MAS Finale Press Release

Mad About Science

The Mullaperiyar Dam may be a topic of controversy between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but for students of Class 4, of The Shri Ram School, Aravali, it is an open and shut case. “The weaker the dam, the greater the chance of its walls collapsing,” says 11 year old Neal Srivastava confidently. “Its waters would then rush uncontrollably downstream, destroying everything in its path.”

Neal is quite matter-of-fact as he says so. His confidence comes from ‘Mad About Science’, a month long celebration of science in everyday life by The Shri Ram School, Aravali.  Neal’s mother, Vandana Srivastava, along with other parents, had built a dam in his classroom and shown the children how dams work.

This unique initiative had parents performing science experiments alongside children in the classroom. “It’s an effort to take the learning process beyond the confines of the school by actively involving parents in their children’s education,” says Manika Sharma, Principal Junior School of The Shri Ram School, Aravali. The month long programme culminates in a science fair at the school’s campus on 18^th December.

“My son Neil Basu idolized Spiderman and constantly demanded t-shirts and comic books,” says Niranjana Basu. “But after we conducted a module about bio-mimicry in his classroom, he is creating his own super heroes! Neil’s favourite is now the Geckoman.”

 “A gecko can walk upside down on the ceiling, can you beat that?” cries Neil. Bio-mimicry is when humans observe unique attributes of plants and animals and apply them for their own uses. Neil has since learnt that the bottom of a gecko’s foot is covered with millions of tiny foot hairs on each toe. A similar piece, 20 cms long, can hold a fully grown person! “Imagine a suit with sticky hands and knee pads,” says Neil.

“During this month, both my son Ansh and I have realized that we need not go to the African jungle to get inspired,” says Charu Sahay, whose son studies in class 4. “Inspiration is all around us”.  “My father used to hate chemicals and chemistry. So I was surprised when I found him performing experiments with chemicals in my classroom.  He now helps me with my science lessons at home,” says Parichay Agarwal, a class 7 student.

 “‘Mad About Science’ is The Shri Ram School’s endeavour to bring teacher and parents together. It has strengthened their bonds and taken the learning experience beyond the classroom into students’ homes,” says Mark Parkinson, the Director of the school.

“We now have complete respect for the teachers who control a classroom full of inquisitive, intelligent minds, while we struggle with just two kids at home,” says Pooja Raj Saxena. "As parents of The Shri Ram School, we are indeed privileged that we can be part of our child's classroom. This not only helps parents enrich the child's school learning experience but also build a special bond with teachers and other parents" says Prabhat Aggarwal, Secretary, PSA.

The grand finale on the 18^th of December will have a carnival atmosphere, keeping with the theme that “Science can be fun.” Stalls are being put up for each class, displaying their best experiments with students and parents in attendance.  The Science Fair is open from 10am to 4:40pm.

Mr Arun Bharat Ram, current Chairman of CII Environment Council, and the Indian Co-Chairman of the Indo German Consultative Group will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and inaugurate the event at 10 am.

The Fair also brings forth many attractions such as:

Techtronics Education (India) Limited, a pioneer in promotion of 'learning by doing’ concept, established as a leading importer and distributor of Robotics development platforms and hands on learning aids.

United Way of Delhi, an NGO whose mission is to improve lives in a measurable, scalable and sustainable way by mobilizing the caring power of Delhi. One of their initiatives is a mobile van which is being effectively used to spread the wonder of science to those outside the reach of conventional means and many more.

In addition, Craft Corners reinforcing the science concepts will provide a range of art and craft activities to keep the little ones enthralled.

 “Minute Maid is about working with nature. Science helps us to better understand nature and how we can give back to nature and flourish. We are happy to be associated with ‘Mad About Science’ which helps young minds to understand and give back to nature through science. “, says Deepak Jolly, Vice President, Public Affairs and Communication, Coca Cola India who is supporting Mad About Science.

Media Contacts:

Neelima Singh

9811244555

Vimala Rajkumari

9650012959

MAS Press Release

Kitchen, Chemistry and the Classroom: “Mad About Science”

Priyanka Sharda was once scared of spiders, today she breeds them around her home. Debeshi carefully extracts DNA strands in her kitchen, using shampoo and common salt. Rashmi Chopra is magnetizing her sewing needle, to create a compass. Anna Godura is emptying her favourite jam jar-in the hope of creating a mini tornado within its confines.

Priyanka, Debeshi, Rashmi and Annai are “Mad About Science”. No, they are not your average school students. They are mothers who are practicing innovative science experiments to perform in front of discerning students, including their own at The Shri Ram School, Aravalli.

“Mad About Science” is a unique initiative of The Shri Ram School to strengthen the bond between the school, its children and parents.  Over 200 parents have spent over 3 hours every day along with the school to conceptualize the project.

“We believe that education is a parent-teacher partnership” says, Manika Sharma, the Junior School Principal at The Shri Ram School, Aravali.

Understanding science using commonly available stuff from home is the objective of “Mad About Science”.  The month long project will have parents performing experiments inside the classroom.

 “ The idea is to demystify science by linking it to everyday life.  We want children to learn science the fun way” says Mark Parkinson, Director, The Shri Ram School Aravali.

The thought of having parents in the classroom performing experiments along with their teachers has created a buzz of excitement among the students. “I thought my mother was scared of spiders”, says Aryaman  Sharda, a student of class 3, “ but now she is collecting and breeding them all over our house in order to bring them to the classroom.”

For parents, the event is a revelation. “I always wanted an insight into how my children behaved in school” says, Parul Ohri, who is participating in Mad About Science.

“Parents will now continue to experiment with their children at home, thus building on their curiosity to learn more about things around them,” says Ms Manju Bharat Ram, Chairperson TSRS.

Media is invited on the following days of the month long programme:

November 21^st, 2011:  Time 10:00am to 12:30pm

Parents introduce different concepts of science the school has chosen for each class through fun and innovative ways. For example Class II parents whose topic is Body Part and Senses will introduce the topic to the kids through a skit dressed up as the brain, eyes, nose etc. and reinforce the same with experiments like Measuring the Capacity of your lungs with the help of Balloons.

December 5^th, 2011:

Parents will perform in classes once again but this time they will reinforce their topics further through hands on learning.

December 18^th, 2011:

The Grand Finale: A day-long event where each class gets to exhibit their best experiments or learning to the whole school community in a Carnival Atmosphere.

Science Exhibits by Students and Parents from PV to Form VII

Special Invitees – Robotics, Science Films, IIT Delhi, Met Department, etc.

Fun Stuff – Painting Competition, Segaways, Planetarium, Hands on Activities, etc.

Contact persons:

Neelima Gurpreet Singh

0124-4784300, 9811244555

neelima.singh@tsrs.org

Vimala Rajkumari

9650012959

vimalarajkumari@gmail.com