Science is the systematic study of the world through observation, questioning and experiments for the ultimate purpose of prediction. Science uses qualitative and quantitative methods to understand and explain the observable phenomena. Science in our school textbooks is often presented in a way which is geared towards doing well in examinations. This then becomes a summary of facts or a set of instruction activities that needs to be performed or a set of formulae. The emphasis is on remembering rather than analyzing. “Schools are often geared towards examinations, which is important. However, we need to grab at least a little portion of the students’ time to give opportunities to be curious and ask questions and wonder. The key theme of this science week is this process of introducing skills of science and math so that the enjoyment, the curiosity and the wonder increase”, said Prof. Tirthankar Bhattacharya, Indian Institute of Science and Chairperson of the Outreach Committee, The Academy Trust
This National Science Day, The Academy Trust and Indian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with Seed2Sapling Education aims to give students & teachers an engaging experience of scientific & mathematical thinking process. A series of talks and exploratory sessions for teachers, students and anyone interested in sciences has been planned. The science week will be held from 26th Feb to 6th March instead of a single day event on 28th Feb. Distinguished scientists of India will deliver public talks. The sessions for students will have science and math explorations using simple, easily available materials. Teachers’ sessions will provide educators to explore concepts using the scientific processes and experience the joy of discovery firsthand. This will be followed by a dialogue on how to make our science and math classrooms joyful.
The science week celebration will be followed by other long-term engagements with teachers and students. A 12 week long certificate program will be conducted for a selected group of science and math teachers. “To let children enjoy the process of science, the key is to have a mistake-friendly and non threatening environment where everyone is free to explore. Through our workshops for school teachers and students, we would like everyone to experience and enjoy this whole journey of science and math processes.” said Pankaj Jain, co-founder of Seed2Sapling Education and one of the organizers.
Another highlight of the event is the
‘Quest-Fest’ contest to celebrate simple, unique observations and questions
from both students and teachers. Science often begins with a simple, unique but
puzzling observation or a question. The idea behind this contest is to celebrate the process of science rather
than just the results. “The key aim of the question fest is to encourage
teachers and students to keenly observe the world around them and celebrate
this activity. A framework guiding the interested participants to come up with
unique observations and questions will be shared” said Mrinal
Shah, one of the organizers of the event.
Students, teachers and all other science enthusiasts can register for this exciting celebration of science at the Indian Academy of Sciences website located at ias.ac.in or the Seed2Sapling Education website at s2seducation.com
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