Role of Science-Teachers in Changing Times

The role of teachers has undergone a paradigm shift in new millennium. Apart from imparting education which is the primary duty, a teacher has to be instrumental in talent search and nurture activities. Great visionary like Homi Bhabha and PC Mahalnobis had a knack of picking and nurturing talent. Due to growth in education, these days organized talent search and nurture activities are undertaken. These activities are designed to enable students and institutions to measure themselves against a national standard. One of the most prestigious talent search exam, the Olympiads train the students to tackle any entrance exam of high calibre. Stakeholders in education from valley are aware of many of these talent search and nurture programs but they are probably not aware of all the benefits of such exams. All secondary and senior secondary school teachers should take pro active role in conduct of such exams. The teachers who get these exams conducted should be felicitated.
With changing times the paradigm of education is also changing. These days students have more options / distractions than they had earlier. So, to keep them motivated one has to be innovative. There has been a sea-change in pedagogy. The chalk-and-talk method is now passé. Learning through activities is the “buzz” word. Teachers may help their students in opening science clubs and affiliating their clubs to VIPNET of Vigyan Prasar. Petroleum Conservation Research Association also encourages formation of clubs at school level and conducting small projects on energy conservation.
National Children Science Congress is held annually during last week of December.  Teachers should take pro active role in preparing group of students for participation in the Congress. They may also take initiative in organizing district and state level Congress.
Another important role of a teacher is science communication and extension activities. The teachers may organize National Science day, Renewable Energy Day and Energy Conservation days etc. at school level. These days a plethora of lucrative opportunities have emerged after higher secondary which makes students confused about their career options. It is teacher’s duty to help students in making right career choices.
Teachers may become members of professional organizations for lifelong skill enhancement. More specifically teachers may join  Indian Association for Physics Teachers, Association of Mathematics Teachers of India or Indian Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences for keeping abreast with latest happenings in their field.  All these associations regularly send their bulletins and journals to life members.

THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS (IAPT)
It was established in the year 1984 by the great visionary, (Late) Dr. D. P. Khandelwal, with active support from some Physics teachers, with the aim of upgrading the quality of Physics teaching and Physics teachers at all levels. It has now grown into a major organisation with about 5000 life members spread  throughout the country. The members include school, college, university teachers, research workers, science administrators and science savvy enthusiasts. For its grass root working, the country is divided into 20 regions, each with a regional council. The apex executive council, co-ordinates and directs the effort at the national level. The flagship activity of IAPT is conduct of National Standard Examination in Sciences and National Graduate Exam in Physics.

ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS OF INDIA (AMTI)
This association was started in 1965 for promotion of efforts to improve Mathematics education at all levels. Its major aims are to assist school teachers to improve their expert and professional skills, spot and foster mathematical talents, organize orientation courses, summer courses and workshops for teachers and talented students. A national conference is held annually in different parts of the country for teachers to meet and deliberate on important issues of mathematics education. It also holds “Inter State Mathematical Talent Search Competition”  annually. “The Mathematics Teacher” is the official journal of the AMTI.

THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF CHEMISTRY TEACHERS (IACT)
This association was founded in 2000, serves as an academic forum for the interaction between Chemistry educators from all over the country. The prime objectives of IACT include Advancement of Chemistry Education by means of Curriculum development and innovations in teaching methodology and evaluation methods. IACT spearheads organization of Chemistry workshop and symposia in different parts of the country including an annual National Convention of Chemistry Teachers. It also helps in exploring and nurturing talent in chemistry with special reference to the National and International Olympiad. Liaison with industry and National level research institutions for mutual benefit is felicitated by IACT.

INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (IATBS)
This association was founded in line of IAPT for conduct of National Standard Examination in Biology and promotion of Biology education at all levels.
Open and distance learning and online learning system has also provided in service teachers ample opportunities for continuing education and growing professionally. Teachers can continue their education from anywhere and anytime. There are Distance Education Council (DEC) recognized universities which offer, certificate, diploma, degree and research level courses in science disciplines. Science teachers can utilize this opportunity for up-gradation of their knowledge and intellectual growth.

SOME ONLINE COURSE FOR TEACHERS
‘International Diploma in Guidance and Counselling’ offered at five Regional Institutes of Education as well as NCERT Delhi. The intake capacity of each centre is 50.
‘Appreciation Programme on Sustainability Science’ offered by Chair of Sustainable Development, IGNOU.  The admission is open throughout the year.

TEACHER’S CONFERENCE
 National Teachers s’ Science Congress is being organized biennially by NCSTC Network of Department of Science and Technology. It provides a forum to teachers of the country to enhance their level of scientific career.  

Many Species ! One Planet ! One Future !

This is the theme of current year’s World Environment Day celebrations. The idea commensurates with the theme of International Year of Biodiversity. World Environment Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment.
World Environment Day(WED) is designed to promote environmental issues to become active agents of sustainable development. Due to gravity of the situation several days, years and even decade are celebrated to sensitize the stakeholders. United Nations declared the period from 2005-2014 as the decade of education for sustainable development. The present year is being observed as the International year of Biodiversity. A sustained effort like this bears positive impacts. People are now more aware and sensitive towards environmental issues and challenges.
 World Environment Day is hosted by a different location each year. Rwanda is hosting WED 2010. Biodiversity is the variation of life forms on the Earth. The biodiversity found on Earth today consists of many millions of distinct biological species. Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth, but is consistently rich in the tropics and in specific localized regions such as the Cape Floristic Province. It is less rich in polar-regions where fewer species are found.
Biodiversity supports a number of natural ecosystem processes and services. Some ecosystem services that benefit society are air quality, climate (CO2 sequestration), water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion. Biodiversity provides many ecosystem services that are often not readily visible. It plays a part in regulating the chemistry of our atmosphere and water supply. It is directly involved in water purification, recycling nutrients and providing fertile soils.
Experiments with controlled environments have shown that humans cannot easily build ecosystems to support human needs; for example insect pollination cannot be mimicked by human-made construction, and that activity alone represents tens of billions of dollars in ecosystem services per year to humankind. The stability of ecosystems is also related to biodiversity, with higher biodiversity producing greater stability over time. This reduces the chance that ecosystem services will be disrupted as a result of disturbances such as extreme weather events or human exploitation.

Since the stone-age, species loss has been accelerated above the geological rate by human activities. The rate of species extinction is difficult to estimate, but it has been estimated that species are now being lost at a rate approximately 100 times as fast as is typical in the geological record. A total of 17,291 species are known to be threatened with extinction – from little-known plants and insects to charismatic birds and mammals. Many species disappear before they are even discovered.
 Humans are among only a handful of species whose populations are growing, while most animals and plants are becoming rarer and fewer. To feed a large population, more and more land is being transformed from wildlife into agricultural, mining, lumbering, and urban areas for humans. As a result, we are increasingly risking the loss of the very foundation of our own survival.
The variety of life on our planet – known as ‘biodiversity’ – gives us our food, clothes, fuel, medicine and much, much more. You may not think that a beetle in your backyard or grass growing by the roadside has a fundamental connection to you - but it does. When even one species is taken out of the intricate web of life, the results can be catastrophic.
The theme of WED 2010 echoes the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet.  A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together can we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
Let us drive this point home that Nature is capable of taking care of itself. Going by the history of earth we know that Nature may help in evolution and nurture of new species in new circumstances. It is the survival of Homo sapiens that is at stake.
 The consequences of present environmental crisis could be anything from a decline in biodiversity, proliferation of opportunistic species such as pests and weeds. Novel species may also emerge. However, no new species of existing large vertebrae are likely to arise and food chains will likely be shorter.
 Through WED, we can employ our individual and collective power to stem the tide of extinction. Our conservation action has brought some species back from the brink, and has restored some vital natural habitats around the world.
Let us resolve to do much more, and much faster, to win the race against extinction!

Active learning through Science Museums

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru had once opined ‘In formative period of childhood and youth it is essential that people should come to museums and learn. Their minds will be affected by the objects which they see there. I should like this aspect of education through museums to be developed’.  Pandit Nehru was a staunch promoter of learning science through museums and planetariums. He was instrumental in setting of several science museums. That is why Mumbai’s science centre is named after him. 

Much of the science we read in book is hard to imagine.  Imagining atomic structure, DNA  structure, tetrahederal carbon molecules, nuclear reactors, volcanoes, earthquakes etc. requires very fertile and creative minds. Science museums and centres help in constructing complex ideas and explaining them through working models. The first science museum was the Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Museum of Natural Science) in Madrid Spain. It was opened in 1752.  Exhibits of science museums are unique resources for non formal education.  Science museums generally display  models related to physics, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, biology, health sciences, agriculture, geology, paleontology, Information technology, space technology, industry and industrial development etc. Generally the exhibits belong to three categories- passive, active and interactive. Passive exhibits include artifacts, graphics and  other visuals. Active exhibits can be operated by visitors with mechanical drive. Interactive exhibits are those which are operated by visitors on their own choice involving multiplicity of options. Nowadays science museums mostly try  to develop interactive exhibits based on problem solving approach.    The main aim of science museums is to popularize science. These days science museums have become centres of entertainment and amusement apart from being a place of learning.   Many science centres have a big park with outdoor exhibits like multi cycle, swings and seesaw which children enjoy a lot.  Many science centres organize summer camps for students and teachers. The centres often observe days like World Environment day, Earth day, National Science day. On these days they invite children from schools and organize popular talks and quizzes etc. Museum shops provide science instruments, science toys and books which the visitor can buy as memorabilia.

There are science museums in almost all state except Jammu and Kashmir. National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is an autonomous scientific and research organization under Ministry of Culture. NCSM has established about more than two dozen science museums, science centres, science cities and Planetaria at various locations throughout country. Moreover it also operates 22 mobile science exhibition units. The galleries of all science museums are changed every two to three years. The NCSM also arranges mobile galleries moving from place to place and giving information about scientific inventions and discoveries. Last month Science Express a specially designed train with 16 coaches full of science and technology exhibits reached Jammu station. The train had originated from Vikram A. Sarabhai Community science centre Ahmedabad. The response of common people and students was overwhelming. However the districts of the state which were not connected by railway missed this golden opportunity of learning with fun.  NCSM could have arranged museobuses for Kashmir division.

NCSM has started a four semester M.S. course in Science Communication from 2005. NCSM’s MS course is meant for first class engineering graduates and science post graduates. Course contents include history and philosophy of science, mass communication, exhibit presentation and museum management. Course also includes the tools of Science Communication and writing scientific articles. The final content of the course is a dissertation. This program is conducted in joint collaboration of NCSM and BITS, Pilani on an off campus mode. The lectures and tutorials are held at NCSM, Kolkata. NCSM also offers a total of 5 fellowships of amount Rs 5000/- per month with annual book grant. Jammu and Kashmir desperately needs science museums and science communicators. Government should open museums, science museums, energy and technology parks in all districts of the country. A lot of entrepreneurial opportunity exists in this field as demand of exhibits is growing. One can design and supply models and exhibits to upcoming science centres.

Higher Education Options for Engineering Graduates

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination administered and conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. GATE is conducted through the constitution of eight zones.

Admission to postgraduate programmes with MHRD and some other government scholarship or assistantship at engineering colleges in the country is based on GATE. GATE qualified candidates with Bachelor's degree in Engineering,  Technology and Architecture are eligible for Master programmes in these disciplines.  GATE qualified candidates are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR sponsored projects. Some government organizations prescribe GATE qualification as a requirement for applying to the post of a Scientist / Engineer. Validity of GATE score is for one year.

GATE is conducted throughout India in 147 cities. It is conducted in the following engineering disciplines: Aerospace Engg., Aeronautical Engg., Agricultural Engg., Applied Mechanics, Architecture, Planning Automobile Engg, Biochemical Engg., Biomedical Engg., Biotechnology, Ceramic & Glass Technology, Chemical Engg., Chemical Technology, Civil/Civil & Environmental/Structural Engg., Computer Science & Engg./Technology, Control and Instrumentation, Electrical Engg., Electro-Chemical Engg., Electronics & Comm./Electronics Engg./Comm. Engg./Telecommunication Engg., Energy Engg., Environmental Engg., Food Technology/Food Processing Engg., Industrial Engg., Industrial Management, Information Technology, Instrumentation/ Electronics/Control Instrumentation & Process Control, Manufacturing Engg., Mechanical Engg., Mechatronics, Medical Instrumentation, Metallurgical Engg., Mineral Engg./Mineral Dressing, Mining Engg./Technology, Mining & Machinery, Naval Architecture/Marine Engg., Oil Technology, Paint Technology, Petro-Chemical Engg., Petroleum Engg./Technology, Plastic Technology, Polymer Technology/Science, Production Engg./Production & Management, Production & Industrial Engg., Rubber Technology, Textile Engineering & Fibre Science.

Joint Management Entrance Test JMET:  It is held around mid December for two year full time post graduate programme in management. Currently IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee offer Programmes in Management. Some NITs also use JMET merit list for admission to their management programmes.

Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is conducted annually throughout India at several centres  for admissions to doctoral programme in physics in various premier research institutes. Certain courses and opportunities in these premier institutes are now being offered to those who have a degree in engineering and technology but have an aptitude for scientific research.

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai,  National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) Pune, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Pune, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Ahmedabad, Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bangalore, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) Mumbai, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata and Aryabhatta Research Institute of  Observational Sciences (ARIES) Nainital are among the institutes which admit scholars through JEST.

One year Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Post-Graduates  (OCES) conducted at BARC Training Schools. Successful Trainees will be posted  as scientific officers in one of the following DAE units: 

a) Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration & Research (AMDER), Hyderabad
b) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC),Mumbai
c) Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), Kalpakkam
d) Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai
e) Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore
f) Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai
g) Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam
h) Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad
i) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), Mumbai
j) Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.

Successful completion of course work at the Training School will entitle trainees to Post-Graduate Diploma of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a Deemed University. This could also earn them credits towards M.Tech/M.Phil/Ph.D of HBNI provided their performance is above a specified threshold.

Two-year DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme for Engineering Graduates   (DGFS). Under this scheme, Engineering Graduates and Physics Post-Graduates who are selected for the Training School programme and who also have secured admission for M.Tech. in an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)  are paid stipend and tuition fee to study for M.Tech. degree. After successful completion of one-year course work at IIT, fellows undertake project work, which is assigned and supervised jointly by a DAE and an IIT guide. On successful completion of M.Tech., they are posted as Scientific Officers in DAE. The DGFS fellows are enrolled and posted in one of the following units of DAE:

a)      BARC, Mumbai b) RRCAT, Indore c) IGCAR, Kalpakkam d) NPCIL, Mumbai .

Selection to OCES/DGFS is a two-step process: screening to short-list candidates followed by interview of the short-listed candidates. 

Screening for the Engineering disciplines is based on two alternative methods:

(a) Cut-off GATE Score is 340 or more for short-listing candidates for interview.

(b) Written Test: It is conducted in each of the seven Engineering disciplines of Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, computer, Instrumentation, Engineering physics, and food technology for short-listing candidates for interview.  The written test is held in May.

National Certification Examination for Energy Manager/Energy Auditor

Any post graduate, graduate or diploma engineer can sit for National Certification Examination being conducted annually for Energy Manager by National Productivity Council under the aegis of Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The minimum qualification for appearing in Energy Auditor examination is a graduate or post graduate degree in engineering.

National Doctoral Fellowship

The All India Council for Technical Education, (AICTE) has introduced National Doctoral Fellowship Scheme from 2002-2003.  Under this scheme Fifty (50) Doctoral Fellowships are offered every year to selected candidates in emerging areas / disciplines of Technical Education by AICTE to pursue Doctoral programme.

Early Faculty Induction Program

This program aims at attracting bright young students in AICTE approved institutions to take teaching  as their career.