The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Inculcating the spirit of science in schoolchildren

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Friday, Nov 20, 2009
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Inculcating the spirit of science in schoolchildren

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Visits to universities in the State, field trips to research institutions and group discussions by campfires will be the highlights of a three day-training programme for schoolchildren organised by the Education Department, in association with the Science and Technology Museum.

As many as 298 selected high school students, in groups, will take part in the training from Friday. The sessions will be held at the University of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi University, the University of Calicut, Kannur University and the Cochin University of Science and Technology.

During the orientation programme, students would learn about all the major disciplines on the campus, according to G. Arul Jerald Prakash, director in-charge of the science and technology museum. “The idea is to help children identify their future area of interest or specialisation,” said Mr. Prakash.

Accommodation for the students will be provided by the respective universities.

The session, specifically meant for students in government and aided schools, is a part of ‘Inculcate,’ a scholarship programme aimed at identifying and nurturing young minds with a taste for science and research. The orientation programme will select 55 candidates, including five students belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category.

They will be taken to the science and technology museum in December for a week-long training. They will also visit various institutions of repute such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai; Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalloor, Tamil Nadu and the Radio and Telescope Observatory, Ootty.

After the training, the students will receive a scholarship of Rs.750 a month for five years, till they complete their Plus Two. Fifty per cent of the scholarship will be awarded to students from rural areas. In addition, there will be a contingency allowance of Rs.2,500. This is to be used for purchasing books and making visits to research institutions, industries and other scientific establishments within the country.

The selected students will be mentored by an eminent scientist or a researcher who will guide them in completing their projects and other assignments on an individual basis. The government has set apart Rs.30 lakh for the project this year, Mr. Prakash said.

Minister for Education M.A. Baby will formally launch the programme by interacting with students at the Bio-informatics Centre, Kariyavattom, on Friday.

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