The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Taking science beyond the classroom

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Taking science beyond the classroom

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, NOV. 7 The St. John's Foundation for Science and Technology, aimed at extending the learning of science beyond the limits of a classroom, was inaugurated on Saturday.

At a function here, the former Vice-Chancellor, Anna University, M. Anandakrishnan, lauded the "unique initiative," saying corporates such as Infosys and Wipro had established educational foundations, but this was the first time a school had launched such a venture.

"We don't think of research for school students as having greater significance than for M.Phil.s and Ph.D.s. But the foundations for science must be laid from Kindergarten and Class I," he told a gathering of teachers.

Holistic approach

A holistic approach to science would go a long way in stimulating children to think. "Take natural phenomena such as hurricanes or cyclones or earthquakes. Discuss them in terms of all kinds of science at work instead of restricting it to just physics or chemistry," he said.

The Dean of St. John's International School, R. Kishore Kumar, said the objective of the foundation, dedicated to aspiring young scientists of the country, was to bring together groups of students interested in science.

The membership is open to students, science teachers, scientists, schools, colleges and institutions. Dr. Kishore Kumar said the foundation would work to motivate young minds and assist in the development of non-academic abilities not emphasised in schools but important for adult success. It aims at bringing out responses that examinations and tests did not elicit; going into the depths of a subject; helping students perform better and sparking an interest in the formal science curriculum and providing realistic career guidance.

Also present were the chairman of the St. John's Educational Trust, G. Rajkumar, and the executive director of the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, P. Iyamperumal. The inaugural function was followed by sessions by various experts on connecting science with day-to-day activities.

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