Science Education For Primary Classes

By Author: priya singh
Total Articles: 35
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We all have heard this popular saying-All good thing come in small packages. Going by this saying, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) introduced a new course in science for children from class I to V. This center designed a science literacy initiative and named the program ‘Small Science’. This unique science course is designed in partnership with an IIT-based company, InOpen Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The chief reason for introduction of this course is to popularize science literacy in young minds. With such a course, the center aims to spread science education in all age groups.
InOpen Technologies Pvt. Ltd. creates educational content for academia. This is a technological organization recognized by IIT-Bombay. IIT-Bombay is one of the premier institutions in the country offering a range of engineering courses. This organization is located in IIT-Bombay campus. The main reason of establishment of this company is to offer effective learning solutions to educational institutions.
The director of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Jayashree Ramadas, said that this course would help in revolutionizing ...
... education, especially the science courses. According to her, the education system in India is dictated by rote memorization. This is not an effectual learning method as it leads to disinterests among students towards the entire learning process. Students should have questions in their mind, and they need to ask more. Rote memorization of subjects, especially science subjects does not support independent thinking. Even the teachers should support leaning through experiments.
This innovative course, ‘The Small Science’, include a series of science texts for primary level students. It also contains work and teacher’s guide, which is designed on principles that will increase the curiosity levels of students. The course content is text-based and is available in form of e-books. The chief focus of this new course is to encourage scientific learning among students through activities, questions, analysis and observation. This course tries to build a base of real experiences had by students. Many schools have used this innovative course, the Small Science, and some of them are using it since last ten years. These schools have given positive responses.
The organization, InOpen Technologies is the main brainchild who has designed this course for Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. The organization is creating more such support materials for educators. Founder and CEO of InOpen Technologies, Rupesh Kumar Shah explained that the organization is conducting a survey to assess the requirements of teachers in implementation of this course. The company is also planning to implement this innovative course across numerous schools.
In addition, the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education collaborating with Inopen Technologies has helped this course to start a digital version. The course is available in its online version in form of e-books. E-learning is new mode of learning and will help create science study fun.
The course, Small Science, is available is Hindi and English and various regional languages as well. Science course, available in regional language will increase the number of students, not just in urban areas, but also in Tier II and III cities of India. The initial learning of science will be good for students who later which to join medicine and engineering courses.

Shipra Sinha writes on behalf of Shiksha.com. Shiksha is a portal that connects education seeker with education provider. Shiksha provides information about MBA, Engineering Courses and College.