PROCEEDINGS--A BRIEF REPORT
INAUGURATION An Inservice Orientation Programme for TGT (Sc) based on the theme- CREATIVITY AND SCIENCE EDUCATION held at Cambridge Foundation Senior Secondary School, New Delhi was formally inaugurat- ed on 31st may, 1993 by Shri Y.P. Purang, Deputy Director of Education (Distt.-West), Directorate of Education, Delhi, who is also a member of the Governing Body and other Committees of the Board.
According to Shri Purang, `Teaching of science is concerned with learning based on reasoning and logic. It is something which answers our inquisitions related to `Why' and `How'; it is the knowledge based on experimentations, observations and inferences which prompt man to explore the myths and mysteries of this universe.'
Shri Purang, emphasising the need of inclusion of science in our school curriculum, further added. It is never desired that the students should pick up bookish knowledge and cram it. Rather, they should observe things and happenings, not only to see it but to study it critically, to reason it out and to verify in order to establish the truth. By teaching science to the students, curiosity, imagination and reasoning ability in them are promoted. It is to help them to learn not only what has been already established but also to think of what can be achieved and established further. It is to encourage them not to follow or imitate others but to be their own selves with every originality and hence be creative.'
`Rapid urbanisation and industrialization in big cities has led to increased pollution which has had a devastating effect on the environmental quality such as depletion of stratospheric ozone. The global warming thus caused will finally lead to melting of polar ice caps submerging the coastal cities. Because of these reasons and to increase the awareness about the causes and effects of the degrading environment and the quality of life, the study of science has become very relevant as a compulsory subject upto secondary stage.'
`When one talk of creativity in reference with science education, he means to discuss two synonymous terms or interrelated terms. Science has little meaning without creativity. Creativity has to do with development of new or original ideas in one's mind. If critical thinking and criticism were not there, the earth would have continued to be flat till date (in our books atleast); if innovations were not there, man could still be living in caves; and if correlations were not there, no Einstein or Kepler or Archimedes would have been able to propound any theory. The originality in ideas leads to new inventions and discoveries.'
`In order to facilitate science learning a scientific attitude has to be developed amongst children who may otherwise be disinterested in class teaching. This can be done by providing practical applications of theoretical facts. By demonstrating the appropriate practical experiments, reasoning can be given to the children which will promote their interests in the subject. Science students, from their elementary stage, should be encouraged for an inquisitive behaviour as to why and how the things are happening. Snubbing these children will snub their upcoming talent which will ultimately reflect their teacher's personality. So the success of teaching science depends on how far the teacher is successful, through his teaching, in inculcating a scientific attitude and respect for scientific values as also enhancing the ability to understand laws and concept so as to make use of those in solving daily-life problems.'
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`Creativity and scientific attitude are to be nurtured and nourished in our class room. It requires complete involvement of the students in the subject, welcoming their ideas, providing them which an intellectual atmosphere - free to do experiments, observe, think, discuss, infer and express.'
`India should produce such students who, with their creative mind, will help the nation to survive in international competition and that can be possible by encouraging and supporting the persons with a creative attitude in the society. It is because of this reason that a country like Japan occupies a very prestigious position in the world, as the Japanees come up with original ideas. That is what creativity is.'
Earlier Shri Raj Verma, Principal of the venue school and Course Director extended a warm welcome to the participants and the learned experts invited. He felt that his institution-the Cambridge Foundation was privileged one while hosting the five-days training programme for the teachers teaching science at secondary level. Shri P.C. Bose, Education Officer (Science), CBSE and Coordinator of the programme gave a brief introductory account of the programme, highlighting its need, objectives and other aspects. The four Resource Persons were formally introduced while about forty participating teachers gave their sell- introduction.
At the end of the inaugural address Shri Brahm Dutt Verma of Cambridge Foundation School gave a vote of thanks. The participants were highly impressed with the motivating ideas of the chief guest.
A BRIEF REPORT- An Inservice Orientation Programme for teachers teaching science in independent schools of Delhi, affiliated to the CBSE was held during 31st May-5th June, 1993 at Cambridge Foundation Sr. Sec. School, Rajouri Garden Extn., New Delhi - 110 027.
The objective of this theme based programme - CREATIVITY AND SCIENCE EDUCATION was to bring in improvement in teaching-learning process by acquainting the teachers with methodology focussed on effective transaction of curriculum rotating round the theme. The strategy of the programme was to have deliberations on relevant topics on Creativity. discussions and participation by teachers followed by pre-set activities. The timings from 9-00 A.M. to 4-00 P.M. though lengthy, the teachers were totally absorbed and enjoyed their 'involvement.
40 teachers of Delhi, who fulfilled the basic requirements, were selected as participants on first-come-first- serve basis. The Principal of the venue school, Shri Raj Verma, was the ex-office Course Director. The school provided all the physical facilities and looked after the administrative aspects. All the science Labs, computer room and the library were available for use. The following were the 'Resource Persons' who rendered their services throughout the programme :
1. Dr. M.N Siddiqi Ex-Education Officer, MCD
Ex-Principal, DIET, SCERT. Principal, Cresent School, Delhi.
2. Sh. B.N. Mehrotra Principal, Guru Nanak School, Delhi-33.
State Awardee.
3. Dr. Najma Siddiqi Reader, CIE, (Deptt. of Education), Delhi University.
4. Sh. S.P. Saxena Principal, Govt. Boys Sr. Sec. School No. 2, Janakpuri, C-
Block, Ex-Sr. Lecturer, DIET, SCERT.
In addition, Dr. Krishna Maitra. Reader, CIE, (Deptt. of Education), Delhi University was invited as a Guest Lecturer. Shri P.C. Bose, Education Officer (Sc.), CBSE was the Programme Co-ordinator. The day-to-day programme was followed as per schedule given in Appendix-A.
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FIRST DAY: In addition to the 40 selected teachers, some additional teachers also reported for Registration, but unfortunately they could not be accommodated.
The programme was formally inaugurated in a brief function by Shri Y.P. Purang, Dy. Director of Edn. (Distt.- West)/Addl. Director, member of the Governing Body and other Committees of the Board.
Dr. Krishna Maitra initiated the deliberation on the topic - "Science Education and Creativity- Concept and Aftributes". There after a number of activities for stimulation of creativity was done under the guidance of Dr. Maitra and Shri S.P. Saxena. Some activities were given as home assignments.
SECOND DAY: The programme started with deliberation on 'Generating Environment for Creativity" by Dr. Najma Siddiqi. She was very successful in creating on environment by initiating some activities -'Lifting the stool.' 'Energy- flow' and 'Food chain & food web'.
In the afternoon Shri B.N. Mehrotra took the topic - "Achievement of Creativity through Investigatory Projects'. The participants worked in groups, opting for different project works. Use of library and science labs were quite apparent.
At the end of the day, the teachers were briefed about the Field Trip explaining its objective. The next day being a holiday for ID, teachers were given a home assignment related to development of work-sheet for Field Trip.
THIRD DAY: All the participants and the Resource Persons assembled at National Science Centre - Conference room. The details of days programme was already chalked out with the centre-authority.
This field trip was quite different from the usual visit to a museum. Here, the teachers worked in group of two and confined themselves to (atleast one) particular exhibit selected/allotted to them. They studied the exhibit thoroughly from all aspects, recorded whatever is relevant and important., They consulted the leaflets or the NSC staff and finally developed a work-sheet for the model. A broad outline of the work-sheet was already discussed with them beforehand.
In the evening, the participants again assembled and discussed five selected work-sheet prepared by them and suggested modifications. They would submit the finalised work-sheet the next-day. There after, the participants took a round of all the Gallaries so as to utilise the time available.
FOURTH DAY: The fourth day started with the topic - 'Creativity and Class Room Activities' - initiated by Dr. M.N. Siddiqi. During the presentation, different activities were discussed and done. It was a successful deliberation to show how class-room activities can entrance creativity.
It was followed by the topic. 'Out of School Programmes for Achieving Creativity' initiated by Shri S.P. Sexena.
In the afternoon, the participants carried on the Project, Lab work and the Work-Sheet.
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FIFTH DAY: The day started with the topic - "Creative use of Waste Materials in Science Education" presented by Shri P.C. Bose. The participants were absorbed in doing activities in which waste materials could be used in teaching science in particular.
Thereafter the participants made preparation for the exhibition to display their various works done as projects, lab works and activities.
Participants, filled in "Questionnaire" in order provide feed-back of the programme.
In the afternoon the Valedictory Function' was held. Smt. Mohinder, Dy. Director of Education (Science), Directorate of Education was the chief guest, who distributed the certificates and Shri S.K. Gangal, Education Officer (Humanities), CBSE presided over the function.
VALEDICTION: The five-days' orientation programme for the teachers ended with the valedictory function held on 5th June, 1993. Mrs. Mohinder, Deputy Director of Education (Science), Directorate of Education, Delhi was the chief guest while Shri S.K. Gangal, Education Officer (Humanities), CBSE presided over the function. Before the proceeding started, the guests made a round of the exhibition where the teachers explained the different exhibits setup by them.
Shri Raj Verma, Course Director and Principal of the school formally welcomed the guests and presented a brief report of the orientation programme. A brief analysis of the 'Participants Questionnaire' was presented by Dr. Najma Siddiqi, On behalf of the participants, Smt. Alka Bajaj and Shri Dhiren Doshi presented their observations.
In his presidential address, Shri S.K. Gangal spoke about the creative faculty of the child in respect to not only science education but other subjects also. He made a special reference to the Board's role in introducing the new English language programme, popularly know as ELT Project, and the related mass orientation programmes for the teachers.
The following is the gist of the valedictory address given by the chief guest - Mrs Mohinder
"Creativity is the other name of innovation. Solving a problem in new situation involves creativity. In science education one encounters often with solving problem of a newer kind and hence creativity is automatically incorporated.
The method of science includes formulation of hypothesis, testing, analysing it and then drawing the conclusions. For testing hypothesis, experiments are conducted to confirm theoretical principles. During the process of experimentation, certain systematic operations are employed in which innovation playes a crucial role. Thus creativity and science are interlinked.
In science education certain values are to be inculcated which include rational and logical thinking, enquiry approach, problem solving and decision making skills. proper coordination of head, heart and hands etc. While learning by doing, all these things are involved and the element of creativity comes into being.
Science teachers have important role in spreading science education among the younger generation. It is the science teachers who inculcate motivation and other values. In order to achieves the desired goals one has to start from grass-root level. Once a child acquires the knack for the creativity, the chief aim of science education is achieved. Therefore. the role of secondary teacher is more important."
The chief guest distributed the certificates to the participants. The programme ended with vote of thanks given by Shri P.C. Bose, the programme Co-ordinator.
It was notable that at the end of the function, each and every participant individually acknowledged the help and cooperation of the Resource Persons, the school authority and CBSE for providing them an opportunity to participants in such a programme.
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