Make STEM fun: Kol-born US prof’s homage to mom

Kolkata: An educational trust, founded by a Kolkata boy who now teaches mathematics at a US varsity, is now making learning science and maths a lot more fun for city school students; the trust, helmed by an alumnus of Presidency College, had its first “experiment” last Thursday with 228 students from seven prominent city schools enthusiastically participating in interactive, experiment-based science classes, enactment of eureka moments of scientific inventions, quizzes, and scientific questioning. It was an unusual sight at the more-than-a-century-old Mitra Institution (Main) near Sealdah on Thursday. There was a role reversal with teachers keenly listening to students giving their perspectives on scientific theories. “The idea behind the ‘Fun Science Classes’ is to make science more attractive and interactive for students chosen based on their interests in science and mathematics,” said Sayantan Das, headmaster of Mitra Institution (Main). “Science often evokes fear, rather than a profound sense of fun, among students. Unless we inculcate fun around mathematics and science, science will be burdensome. Thus, these classes are meant for rekindling their interest in science. This breakaway from the conventional, day-to-day classes, I hope, will be a stepping stone for the true progenies of J C Bose, P C Roy, Satyen Bose, Meghnad Saha, and P C Mohalanabis, or my guru Loknath Debnath,” said Kanad Basu, a Presidency College alumni and professor of practice at Arizona State University. Basu established an educational and charitable trust after his mother, late Mira Basu, to popularise science and reasoning in schools and colleges in Bengal. The students from Taki Boys, Taki Girls, Hindu School, Sanskrit Collegiate School, Mitra Institution (Main), Mitra Institution, Bhowanipore, Victoria Institute, Taltala High School, and Aryaparna School participated in the classes. “We are overwhelmed by the inquisitiveness, pa-ssion, and sparks of brilliance. We need to sustain such exercises,” said Banbihari Patra, vice-president, All India Science Teachers’ Association. “We enjoyed these classes. We saw scientific experiments in front of our eyes. Now, I can easily comprehend some very complex things in the textbooks. I don’t need to memorise texts I hardly understand. I hope many such sessions will come up,” said a class IX student of Taki Girls’ School. Much of the session was devoted to the art of asking questions. “Questions are fundamental to scientific reasoning. To develop this scientific bent of mind, the workshop also encouraged students to ask questions fearlessly. In normal day-to-day classes, for the paucity of time and race to complete the syllabus, students are generally discouraged to raise their points of view,” said Basu, who promised more fun classes at a greater frequency.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.