Help Children Access Hands -On Science Education

The Mobile Science Lab (MSL) is a powerful and innovative instrument to revolutionize rural education and make hands-on education increasingly accessible. The Mobile Science Lab (MSL) is a powerful and innovative instrument to revolutionize rural education and make hands-on education increasingly accessible. It is a catalytic channel that is fun, engaging and interactive, aimed to raise awareness among disadvantaged children and teachers of the value of learning - with a focus on science. Each MSL travels to the doorstep of remote schools with 100+ hands-on science models covering a wide range of topics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for Classes 5 through 9. Children are able to relate better to concepts explained through interactive demonstrations rather than through rote learning.

 Program Highlights

• Community visits were conducted at Soluru, Kodugurki, Muddanayakanahalli, Bommanahalli and Devanahalli.
• Young Instructor Training was conducted for 223 students. 11 teachers were a part of it. The schools that took an active role were GHPS Bychapura, GHPS Channahalli, GHPS Kundana and GHPS Anneshwara.
• Abdul Kalam Day and World Toilet Day were celebrated at GHPS Anneshwara.
• World Pollution Control Day was celebrated at GHS Narayanapura.
• A 9-day winter camp was organised at GHPS Venkatagirikote, GHPS Bettakote and GHPS Bychapura in October. Activities related to Talent Search, Team Building, Leadership, and Indoor and Outdoor games took place where all 452 girls actively participated.

 Topics covered were:

Air, Atoms and Molecules, Human Torso, Periodic Table, Magnetism, Metal and Non-Metal, Reproduction in animals, Physical & Chemical Change, Skeletal System, Respiration, Light and Mirror, Human Anatomy, Sound, Reflection of Light, Food and Nutrition, Light and Shadow.

 Curious questions from children?

1. Why do animals reproduce?
2. Is boiling water a chemical change?
3. Who is the father of the periodic table?
4. Why are all metals magnetic?
5. Why do our noses have two nostrils?
6. Where in my body is the original cell from which I was formed?
7. Why image is not formed in the convex lens?
8. How much do all the bones in the body weigh?
9. Where does our home wastewater go?

Feedback

For one week we attended the winter camp conducted by Agastya. In the camp, the teacher taught us paper activities, low-cost model making, photosynthesis, quadrilaterals, optical instruments, measurement, kick racket, and some topics related to theatre activities. We played fun games at this camp. Thanking Agastya and the team.

~Aishwarya, Class 7, GHPS Bettakote

There was a class on cells and microscopes today by Agastya. I saw an amoeba, euglena and paramecium under the microscope for the first time. I learnt more about each of the microorganisms, and how to handle the slide materials in this class. I am very thankful to Agastya and please be visiting us again and again.

~Divya, Class 8, MDRS Kundana

The concept of light was taught in today's class by doing hands-on activities using different models like Deep well, Optic kit, and One-object Eleven images. Agastya's teacher was so keen on making us experience each activity practically. I learned and the idea become very easy for me. I think I can remember this class for a long time.

~Somashekar, Class 8, Mahatma High School, Vijaypura

During vacation, our students were involved more interestingly in the camp. It helped them to enhance their practical knowledge. Also, I saw every day they learnt various topics in different manners. I am very thankful to madam and their team.

~Kariyappa, Nisargadama(Manager), Sparsha Trust

Links:

• http://www.agastya.org/
• http://www.facebook.com/Agastya.Foundation
• https://twitter.com/agastyasparks