Our Schools

subeditorjpn / December 08, 2017 Posted by :

What is it?

The Hour of Code is an attempt to teach people the basics of computer programming in 60 minutes in a fun, simple way. It is part of a campaign that Code.org, a non-profit organisation, launched in the US with the goal of introducing coding into the US curriculum and raising awareness around what coding is. It is now a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries.

Why are we doing it?

At Ekya, we believe in living the lesson. With Hour of Code, our parents get also a glimpse of how this is done. Across a week, the school hosts competitions for students as well as parents; our aim is to bust the myth of coding being difficult, by pairing parents with the students and helping them to program together. The pairs get one hour to finish the program with the help of our students. We also have students from Grades V to X  participating in exciting coding competitions.

Primary school

The opening week of the event saw students from Grade I to IV, paired with their parents, code on simple languages such as Scratch, MS logo, Python and Tynker. Our parents seemed to enjoy the hour-long session of coding, typing away their code with ease, including those who were unfamiliar with the concept behind it. Our team of students were efficiently able to help and guide parents on each step. We asked a few parents for feedback and to our delight, they were all encouraging and motivating!

 

It was an exciting experience. I guess we all felt a bit nostalgic coming back to school and our computer labs. The students did an amazing job executing the entire event. Kudos to all of them.

~ Padmapriya Venkataraman, parent of Ashwat Venkataraman (IVC).

On 4th December, we were joined by parents of our Grade III students, who joined their children to code using MS Logo. They ended their session with the motivation to learn more about programming while printing interesting designs they coded.

I got the chance to meet the next-gen Einsteins! Great job by the kids.

         ~Niraj Milak, parent of Reyansh Milak (IIIA).

Meanwhile, parents of our Grade II students used easy coding blocks to guide dragons on the game ‘Dragon Dash’, using Tynker the new coding language.

I first coded during my engineering but now they (the Grade 2 students) are coding from such a young age which is brilliant. We had difficult languages like C and C++, I’m glad that easy coding is taught to the children. Great job to the team of students for navigating us throughout the session.

          ~Arunjet Taneja, parent of Anika Taneja (IIA).

The students of Grade I also coded with their parents on Tynker. They had an energetic session played the game ‘Candy Quest’ in which they had to guide the hungry monster to the candy. 

 

I love coding even though I’m not from a tech background. Nowadays, kids only play games on the mobile phone. I’m happy that through Tynker they are learning the logic behind it. I’m thankful to the school for taking this initiative. 

           ~ Ashvini R, parent of Kshamya Pradeep (IB).

Middle school

Students of Grades V – VII participated in the coding competitions, programming in simple languages such as Scratch, Python and HTML. Everybody was ecstatic and excited about their events. Students were divided into pairs and only one pair in each class could emerge as the winner. They participated wholeheartedly and made it tough for the judges to announce a winner. Here are a few scenes from their competitions:

 

High school

Our senior school students also had their share of coding competitions. Writing their programs in the languages of HTML and Java, they went through a preliminary round of coding, as students were paired roll number wise and each pair working on two programs. Being the fastest team was the qualifying criteria for the knockout stage, one which also decided the winner at the finals.

What’s in store?

We appreciate our kind parents for taking the time from their busy schedule to attend the first round of coding events. Now that the basic introduction to coding is done, we have some exciting events lined up on 9th December. We look forward to hosting our parents at the ‘Hour of Code’ finale which will be held on 9th, starting at 9 AM onwards. We have programs like skits and dance and quizzes and much more based on the central theme of coding, so don’t miss it!

Explore more

subeditorjpn / March 14, 2024

Strategies to help students focus on their studies

The famous quote by Bruce Lee, “Concentration is the root of all the higher abilities in man,” aptly describes the importance of concentration. When it comes to students, concentration plays a major role in their overall performance. From understanding the concepts in the classroom to solving advanced mathematical problems or playing their favourite sports, everything is directly related to the power of concentration. Many of them wonder how to stay focused on their studies. For them, it is advisable to take small breaks in between their study sessions. Also, students should make an effort to participate in an extracurricular of their choice, be it playing guitar or making goals in the field. Activities of their choice would not only give them a break from studies but would also boost their dopamine level.

As per American psychological society, there is a decline in student's attention for 10 to 15 minutes. However, there is a need to look out for strategies for boosting productivity and focus among students

Here are some tips to concentrate on studies and boost focus:

Prepare short summaries of the lessons:

After completing the lessons, preparing a summary of it will help students to get a good hold on the topic. Short summaries will also be useful during the revision before final exams. Sticky notes to write important points will also help

Take periodic breaks:

A small break after a study session is one of the learning tips for children given by many experts. Small breaks help students refresh their mind and focus on the topic. Students can also use the Pomodoro technique which includes 25 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break or 50 minutes of study and 10 minutes of break.

Encourage them to finish tasks faster:

Setting a time limit will help students to channel their energy in one direction. This is a good way to increase their concentration. Children should also be advised to divide the bigger tasks into smaller pieces and solve them one by one. This technique will teach students the lesson of time management and will enhance their concentration.

Try to make learning sessions fun:

It is one of the best tips for studying. As it will engage the students in the most fun manner. For this, various learning toys can be used to make them understand complex topics. Including memory games would also be a good option to increase their concentration.

Implement Ed-Tech learning:

Involving Ed-Tech learning is one of the best ways to keep the students engaged, as it captivates their attention. Ed-tech learning methods are designed in a way to not just boost the student's interest but also help improve their concentration.

Take the feedback seriously:

Always encourage the students to take the feedback given by their teachers seriously as this way they will get to know more about their weaker areas and work over them. It is a good way for students to channel their focus on the areas that demand more attention.

Understand the student's potential:

This point is very important for teachers and parents to consider. Every child is blessed in some or the other way. Comparing them with other students not just demoralises them but also lowers their confidence. So it is essential to understand the true potential of every student. This way they can excel in their desired career fields.   Ekya School is among the best schools in Bangalore, if you are seeking a school with an ICSE curriculum, this is the place for you. It is also among the CBSE schools in Bangalore, that provide students a holistic approach by innovative curriculum design based on the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. With over 30 years of education legacy, it has excelled not only in academics but also outperformed in co-curricular activities. Ekya’s experienced teachers help students concentrate on studies through different methods of teaching, clearing doubts, and revision sessions, pedagogy method of teaching is applied for better outcomes. Moreover allowing students to take breaks, participate, and enjoy their personal activity time. Ekya promotes the importance of co-curriculum activities such as physical health, sports, school clubs, music, dance, coding, debating, and more. All these approaches help in concentration and focus, also these are elements that demand variety and quality breaks in between everything we do. Furthermore, students are offered excellent opportunities here in Ekya that help them grow in a safe and supportive environment.  

subeditorjpn / March 04, 2024

Teachers, The Unsung Heroes

In the vast tapestry of society, there exists a group of individuals who are shaping futures, nurturing minds and instilling values but continue to remain unsung heroes. Their efforts and contributions often go unnoticed despite the indispensable role they play in society. Despite their pivotal role, teachers are most often undervalued and underappreciated. It’s crucial to recognise and acknowledge their efforts. Acceptance of their importance motivates them to continue their noble work.

Beyond the confines of books and teaching teachers play a significant role in shaping the lives of their students. They serve as mentors, confidants and role models guiding young children through challenges and opportunities. With their role comes great responsibility as they not only impart education but also nurture character, empathy, and resilience. Teachers have the power to ignite passion, unlock potential, and instil a lifelong love and learning.

The commitment of teachers transcends mere profession, it’s a lifelong dedication. Despite facing numerous challenges, from limited resources to societal pressures, they remain committed to their pursuit of providing quality education. The impact they create in the lives of individuals is unfathomable. The smile they bring to the faces of young children is something that only they are capable of and that’s what brings joy and fulfilment in their lives.

As we reflect on their profound impact, let’s celebrate and honour their invaluable role in shaping the world we live in. This tribute to teachers is a recognition of their transformative power in shaping the destiny of individuals and communities. Let’s cherish and support them in their noble endeavour to enlighten minds and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Sreepriya Unnikrishnan Head of School Ekya School, JP Nagar

subeditorjpn / March 04, 2024

Education, the essence of life

Education is the most beautiful creation, be it in nature or human life. I choose to do the Cambridge International Diploma course to enhance my understanding of how to teach effectively. This course enabled me to accept challenges and think outside of the box. It helped me develop critical thinking in my students, motivating them to revolutionize their thought processes as they are taught “How to think?”, not “What to think?”.This course has helped me improve my teaching skills creating a better learning environment for my learners. The use of active learning strategies like think-pair-share, brainstorming, class discussion, and Socratic Questioning has helped widen their horizon, as the students develop problem-solving skills and communicating and collaborating skills. As a teacher, following my passion has been enriching and rewarding. Written by, Shalini Joshi
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Winning the Triathlon – Arnav Manoj

In this feature of Stars of Ekya, we speak to Arnav Nama Manoj of Grade IV from Ekya JP Nagar, who won a Triathlon competition, held in Goa conducted by Pioneering Ventures and Enduro Sports. Participating in the Under-11 Category, the triathlon tested Arnav across the three events – 150 metres swimming, 2.2 kilometres of bicycling and 1.2 kilometres of running. Arnav bagged first place, finishing with an impressive time of 17 minutes and 52 seconds. The Editorial team of Ekya JP Nagar sat down with the champion to discuss his experience with the event and what it felt lifting the trophy. Owing his interest in the event to his father, who frequents at triathlons across the country, Arnav’s participation in the competition came with great encouragement and support. “My father is my inspiration to have started with such competitions. I trained with him and participated in my first triathlon in 2016 where I stood third” The hunger and desire to beat his previous finish, got Arnav to train well for this year’s Triathlon, as he adds, “I had just four weeks of practice running up to my 2016 event. This year, I ensured I started early. I have been training since June and the event was in November.” For an event that includes three styles of sports, swimming plays favourite for Arnav who enjoys his time in the pool. It was a close finish in Goa, as he recalls it, “When I finished swimming, I thought I wouldn’t make it to the finish. There were five participants ahead of me. Eventually, I took the lead during the cycling event. There was no looking back. I was confident that I had first place in the bag. And I did! While admitting that he had the pre-event jitters, Arnav maintains that he was really excited to be back to the competition and looks forward to participating again next year, this time with the goal to better his time. When quizzed on his training regime, Arnav’s face beamed as he spoke at length about his routine, “During the first month, the training was focused on one sport or exercise – core exercise, cycling practice for 2.8 km, swimming for 2 km and running for 2 km. To prepare for the event, I would train in the morning before school. Now, my routine is in the evening. I train with my father who advises me on how to go about with each course.
Don’t do everything quickly. You need to work on endurance and stamina. You might do extremely well in one of the sport, but you can have others catch up and beat you in the other events. So you need to maintain your speed and pace for all three - swimming, cycling and running. - Arnav's advice for anyone looking to participate in a triathlon
With his sights set on next year’s competition, Arnav looks to get better at running and cycling, with the self-imposed challenge of beating his own time. We wish Arnav the best!    

Science Fest at Ekya JP Nagar – Stories from Our School

Ekya School JP Nagar held a Science Exhibition on 31st October 2017. It was a fun-filled event with a whole lot of interesting projects and working models. The showcase brought out the creativity and innovation of our students, whose ideas were completely out-of-the-box! Students were given the choice to make working models of any science stream: Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Our Editorial was on ground, covering the event. Here are some of the many interesting projects from the exhibit:
"We made Candy Floss!"
Cotton Candy Vending machine by Diya Anil Kumar and Trishikha Kiran Rao of Grade 9
 Candy Dispenser and Water Purification
Candy Dispenser and water purification by Omkar Rajesh of Grade 9
Hydraulic bulldozer by Vaishnavi R
"BOOOM!!! It goes!!"

Bazooka by Sanjan D. Murthy of Grade 10.

Solar Eclipse model by Nawal Kotla of Grade 7.

"Care for a little electricity?"

Conversion of Mechanical energy to Electric energy by Prathyush Jain and Vibhanshu Bhagat of Grade 9.

"Break some tension here"

Surface tension project by Isha Saxena of Grade 10.

"Let's cool down a little"

Air conditioning model by Sameecha Sudheer of Grade 10.

Electric Canon and Kaleidoscope by Nithya Anantharaman of Grade 7.

"We sure have tight security"

Security System Door Alarm by Anirudh U. Reddy and Sushant R. Naik.

Hybrid Generation by Sharvari Ramesh of Grade 9.

Aside these, some of the other commendable projects were:

  1. Remote Control Car - Prasidh and Areyen.
  2. Solar Oven - Adithi Guruprasad and Yukta Jhaveri.
  3. Table-top Hover Craft - Daksh Patel.
  4. Elephant Toothpaste - Tauksik Anil Kumar.
  5. Blobs in a Bottle - Vinay and Eshaan.
  6. Hydraulic Arm - Sushmitha Saladi.
We laud the effort put in by our students for putting up their fantastic and innovative ideas on showcase.

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