Pune: CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, successfully concluded its flagship science outreach program One Day as a Scientist on July 25, 2025.
Organized under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Jigyasa initiative, the week-long program offered over 440 students from Pune, Mumbai, and other parts of Maharashtra a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of real scientists and engage in hands-on laboratory activities.
Designed to foster scientific temper and motivate youth towards careers in science and research, the initiative included 16 expert talks, 11 live demonstrations, 6 facility tours, and 5 hands-on experimental sessions over five days.
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Students from grades 8 to 10 explored topics such as AI in chemistry, DNA extraction, plastic recycling, and green technology, while also interacting with scientists working on cutting-edge innovations.
Dr Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, inaugurated the program by sharing the institute’s pioneering work in sustainable chemistry and plastics. “Our goal is to convert scientific discoveries into technologies that bring societal and economic impact,” he stated, encouraging students to pursue science with a mission-driven mindset.
Special sessions were led by noted researchers like Dr Samir Chikkali (Plastic Depolymerization), Dr Manohar Badiger (Super Absorbents), Dr Magesh Nandagopal (Commercializing Ideas), and others. The program also featured digital tech demonstrations of AI- and VR-powered smart labs.
The One Day as a Scientist event culminated with a virtual address by Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, inspiring the students to embrace innovation and research in service of a self-reliant India.
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One Day as A Scientist: Hands-on Learning
Hands-on learning included chromatography experiments, electromagnet crane building, plant tissue culture, and visits to facilities such as the pyrolysis unit and genome sequencing lab. Throughout the sessions, students wore lab coats and safety gear, gaining a real-world experience that many called “life-changing.”
CSIR-NCL’s One Day as a Scientist exemplifies how immersive scientific outreach can shape the aspirations of young minds and support the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 through science education.
