Executive Summary : | The project aims to provide a platform for students from both formal and non-formal school systems to showcase their creativity and innovativeness in solving societal problems. It aims to promote the "method of science" and encourage curiosity and inquisitiveness in students. The project will conduct outreach activities, including training in science and technology, communication, awareness programs, and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The program will prompt students to think about significant societal problems, ponder over their causes, and solve them using the scientific process.
The program will include seminars, workshops, and competitions, focusing on themes such as ecology and environmental science, science behind miracles, health, puppet making, mathematical games, and activities. The project will mobilize students through community/guardians meetings, discussions, workshops, and media talks. India has a large population of creative and productive young people who want to contribute to science and technology. However, quality science education in the country faces several problems, including textbook dependence, lack of activity-based learning, and a lack of contextualization. The project also acknowledges the diversity among Indian students, ranging from socio-economic backgrounds to individual differences.
Knowledge is constructed through interaction with the physical and social environment, and science education should consider students' contexts, backgrounds, and experiences to make it meaningful, holistic, and relevant. Traditional methods should be supplemented with activities, projects, demonstrations, discussions, and experiments to engage students. The primary target group is the rural hilly tribal and schedule caste community, who often lack practical lessons due to a lack of knowledge in science and technology. The science awareness program will include practical demonstrations, quizzes, essay competitions, drawing, and video screenings. The program will also provide insight into the importance of science in everyday life, waste management, and environmental improvement models. Monitoring, evaluation, and lesson learning mechanisms will be used to ensure effective delivery of services. The goal is to popularize science among high school students in economically and geographically disadvantage schools, increase enjoyment and interest in science, improve understanding of the science curriculum, and foster peer-to-peer learning. |