HYDERABAD: Freedom from Vernier Callipers, Spectrometers, Voltmeters and all other lab instruments which do not have any use in real life. How? Satyam Foundation and AID-INDIA's simple science kits called `Eureka Learning Labs' will make this possible for 25 Government schools in the city.

Each kit costing Rs. 2,500 has been designed with the help of IIT Chennai. The idea behind the move is to make science a fun-filled experience for children. The kit contains a set of 100 experiments, which involve everyday use things like funnel, plastic bottle, glass, paper etc. The lab kits also contain a detailed instruction manual in Telugu.

`Encourage children'

Speaking at the inauguration function, Srinivas Chakravarthi, Professor from IIT Chennai said, "It is important to encourage questioning among children and let them experiment on their own." Balaji Sampath, secretary, AID-INDIA, emphasised on the fact that a child is born curious, however with time the fear of science sets in. "He cannot relate the experiments in laboratories to the world around him giving a feeling that science is limited to classrooms and labs," he added. Currently, three girls have been involved in the implementation of the project in schools. According to AID-INDIA volunteer Vidya Jonnalagadda, children treat them as `akkas' (elder sisters), which makes the learning experience interesting. With the support of Satyam Foundation, the organisation plans to expand its workforce further.

Manmadh Reddy, Joint Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, presented the kits to Head Mistresses of Government Upper Primary Schools of Musheerabad and Bholakpur on the occasion.

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