Science, Story, and Soul: An Interdisciplinary Journey at RSC Bhavnagar

1. Introduction 

On December 10th, the PG English Department of MKBU traded our books for exhibits, visiting the Regional Science Centre (RSC), Bhavnagar. The date, Nobel Day, inspired us to explore the connection between great discoveries in science and creativity in the humanities. Our goal was simple: to show that all knowledge whether scientific or literary aims to understand our complex world. We didn't just look at the exhibits; we looked for the stories they told, the metaphors they offered, and the way they connected to our study of human experience, society, and culture. We expected to find that science and literature speak the same language of discovery.

2. Gallery Experiences 

 Marine & Aquatic Gallery: The Deep Current of Imagination

Our trip began with the ocean's story. Seeing the huge, ancient skeletons of marine reptiles made us think about geological time how tiny and brief human life is compared to the vast history of the Earth. The realistic model of the Octopus represented the mysterious, non-human world, while the information on Marine Microorganisms showed us how tiny, unseen things hold up the entire ecosystem.

Caption: "This exhibit of ancient marine skeletons demonstrated the sheer scale of evolutionary time. It resonated with me because it highlights human brevity against the colossal history of the planet, a theme central to ecological literature."

Literary Connection: The vastness of the ocean and the ancient reptiles connect to the literary idea of the Sublime nature so huge and powerful it inspires awe and terror. The hidden, interconnected life of the microorganisms is key to Ecocriticism, reminding us that human survival depends on the health of the planet's smallest parts, a critical theme in modern writing about the environment.

Automobile Gallery: The Literature of Mobility and Modernity

Moving from nature to human invention, the Automobile Gallery was a history of speed and industry. We focused on the working parts of the Inline 4 Cylinder Engine , which showed the clean, mechanical process of turning fuel into motion. We also looked at the early steam-powered cart model , seeing the start of the age of machines.

Caption: "The Inline 4 Cylinder Engine exhibit demonstrated mechanical efficiency and power generation. It resonated with me because it is a perfect metaphor for the relentless, forward-driving force of industrialization and its impact on human destiny."

Literary Connection: How do technological shifts shape societies, journeys, mobility, and narratives?

The engine is a crucial symbol of Modernity in literature. It represents the change from the slow, reflective 'journey' (like in older novels) to the fast, sometimes lonely 'transit' of modern life. It connects directly to Modernist literature and poetry, which often explored how the cold, fast world of machines made humans feel alienated or lost, questioning where the human spirit fits into a mechanized society.

A Moment of Fellowship: Lunch

Our journey through the galleries paused for a welcomed lunch, kindly sponsored by Prof. Dr. Barad Sir. This time of community and rest reminded us that even the most serious study whether of literature or science is strengthened by simple human connection and the support of our mentors.

Electro-Mechanics Gallery: The Invisible Force of Metaphor

In the Electro-Mechanics Gallery, we saw the power of invisible forces. The miniature model of the Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Train was a highlight, showing how magnets lift the train to avoid friction, allowing for incredible speed. This control over physical laws was mirrored by the lively Plasma Globe , where electricity danced under glass.

Caption: "The Maglev Train model demonstrated the power of electromagnetism to overcome friction. It resonated with me because the concept of 'levitation' serves as a potent metaphor for literary themes of escape, transcendence, and overcoming systemic obstacles."

Literary Connection: Which interactive exhibit sparked a metaphor or reminded you of literary themes such as modernity, industrialization, or human machine relationships?

The Maglev Train's ability to "float" is a perfect metaphor for transcendence or alienation the idea of moving beyond the normal physical limits of life, a theme common in science fiction and fantasy. The Plasma Globe represents potentiality in psychological literature: the hidden, invisible energy (like deep passion, trauma, or creativity) that exists within a character and suddenly becomes visible in a flash of action or emotion.

 Biology Science Gallery: The Narrative of Evolution

This gallery deeply engaged us with the ideas of Charles Darwin and evolution. The large Evolutionary Tree (Tree of Life) showed how all life is connected, and the skeletons of the Gorilla and Humanoid put our own species' development on clear display. This forced us to look closely at what makes us "human."

Caption: "This exhibit comparing human and gorilla skeletons demonstrated the physical mechanism of evolution. It resonated with me because it forces us to rethink concepts of 'human exceptionalism' and questions what truly constitutes identity and consciousness themes essential to modern philosophy and literature."

Literary Connection: Which biological concept deepened your understanding of life, identity, or embodiment?

The theory of evolution is a major narrative structure itself, showing constant struggle and adaptation. It gives us a strong lens to analyze the literary theme of human nature versus culture. The Evolutionary Tree is a metaphor for the genealogy of literature how new styles and genres branch out from older ones but still carry the "DNA" of tradition. Every character's motivation and conflict is ultimately rooted in this biological and cultural history.

 Nobel Gallery: Creativity, Interpretation, and Cultural Impact

Our final stop was the Nobel Gallery on December 10th (Nobel Day). This gallery celebrated great minds like Dr. Har Gobind Khorana . It showed that the pursuit of truth, whether in scientific research or literary creation, requires the same qualities: hard work, vision, and boldness.

Literary Connection: What ideas about genius, creativity, discovery and their cultural impact stood out?

The Nobel Gallery reminded us that scientific discoveries parallel the creative process in literature. A scientist imposing order on chaotic data to create a new law is similar to a writer imposing structure on chaotic experience to create a profound novel. Both endeavors change culture. This gallery reinforced that the humanities are necessary to understand the ethical and social meanings of scientific progress.

3. Personal Reflection 

The entire visit was a profound lesson in interdisciplinary insight. The most unexpected realization was how scientific concepts can be used as critical tools in literary analysis. For example, the idea of evolutionary pressure from the Bio Science Gallery is a perfect way to analyze how cultural and social forces change characters and communities in literature. The Maglev Train's levitation became a physical metaphor for literary ideas of transcendence or the distance created by alienation.

This trip was not about learning formulas; it was about expanding our language of metaphor and theory. It showed us that science is a narrative of discovery, and that literature is essential for interpreting the human meaning of that discovery. This relationship is not one of opposition, but of symbiosis.

The visit ended with a creative activity: a quiz, followed by writing a personal thought, poem, or topic inspired by the day. This final act perfectly combined the structure of science with the freedom of art, making us process the facts we saw through a personal, creative lens.

4. Conclusion 

The visit to the Regional Science Centre, Bhavnagar, was a huge success. The most important takeaway is the relevance of scientific literacy for students of English Studies. To truly critique and understand the modern world a world shaped by technology and ecological concerns we must be able to "read" the narratives of science.

The journey from ancient sea life to Nobel-winning genius proved that all knowledge is interconnected. The structure of a novel can be as complex as an engine, and a scientific theory can be as elegant as a poem. We offer our deep gratitude to Prof. Dr. Barad Sir for his generous sponsorship and the intellectual framework he provided, and to the staff of the Science Centre for an interactive and enlightening day.

 Curated Photo Gallery

1. Ancient Marine Fossils

2. Octopus Model in Aquatic Exhibit

3. Inline 4 Cylinder Engine Model

4. Early Steam-Powered Cart Model

5. Plasma Globe Interactive Exhibit

6. Tree of Life / Evolutionary Tree

7. Comparative Gorilla and Human Skeletons

8. Statue of Nobel Laureate Dr. Har Gobind Khorana

Here is the screenshots of my facebook post and instagram post