The Heart works 24/7
The students of Grade 4B of Ekya School, JP Nagar Campus, celebrated the “World Heart Day” on 29th Sept 2020. They began by sharing the importance of World Heart Day. Students later took us through the value of the organ Heart in our body and the various methods to keep it healthy. Students even shared a few quotes and poems on Heart. Students expressed their gratitude to the Head of Schools, co-ordinators, and all teachers at Ekya.
Our students were addressed by the HOS and the co-ordinators. This way, the students became aware of this World Heart Day and the significance of the organ “HEART” in our life.
Science is learned by doing experiments and making observations. As a science teacher, taking students to the lab and getting them to try experiments gives me a feeling of immense accomplishment. The moment a lab session is announced, the students sit up straight, faces brighten and their questions keep pouring in. Students have ample opportunity to change variables in the experiment, observe changes, and justify concepts. Labs have always been associated with fun, creativity, a safe place to make errors without being judged.
When the school moved to the online mode, there was this one nagging question on my mind - How are the students going to learn without doing experiments? How will I retain their interest without a physical lab? How do we compensate for the lab sessions? My mind at that time could be compared to the busiest crossroad in Bangalore--so Chaotic !!! So I started seeking answers to those questions and finding alternatives. Google gave a lot of options and so did our ELC team. We started to introduce simulations in our lesson plans and many DIY experiments during our science club sessions. I started planning with a lot of apprehensions, practiced clicking on all options possible so that I would be ready with answers when children needed one. To my amazement, most of the students were able to navigate the simulations, interpret results, and in fact, I learned a few shortcuts from them.
Online experiments in our class and club were all about using easily available ingredients and things from home. Students were challenged to design and execute experiments. Again, it was my turn to learn how wonderfully their mind worked… They impressed me with their amazing ideas such as an eco-friendly table ( with a newspaper that can hold the weight of a few books) or a comfortable shoe (again eco-friendly). They also tried out the neutralization reaction with turmeric, soap, and lime.
Whether it was simulations or DIY experiments, the students were patient, curious, observant, helped each other, and shared learnings. Isn’t that learning is all about? ”Lab” or “ no lab” did not deter the curiosity of our young learners. They were ready to accept challenges and work their way ahead. At that point, I realized that Science is not just doing great successful experiments in the lab but is part of everyday life. Real science develops skills, ability, not just knowledge. And it's time that we as educators adapt to change and accept different virtual approaches with an open mind. As hard as we try to maintain predictable routines, unforeseen circumstances lead us to face change whether we’re ready for it or not.”The only thing in life that is certain is change.” Isn’t that the truth? So we need to be ready to learn and evolve and the best part is that I learned it from my students.
By
Ms. Aarthi V B
Ekya, JP Nagar
Teaches Science and Biology from Grades 7 to 10
I work tirelessly day and night
For freedom i will fight
I put others ahead of me
My country, it will be free
If it is war i will go
I will and i must move against my foe
If i must give my life, i will
My country is exploited and my foe will pay the bill
If peace is the answer
It is better for us, him and her
Billion is more than one,
I will fight for others, my family and son.
If i must stand alone i will willingly do
If i must fight alongside others i will do to
For it’s not about me
My country, it shall be free
I will run through the deserts
I won't be stopped by emotion opinions or hurts
With every step, there is only one goal in my mind
My country, freedom it shall find
When i run my final race
I will with a smile on my face
For at the end of the day
I bought freedom closer to the bay
My actions are for my mother land
The one who shelters us in her hand
For it is not about me
My country, it shall be free
Grade 6
Ekya School, JP Nagar
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