Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110254910600.htm

Front Page

Tapping scientific potential of students

Staff Reporter

Science City workshop physically challenged students

Photo: M.Karunakaran

Participants at a workshop on science and technology for physically challenged in progress at Science City in Chennai on Friday. —

CHENNAI: As 77 physically challenged students watched the seemingly magical breaking into pieces of a rubber ball after immersion into a magic liquid by T.S. Natarajan, professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, the queries they raised demonstrated that the science behind it had kindled their scientific temper.

“When a rubber ball is immersed in liquid nitrogen, it breaks into pieces instead of bouncing. This is because rubber being a naturally occurring polymer becomes a glass when cooled below the glass transition temperature,” Mr. Natarajan told the students participating in a workshop organised by the Science City.

“This is part of the initiative of the Science City towards promotion and popularisation of science among students, particularly the physically challenged. We have conducted three such workshops this year,” said T.S. Sridhar, Vice Chairman of Science City.

“We will conduct another workshop on science and technology for visually impaired students by the end of this year,” he said.

“The Science City and the scientific institutions in its vicinity have several cutting-edge scientific equipment. This is the best place to inspire the physically challenged students,” said Mr. Sridhar.

Science City, an autonomous organisation under the Department of Higher Education, has been carrying out many activities such as organising science lectures, science camps, science festivals and seminars.

K. Srinivasan, affected by cerebral palsy and student of Standard XII of Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu, said that he wanted to become a businessman. “My interest in science and technology has increased after attending this workshop,” he said.

“We spot the talent of our students and make them contribute to society like all individuals,” said R. Sheela Lakshmi, Principal, Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu.

“The physically challenged students too can contribute to science like Stephen Hawking,” said Mr. Natarajan. The workshop had a lecture on environmental science by Sultan Ahmed Ismail, founder of Eco Science Research Foundation and on Mathematics by Meena Suresh, Senior Principal, Kavi Bharati Vidyalaya. A personality development programme was conducted by C. Satish, director, Mithra Leadership Mandram.