Kochi Students Experience Science Through Informal Walks with Researchers
Students from Kochi and neighboring educational institutions recently had a unique opportunity to interact directly with leading scientists during the Walk with Scientist programme, organized as part of the Kerala Science Congress that concluded in the city on Monday. This innovative initiative provided a refreshing learning experience for both students and scientists, moving beyond traditional classroom settings to foster meaningful dialogue.
Open Conversations Between Young Minds and Scientific Experts
The programme, held at Subhash Park, was characterized by candid exchanges between children and researchers. Students from classes VII to X, selected from schools across Ernakulam district, formed small groups with each scientist and walked along the park's pathways while discussing various scientific disciplines. The informal atmosphere encouraged free interaction, with questions spanning diverse fields including space science, glaciology, chemistry, biology, computer science, and ocean studies.
One particularly engaging moment occurred when a student asked Thamban Meloth, director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa, about potential boredom during long research expeditions in polar regions and at sea. Meloth responded honestly, acknowledging that monotony does occur at times since polar and oceanic environments often present similar sights and sounds over extended periods, unlike the constantly changing landscapes on land.
Distinguished Scientists Participate in Educational Initiative
The programme featured participation from several eminent scientists and academic leaders, including:
- M C Dathan, science adviser to the chief minister
- C T Aravindakumar, vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University
- G M Nair, former director of JNTBGRI
- Rajasree M S, former vice-chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University
- S D Biju, professor at Delhi University
- Hemalatha Balram from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru
- Nishana from IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Walking alongside students, these scientists discussed their research work, shared personal experiences, and answered questions across multiple scientific domains, creating a dynamic learning environment.
Inclusive Participation from Diverse Educational Institutions
The event saw participation from students representing various schools across the region, including:
- School for the Blind, Aluva
- St Mary's HS Ernakulam
- Govt HSS for Girls Ernakulam
- St Antony's HSS Kacheripady
- SBOA Public School Ernakulam
- SRV G(M) VHSS and HS Ernakulam
- Darul Uloom VHSS Ernakulam
- St Albert's HSS Ernakulam
- St Teresa's CGHSS Ernakulam
- Model Technical HSS Kaloor
This diverse participation ensured that students from different educational backgrounds could benefit from direct interaction with scientific experts, making science more accessible and engaging through personal conversations rather than formal lectures.
The Walk with Scientist programme successfully demonstrated how informal settings can enhance science education, allowing young learners to connect with researchers on a personal level while exploring complex scientific concepts in an approachable manner.
