The sports event was largely sponsored by wealthy villagers and local
elected members apart from the foundation. For example afternoon food
was arranged by the owner of the cinima theatre of that village and more
than 600 children part took of the food. About 50 teachers and social
workers joined with children for food. The Shamiyana was sponsored by
another villager, the rent for the mike-set was born by yet another
village head. For inaugural ceremony and validectory ceremony number of
parents and village leders were involved. Block Education Officer and
Inspectors of the school were also involved. Number of Grama
Panchayath members participated in the event and requested that such sports
event should be conducted every year and they will sponsor. One Mr.
Rajashekhar an elected Director of Milk Co-operative Society was among many
who distributed prizes for the winners. About 110 prizes were
distributed to children. We bought geometry boxes and stainless steel lunch
boxes for children as prizes, these are useful to children. Mr.
Rajashekhar was deeply impressed by the programme and said that he will release
Rs. 5000/- from his Milk Co-operative society and he requested that the
schools of his choice may be furnished with required equipments of
sports and science.
All the children were happy to receive prizes. The villagers were
excited to witness the childrens' game and there was a festival mode in the
entire village. Time to time announcement of winners was conducted by
Mr. Nemiraju. Number of photographers hired by the parents or teachers
were also on the site and they took lot of photographs.
Mr. Ananth was pleased by the work going on.
Prof. Baluragi, Director for Science Technology visited Deena Bandhu
and stayed with us from 18th Dec. to 23rd Dec.2001. He has won a
prestigious National award for his innovative work and developing low cost
science equipment and popularisation of science in rural areas. He is the
consultant to the proposed "Science City" at Kapurthal (North India)
which is being built at a cost of 70 crose rupees (Rs. 700 Million).
On 19th and 20th Dec. social workers of the Vivek-Asha Project were
given intense training in science teaching at primary schhol, specially
for 4th to 7th standard. In primary schools there are no exclusive
science teachers. All teachers should be able to teach science. Our seven
social workers had a very nice time with Prof. Baluragi and they learnt
to develop a variety of teaching aids just by the use of card board
sheets and such materials.
Prof. Baluragi was recieved at Bangalore by Sri. G.S. Jayadev, both of
them purchased a lot of material required to develop science
experiment. Variety of lense and mirrors were purchased. Also a lot of card
board sheets,glues were purchased and all that was transported to
Chamarajanagar.
Apart from training our social workers, a science teaching workshop was
organised on 22nd Dec.(Saturday). About 50 primary school teachers
attended the workshop. Following simple teaching aids were prepared:
Prof. Baluragi has also given number of very good photographs of the
planets of solar system. Rotating indicator of card board plates that
show the pattern of the night sky during different months.
All the teachers felt that the workshop was very special and they did
not attend such workshop earlier.
DDPI and other authorities of the Education Department attended the
workshop. Block Education Officer of the Kollegal Taluk is repeatedly
implored that her area also should be covered under Vivek-Asha Scheme.
We expressed our inability to cover it this year. All the teachers are
now eager to attend the value education workshop going to be held on
31st Dec.2001 & 1st Jan 2002. I will send the report after the workshop.
During the field visits our social workers had a open talk with
teachers. Most of science teachers expressed their inability to handle
science and mathematics classes and there has been a change in the syllabus
recently including few difficult chapters. Moreover science teaching
was totally devoid of experimnts. Each school was given a box full of
science equipments which is not used even once; probabally teacers have
not understood the basic scientific principle behing the experiments.
Some teacher complained that they were never exposed to newer subjects
recently included in 7th standard text books.
To compensate this deficiency a worskhop was conducted at Deena Bandhu.
Prof. D.R. Baluragi, Ex-Director, Science Centre, Belgaum and Dr.
Gurumurthy M.Sc., M.Ed., of Ramakrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual
Education (B.Ed College) were involved as resource persons.
Workshop was held on 14th Oct. 2001, Sunday. About 100 science
teachers from 50 schools assembled at 10-00 A.M., at Deena Bandhu, lunch and
tea was arranged at Deena Bandhu. Mr. Dunddu Madappa B.Sc., B.Ed.,
Inspector of schools was also with us. A lot of piror preparation was
made by social workers for the workshop. They collected 2,3 box full of
science equipments given to schools. Fresh chemicals were purchased to
demonstrate chemistry experiments. Added to this Prof. G.S. Jayadev
borrowed number of laboratory equipments from J.s.s. College to
demonstrate experiments in physics and chemistry. All the equipments were
displayed at the workshop. Prof. D.R. Baluragi also brought some of his own
equipments. One of the equipment was to demonstrate light experiments.
It was frabricated by his and for this instrument he won National award
in science teaching. Dr. Gurumurthy brought few instruments
frabricated by trainees at his college, they were also very useful to demonstrate
some experiments on light.
Basic concepts of science regarding measurements, light etc., were
explained to the teachers. Prof. D.R. Baluragi also demonstrated as how a
concave mirror is used by magicians to create illusion.
Chemitry experiments with litmus paper were demonstrated by Prof. G.S.
Jayadev. The concept of acid and base ws explained to them. Magnesium
wire was brunt and oxides of metals and their properities explained to
them.
Dr. Gurumurthy demonstrated the use of slide caliperse and screw gage.
The physical balance was also demonstrated. The microscope and its
magnification power was demonstrated. All teachers activiely bedated and
clarified their doubts. At the same time they all requested that this
workshop may be repeated for smaller number of teachers with more
instense participation of teachers themselves. Dr. Gurumurthy specifically
invited questions from the teachers related to their difficulty in
teaching. The teachers asked number of questions which was answered and
related experiments were also demonstrated.
After the workshop Prof. D.R. Baluragi had a meeting with social
workers and discussed about continuation of the programme of science teaching
training for primary school teachers; since he retired recently he has
volunteered himself to join us for a more elabrated and meaningful
programme. He will join us during the last week of Nov. 2001 and will
spend about a month. During his stay we propose to develop several models
and kits about science teaching with his help. After the workshop he
also demonstrated to social workers as how different models of
geometrical shapes can be prepared with match sticks and rubber tubes.
In association with Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore we have planned value
education programme for all the teachers of adopted schools. Swamiji
Atmavidanandaji, President, Ramakrishna Institue of Moral and Spiritual
Education has offered to give two days of orientation course at the
RIMSE premises. They have developed a CD on personality development and
definite package for the course. The teachers will also get some course
materials and Monks and professors in the field will handle sessions.
Report on Science Workshop, Viveka Asha Yojane
REPORT ABOUT THE SPORTS MEET AND VISIT OF SRI. ANANTH CHIKKATUR AND
SCIENCE WORKSHOP NO.2
SPORTS MEET:
I am delighted to report to you about inter-school sports competition
organised by Viveka Asha project of Vivekananda Foundation. It was held
on 14.12.2001 at a school in a village called Chandakavadi (Dr.
Annamalai visited this school for a teachers' workshop on environment).
Children of about 8 schools participated in the programme and number of P.T.
teacers organised and carried out a spots competition. Kabadi, kho kho
were the important games of the competition. 100 Mts and 400 Mts
running race, long jump and high jump and other althetic items were
organised. I could see that the girls' participation was quite conspicuous. It
looks that more than 50% of prizes are bagged by girls.
VISIT OF MR. ANANTH CHIKKATUR
Mr. Ananth, volunteer, Asha for Education, visited our project on
13.12.2001. We were delighted to receive him along with Mr. Nanjappa,
Bharth Cancer Hospital. Mr. Ananth spent his time discussing with social
workers. Later on he visited few government schools. He had discussion
with teachers and head masters.
REPORT OF SCIENCE WORKSHOP NO.2
1. Flexigon:
This is a thick sheet of paper on which simple pictures are drawn. The
paper is cut and pasted into cylinder. It rotates on its own central
axis and intrigues children. Themes like food chain, water cycle and
evolution are developed on them. Apart from science it is also helpful in
skill development in children.
2. Telescope Microscope:
Low cost lenses and card board sheets are used to prepare a telescope
and micrscope. Teachers are taught the basic principles of optics and
principal behind telescope and microscope. Such telescope is prepared
at a costs not more than Rs.40/-
3. Models of human body:
Prof. Baluragi is also the founder member of "Karnataka Rajyavignana
Parishath". He developed number of low cost card sheet models of human
body which is a 3 dimentional teaching aid.
4. Mathemaical teaching with teaching aids:
He demonstrated how mathematics specially the geomatry and algebra can
be taught lucidly with models. He demonstrated the properities of a
triangle, square etc. Areas of different shapes including the circle.
FUTURE PROGRAMME:
Value Education
Children's Festival:
On a trial basis we have planned for a ‘ CHENNARAMELA’ meaning festival
of children in one of the area of our operation. The purpose of this
mela is to bring children together under a cultural event. The mela
will also have science exhibition, progressive social messages with regard
to drinking water, toilets, p[lastic etc. We also propose to have
sports competition and fancy dress drama etc. As for as possible we try to
focus on children and parent participation. We hope to boost the
self-image of the children by providing them an opportunity to express their
creative ability. Teachers will also be involved at large.
Environmental Workshop:
An environmental workshop by Prof. G.S. Jayadev is completed in all
areas of operation. The next series of workshop by Prof. G.S. Jayadev
will be on child psychology and importance of self-image.