Hands on science

Hands-on science refers to interactive science which is fun to watch, perform and learn. Hands-on science movement has now gained momentum in India. It started with ‘Quest’ programme on Doordarshan in early eighties by Mr. Samar K. Bagchi. These days several practitioners of Hands on activities are using their talent to educate and entertain students throughout India. Notable among them are HC Verma, BN Das, Suresh Agarwal and Arvind Gupta. Moreover Septuagenarian SK Bagchi is still active. These educationists travel throughout India and conduct workshops, give stage shows and organize science melas. These days getting resource on learning science through hands on activities has become easy due the effort of these pioneers. Every school going child must have a copy of ‘Hands on’ by Arvind Gupta. Hands-on is a collection of some interesting activities, geometry by paper folding, toys, tangrams, pumps, caps, experiments, simple science models etc.  Making patterns out of tangrams, seeds, stones, thumbprints apart from being fun are deeply creative and satisfying activities.  Film-roll cans, mineral water bottles, rubber slippers, crown caps make lovely action toys. Samar Bagchi’s book based on his telivsion programme is also available in the market. NCSTC network has published ‘Head and Hands: activity guide for science clubs’ which is a collection of activities in several areas including Origami and Astronomy. Origami is a wonderful way to learn practical geometry and Algebra. Two books on Origami one by VSS Sastry and the other by Arvind Keskar is available in Indian market.  These books serve as manual for developing teaching aids in mathematics. Several CDs on hands on science are also available. The CD prepared by HC Verma on Hands on activities in Physics is marketed by Vigyanprasar whereas CD prepared by Suresh Agarwal on hands on science is being made available on contacting the author. The web site www.sci-toys.com  and arvindguptatoys.com will be helpful in learning hands on science.   These two sites provide instructions of making many no cost low cost science models, toys and demonstrations.

These days NCERT books on experiments carry ideas on demonstrations, projects and activities. Teaching –learning has now become a collaborative effort between students and teachers. Teachers may guide their students in opening science clubs and affiliating their clubs to VIPNET of Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) also encourages formation of clubs at school level and conducting small projects on energy conservation. Science Clubs in India have a large network and infrastructure. These clubs are provided with outreach materials like posters, CDs and activity kits. Several activity kits such as on Astronomy, biodiversity, earth quake and Weather are marketed by Vigyanprasar. Teachers and students may collaborate in producing exhibition modules in several areas including history of science, low cost experimentation, science -technology - society issues, gender issues, health education, mathematics and astronomy. Exhibition modules are great resources of informal learning. They may  be displayed to public on important occasion such as National science day, Technology day, Teachers day, Renewable Energy Day and Children day etc.