Jamshedpur: CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur organised Scientists & Science Teachers Conclave (SSTC) on the topic Visualising Science on a virtual platform. The main objective of this online event was to create innovative content for teaching science to school students and also to encourage students to learn science with fun and creativity.
The virtual program started with a video show on CSIR-NML’s glorious journey in the past seven decades. Welcome address was delivered by Dr. Indranil Chattoraj, Director, NML. In his address he urged the teachers to bring in new concepts of science teaching and be the ambassadors to the students and the society in general.
This was followed by a technical presentation by Dr. Mita Tarafder, Chief Scientist of NML on ‘Visualizing Science through CSIR’s Virtual Lab initiative’. The concept of Virtual Lab (VL) has come as a recommendation from CSIR Society chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The objective of VL is to arouse curiosity for science among students and it is believed that the concept of Virtual Lab will help take science to the village level and attract more students towards science. The deliverables of this project are creative teaching ideas by using various tools and techniques through games, videos, dramatics, quiz and comics. The curriculum will include a ‘2-minutes-talk’ session for women scientists who will tell stories about career opportunities in STEM. Students will be encouraged to develop innovative tools and devices based on scientific concepts.
Three parallel sessions Visualizing Physics, Visualizing Chemistry and Visualizing Maths were organized which were chaired by Dr. S Sivaprasad Chief Scientist, Dr. S Chakravarty Senior Principal Scientist and Dr. Mita Tarafder Chief Scientist of NML respectively. These sessions were aimed to have focused group discussions to capture ideas and suggestions from school teachers for creating a road map to develop content for students and also to understand the support and guidance expected from the scientists of NML. This was then followed by two technical presentations by Dr Sivaprasad and Dr AK Mohanty, Principal Scientist of NML. The speakers mentioned the problems currently being faced by teachers to make small kids sit for the online classes and presented the idea of creating a students’ corner to simulate scientific experiments remotely.
The question and answer session received very good responses from the participants. This virtual program was attended by more than 100 teachers, students, scientists and professionals. Mr. Sudip Kundu, Sr. Scientists of NML extended a vote of thanks and appreciated all organisers for conducting the event successfully.