User:Prawal1984

This is the era of science and Technology where people work on rationality rather than emotion. But there exist many communities and areas where science is yet to make a significant mark. ‘Hands-on-science’ is, thus, an effort towards making science popular and take it to the deep extreme corners of the world. In this effort ASTEC is playing a vital role in educating people of Assam on science and scientific activities. We, as students of mass communication and journalism have tried a humble endeavour to project out the activities associated with ‘hands-on-science’ and the role of ASTEC in performing ‘hands-on-science’ In the recent times ‘hands-on-science’ has become a popular axiom in science communication. Different person of varied fields have given multiple interpretations of the term. However an attempt has been made to provide an operational definition. Precisely, everyone accepts that hands-on science is learning by doing. Hands-on science involves the child in a total experience which enhances the child’s ability to think critically. “Hands-on science is the co-curricular activities initiated to improve knowledge on science” quotes the Headmistress of G.U. Model Eng. Medium School. It is regarded as engaging in in-depth investigation with objects, materials, phenomena and ideas and drawing meaning and understanding from the experiences. Other terms for this are inquiry learning, hands-on and minds-on learning. There are two ways that we find the term hands-on science in common use today. The first uses hands-on science to refer to a general approach to instruction. Hands-on science can be thought of as a philosophy guiding when and how to use the broad range of teaching strategies needed to address diversity in contemporary classrooms. The second way hands-on science is commonly used in terms of a specific instructional strategy where students are actively engaged in manipulating materials, using called a ‘hands-on activity’. The aim of the hands-on science is to contribute to the generalization, innovation and improvement of science and technology teaching at basic vocational training and secondary schools by hands-on experimental practice in the classroom. According to UNESCO, students’ interest in science-related subjects can be increased by using teaching methods that appeal to the curiosity and creativity that characterize all children. In Assam, the autonomous council named Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) under the Department of Science Technology and Environment, Government of Assam is attested with the duty for implementation of all the major programmes concerning hands-on-science. The main objective of ASTEC is to formulate policies on various aspects of science, technology and environment which are in the interest of the state and the country. ASTEC constitute of a governing body chaired by the Chief Minister of Assam. The executive committee chaired by the commissioner and secretary to the Government of Assam and it appears the entire matters of the council prior to placing them in the Governing Body meeting. ASTEC has three sub branches, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (STD), ASSAM REMOTE SENSING APPLICATION CENTER (ARSAC) and ENVIRONMENT DIVISION (ED), engaged in disseminating science aptitude amongst the children and at the grass root level. These sub-branches, furthermore, have their own hands-on-science programmes. Students and Science Programme is a programme of the STD branch, under which financial and academic support is given to groups of final year students of science and technology for development of innovative projects for Engineering Colleges and University of the state. The aim is to encourage students to use their ability to plan technically feasible and economically viable projects which may meet developmental needs of the state. STD has another programme which is undertaken for upgradation /propagation of technologies aimed at raising the quality of life of the women and rural population, improvement of traditional village/ cottage industries, weaving, spinning etc. This programme is named as Science and Technology for Women and Rural Development. Activities of Popularisation of Science programme of the STD branch includes exhibition, field camps, workshops, popular talks, mass rally, etc. taken up for popularising of science and for development of scientific temperament among all sections of the people of Assam. Training Program for Skill Formation of General and Hill areas is another important scheme of the STD branch of ASTEC. The council has implemented various programmes to generate skilled personnel at different locations in Assam. This is a basic necessity for development of industrial and commercial ventures which opens up avenues of employment for unemployed youths in the existing and proposed industrial and commercial establishments. The most important achievement of Science and Technology Division is probably the establishment of Aryabhatta Science Centre (ASC), at various blocks of Assam. This brain child of ASTEC mainly aims at building scientific attitude among school students, to make scientific education exciting through experimentations and other hands on activities, to promote basic science as a career through organisation of year long programmes per year at the respective blocks. Moreover ASC are equipped with certain basic hands on tools so that the students/general people have a rough idea about the basic science. Till 2009, total 216 ASC were established out of the 219 blocks of Assam. Vigyan Ke Teen Sopan- Khuj, Shodh aur Bodh (Science Express) is a countrywide programme on science and technology popularisation built around an exhibition train “SCIENCE EXPRESS” and it was launched by RVPSP, DST, Govt. of India. The aim of this programme was to encourage talented youth to understand the excitement of careers in teaching and research in different disciplines of science. Another important scheme undertaken by the ASTEC’s STD unit is Rainwater Harvesting. Rainwater Harvesting is the process of storing water in reservoirs or some storage unit when it rains and further using this water for our some basic purpose. It is a viable option for new and existing construction and will decrease the population’s reliance on dwindling groundwater supplies and reduce demand for surface water. Two demonstrative models of rainwater harvesting has been set up at places like Regional Science Centre, Khanapara and Shrimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Panjabari ( both places at Guwahati) in association with AMPHIBIA, a local NGO. Through these models people of Guwahati can derive basic information on rainwater harvesting techniques. Just like STD, Environment Division (ED) too has taken up certain hands on activities for the disseminating basic science knowledge amongst the people. With the aim of educating people the need of conserving our environment and certain endangered species of mammals and other animals so the ecological balance is not shifted to one side alone, Assam Bio-Resource Centre (ABRC) was established by the Environment Division of ASTEC. It also targets on educating people in the need of the conservation of selected species of flora and fauna native to the region especially those which are economically and ecologically relevant to the region. National Green Corps (NGC) programme was taken up by ASTEC in order to generate environmental awareness to the school students. NGC also aims in motivating and stimulating young minds by involving them in action projects related to environmental conservation. Various quiz competitions, extempore speech competitions, painting competitions has been organised so far by NGC amongst the school children to improve on their scientific aptitude towards the conservation of the environment. The activities so far taken up ARSAC are mainly targeted towards the ‘overall upgradation of Assam and its adjoining states. This unit (i.e. ED) of ASTEC doesn’t focuses mainly in the hands-on-activities but they too have worked along with STD and ED for mass promotion of science amongst school children both from rural and urban areas, but they are not engaged in organizing special programmes which STD and ED organize, targeting and focusing mainly on the hands on activities. The Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) have been doing a laudable job in promoting science in the micro level since its birth on 24th April 1986. ASTEC is the foremost organization to have had coined the term hands-on science in Assam for the first time and gradually have taken up varied activities to do such kinds of activities. Its main objective is to promote general scientific temperament amongst rural school students. It supports them in every possible way that they can and if someone performs the simplest of experiments using a bar magnet or someone is involved in robot making, ASTEC supports every one. It has also created a chain of network with many organisations in and outside Assam. One such organisation is Centre for Environmental Education (CEE). With the collaboration of ASTEC, CEE not only has worked for environment work but also has taken up science communication amongst children. Many more organisations like the ASTEC, CEE are needed in the state for a healthy scientific growth all along the state.