Science Caravan Federal Unit

The Science Caravan (Federal Unit) of the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is a mobile science exhibition designed to promote scientific awareness, especially among students in rural and underserved areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and adjoining regions. Established in November 1987 and operational since May 1988, it is the first and oldest unit of the Science Caravan programme. The Federal Unit carries a range of interactive scientific models, working experiments, microscopes, computers, and multimedia tools that make abstract scientific concepts easy to visualize. One of its main attractions is the portable planetarium, which introduces students to astronomy, the solar system, and celestial phenomena in an engaging way. Over time, this unit has expanded its role beyond exhibitions by conducting science-learning workshops and promoting the Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE) approach through hands-on kits that use low-cost materials to help students explore scientific principles practically. Each year, thousands of students visit the Caravan’s exhibitions, benefiting from exposure to scientific demonstrations and interactive learning that they may not have access to in their schools. The Federal Unit continues to play a vital role in PSF’s mission to popularize science across the country, inspire young minds, and strengthen scientific literacy at the grassroots level.