‘Extempore Contest’ on computers and lectures were organised it was Inauguration by Prof V Rajaraman. Chairman SERC, IISc Bangalore.

> ‘Computer Fair’ for school students was organized at the museum from 8th May 1991 to 14th May 1991. During the fair, ‘Software Development Contest’, ‘Quiz Contest’, ‘Extempore Contest’ on computers and lectures were organised it was Inauguration by Prof V Rajaraman. Chairman SERC, IISc Bangalore.

> For the first time in South India, ‘Computer Fair’ for school students was organized at the museum from 18th April 1990 to 24th April 1990. During the fair, ‘Software Development Contest’, ‘Quiz Contest’, ‘Extempore Contest’ on computers and lectures were organised.

> The renovated ‘Electrotechnic Gallery’ at the museum was opened on 20th Dec. 1989 with new concepts of electricity & magnetism.

> The second District Science Centre in southern India at Tirunelveli on 27th Feb. 1987 was opened by Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao, Union Minister for Human Resources & Development and President of NCSM society. The centre had exhibition galleries on ‘Treasures of Ocean’, and ‘Oceanic Quest’ along with children’s activity corner, Science Park and a library.

> The Children’s Science Gallery was opened at the museum on 5th Aug. 1987 by Dr. C. V. Visvesvara, Head of Theoretical Physics, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore. The gallery had 37 exhibits on Astronomy & Astrophysics spread over an area of 263 Sq. metres.

> The District Science Centre, Gulbarga, developed by the museum was inaugurated on 6th Jan. 1984. The centre had exhibition gallery on ‘Wealth of Gulbarga’ along with activity corner, Library and Science Park.

> A portable planetarium STAR LAB precursor to the Taramandal was on demonstration at the museum from 18th – 21st February 1982 by Dr. Alan J. Friedman, Lawrence Hall of Science, USA.

> A special exhibition on ‘Technology in the service of the disabled’ was inaugurated on 15th September 1981 at the museum by Smt. Lakshmi Nizamuddin, President, National Society for Equal Opportunity for the Handicapped. Different types of aids for the disabled were on display supported by information panels.

> UNESCO WORKSHOP on ”The Establishment of Science museums in Asian Countries; Training & Exchange” was held at the museum from 11th – 18th Feb. 1980. The delegates from India, Australia, China, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Pakistan, Srilanka, Nepal, USSR, USA, Germany and UNESCO representatives from Paris, Djakarta & New Delhi participated. The workshop was inaugurated on 12th Feb. 1980 by Shri Govind Narain, Governor of Karnataka.

> The exhibition ‘Technology – the American Experience’ was set up in Lalbagh by the Indo-US sub-Commission, Education & Culture, Franklin Institute, Philadelphia and NCSM. The exhibition was inaugurated on 31st May 1978 by Shri Govind Narain, Governor of Karnataka. The exhibition was open to visitors from 31st May 1978 to 25th June 1978. The exhibition highlighted the technologies and scientific innovations that changed the life of Americans in the areas of food, health, clothing, shelter, transportation, & communication.

> CINE EXPO – an exhibition on cinematography was held at the museum to commemorate of Birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya during September 1977. Shri Govind Narian, Governor of Karnataka inaugurated the exhibition & Shri Subbaiah Shetty, Minister of Information, Karnataka presided over the function. The exhibition traced the scientific & technological growth of the hardware of cinema. The exhibition had exhibits explaining pre-moving picture period, moving picture period, science & technology of contemporary cinema and scientific & technological aspects of future cinema.

> The Exhibit Development Centre at the museum was opened on 15th September 1976 by Shri D. Devaraj Urs, Chief Minister of Karnataka.

> The 10th Anniversary of the museum and 115th Birth Anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya were organised from 15th to 21st September 1975, with multifarious activities. Shri Mohanlal Sukhadia, Governor of Karnataka inaugurated the celebrations on 15th September 1975. Shri R. Gundurao, Minister of state for Information and Youth services, Govt. of Karnataka participated as Guest of Honor. As part of the celebrations an exhibition ‘Old and new communication equipments’ was opened along with Pigeon gram demonstration in which a pigeon bearing a message with Governor’s signature fluttered out of his Excellency’s hands accompanied by 11 other pigeons. All the pigeons made their way to Bangarpet and the pigeon grams were cancelled at the Bangarpet post office in Kolar District

> The Mobile Science Exhibition Unit THUNGA on the theme ‘Man Must Measure’ was inaugurated by Shri S. M. Krishna, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Karnataka on 14th August 1974. The mobile unit had exhibits explaining various measuring devices used by man in daily life, in commerce and industry.

> The 10th All India Museum camp on the theme “Museum as a source of diverse branches of knowledge” was organized at VITM from 1st to 10th January 1973.The camp was inaugurated by late A. R .Badrinarayana, Minister for Education, Govt. of Mysore. Eminent Museologist like Dr. Grace Morley, Shri R. Subramanian of Birla Planetarium, Shri V. P. Beri of Central Museum and many dignitaries from diverse branches of museum participated.

> The First Mobile Science Exhibition Unit CAUVERY on the theme of ‘Water – the fountain of life’ was launched on 2nd April 1970 by Shri T. K. Tukol, Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, with the intention of taking science to the doorsteps of rural populace.

> The science of daily life was explained in the ‘Popular Science Gallery’, which was opened on 22nd May 1969 by Shri V. K. R. V. Rao, Union Minister for Education & Youth, Govt. of Karnataka. The gallery had 72 exhibits spread over a floor space of 555 Sq. meters.

> The second gallery of the museum ‘Motive Power’ was opened on 23rd May 1967 by Shri Nijalingappa, Chief Minister of Mysore state. The gallery had 44 exhibits explaining the history of how early man learnt to domesticate animals, used his own muscle power to do work, and the physics of levers, pulleys, inclined planes etc through working exhibits.

> The first thematic exhibition ‘Electrotechnic’ was opened on 27th July, 1965, by Smt. Indira Gandhi, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. The exhibition was spread over an area of 730 sq. meters with 97 exhibits. The gallery had working exhibits explaining the basics of electricity and magnetism.