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A workshop to equip teachers to guide students better for the Children Science Congress
A day long workshop for teachers was organised by the Pondicherry Science Forum (PSF) in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education to equip teachers to help students execute their science projects in the run up to the National Children Science Congress.
On Monday there was a coaching of a different kind; where teachers were taught, for a change. Nearly 120 teachers gathered at the Directorate of School Education for the day long workshop to get trained in guiding students on science projects.
This session was organised by the Pondicherry Science Forum (PSF), which has been organising the National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) for the past 23 years in collaboration with the State Training Centre, Directorate of School Education.
Teachers of government and private schools from middle to higher secondary sections can benefit by participating in this programme.
This programme is conducted under the aegis of National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and is carried out all over India. This programme sees participation by almost 1 million children every year.
A. Hemavathi, General Secretary, PSF, provided insights into the programme and how it equips teachers with the necessary skill and scientific aptitude to help students execute their science projects. The programme follows a decentralisation approach where the district level science congress will be held in October where nearly 30 projects would be selected. Out of the shortlisted 30 projects, at least 16 projects would contest at the State Level Science Congress. Of this, only one or two projects would make it to the national level.
It may be noted that the programme requires teachers to guide teams of child scientists between the ages of 10 and 17 years to do mini research projects under a focal theme which is relevant to the school or residential neighbourhood.
Focal theme 2016
The focal theme for NCSC 2016 is ‘Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development’ by Government of India. The programme held in Pondicherry worked to orient the guide teachers towards this focal theme.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Director of School Education, L. Kumar.
Image courtesy: NCSC