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Ekya / March 21, 2023 Posted by : administrator

Source: THE Hans India

In an effort to promote fitness and environmental consciousness among school children, Ekya Schools, as a part of the second edition of the Winter Trek Chapter organized a plogging and trekking activity for its students. A total of 750 students participated from grade 1 to PUC 2 during both the winter trek chapters. It was a fun, fitness and awareness activity which was designed to teach children the responsibility of conserving nature. The trekking cum plogging drive was conducted under the guidance of experts at a popular picnic spot Shivagange, a few kilometres away from namma Bengaluru.

The Plogging trek saw a total of 140 students from grades 5 to 8 participate in the second edition of the winter trek chapter. With 40 extra large and 5 XXL bags, children collected 235 to 250 kg of single-use plastic bottles with bottle caps. The initiative left Shivagange 5 per cent cleaner than what it was before.The event began with a brief introduction to the concept of plogging and trekking, followed by warm-up exercises to prepare the students for the activity. The students were then divided into groups and were given gloves and garbage bags to collect litter while trekking. The route of the trek was carefully selected to ensure that it was challenging enough for the students but not too difficult.

The entire outbound learning trip was a huge success, with the students thoroughly enjoying the experience. They not only got to exercise and explore the outdoors but also learnt the importance of keeping their surroundings clean. The main highlight was the children giving a strong message to the tourists and locals of Shivagange and surrounding places of taking responsibility for their actions and doing their bit of keeping the environment clean.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr.Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools and Provost, CMR University said, “We aspire to make our children aware, compassionate and engaged. The Plogging trek gave them the right opportunity to become aware of their surroundings and engage in sustainability and conservation along with inculcating values such as teamwork, responsibility, and respect for the environment. We encourage our students to continue such activities with their family and peers to help spread awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean and become responsible citizens.”

The activity of plogging involves picking up litter while jogging or walking. Trekking, on the other hand, is a form of hiking that involves walking through natural terrain. The combination of these two activities not only promotes physical fitness but also instils in children the importance of taking care of the environment and doing their bit to conserve nature. This activity not only helps promote physical fitness and environmental consciousness but also teaches children the value of teamwork, as they worked together to collect the litter.

The event was organised in collaboration with plogging experts, who provided guidance and support throughout the planning process. It is so alarming to see this much plastic waste despite a ban imposed on plastic. The activity has helped us to create and spread awareness about the importance of protecting our environment and saving our planet from manmade destruction.

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Ekya / May 24, 2023

Fun in Sun: Ekya School Summer camps designed for children to Explore, Learn & Play

Source: Brain Feed
Summer camps are a great way for children to spend their holidays in a meaningful and productive manner. These camps not only provide a fun and enjoyable experience but also offer opportunities for children to learn and develop new skills. They allow children to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun while staying active and engaged. With this in mind, Ekya Schools and CMR NPS organized series of camps with an array of activities planned that cater to a range of interests and ages. The camps are being led by experienced and qualified instructors ensuring safety, enjoyable experience and engaging environment for children across ages. The camp began with a meaningful excursion to Munnar as a part of the Outbound Learning Pogram organized for children of Ekya Schools and CMR NPS exclusively, where children got to trek, go kayaking, watching and learning tea picking, and learning the process of tea making, enjoying the natural surroundings of tea estates, activities like raft building, watching martial arts of Kerala, etc. At Ekya Schools and CMR NPS, keeping in mind the benefits of organizing summer camps for its students, they have started offering a variety of courses and skill-based activities. Customized activities like LEGO Robotics / Coding and Robotics, Public speaking and creative writing skills, Art Courses like Drama & Speech, Theatre, Sculpturing and Art on bottle, Warli Art, Paper Mache Pots, etc. Performing arts like Hip-hop dance, Indian Modern dance, Sports activities like Swimming, Basketball, Skating, Karate, and many such personality development programmes have been a part of Summer Camps for students of Ekya, CMR NPS and others who wish to participate. Camps are held on several Ekya School campuses. The best part is that kids from any school may come to our campus, participate in camps and have a good learning and fun time by enrolling into the Summer Camps. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Anamika Radhakrishnan, Head – Student Development, Ekya Schools said, “The summer camps at Ekya School and CMR NPS are designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow. Our educational programs are specifically tailored to develop cognitive and social skills and focus on physical fitness and overall wellbeing. Through various activities, we aim to encourage children to be active and engage in physical exercise, which is crucial for their holistic development. With a team of experienced and qualified educators, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education that equips children with the necessary skills to succeed in the 21st century. At Ekya Schools, we are committed to creating a learning environment that fosters children’s holistic development.”

Ekya / May 24, 2023

Bee-lieve it! Students of EKYA School introduced to the new Bee Hotel Initiative to promote sustainability

Source: Education World
While options for summer camps are aplenty, Ekya school in Bengaluru is offering its students an innovative summer assignment- to raise bees. To encourage sustainability initiatives and promote the importance of environmental conservation, Ekya Schools has collaborated with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in their one-of-a-kind ‘Bee Hotels’ initiative. Interested students from all five branches of Ekya have opted for the Bee Hotel and will be participating in the activity. These bee hotels will be looked after by the students during the summer vacation. This initiative targets studying solitary bees in Bengaluru. Experts believe that unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not build hives or display any aggressive behaviour, making it safe for children. Ekya School Byrathi hosted an interactive talk about conserving biodiversity in cities where students interacted with researchers from ATREE. Dr Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools and Provost, CMR University, said, “We have introduced the Bee Hotels as we firmly believe in the importance of transcending the limits of the classroom and raising our students’ awareness of the world they inhabit. Moreover, the Bee Hotel initiative engages the entire family by facilitating collective learning about sustainability and conservation”. “We believe that our students must understand the impact of their actions on the environment,” said Smriti Agarwal, Head of School, Ekya School Byrathi. “By implementing this initiative, we are not only creating a secure environment for bees but also educating our students about the significance of sustainability and conservation.” Students will be recording their observations on the Bee Hotel App. These observations will help further the research program at ATREE to integrate these important pollinators into urban life.

Ekya / May 24, 2023

Gautam Aravindan: A Compassionate Youth Paving the Way for Robotics With A Purpose

Source: Edugraph

The soft hum of electronics filled the air as Gautam Aravindan tinkered with his latest creation in his room. It was a 3-degree of freedom (DOF) camera positioning system for machine vision, and it was his most ambitious project yet. As just a second-year PU student at CMR National Pre-University College, ITPL, Gautam had already made significant strides in the field of robotics and electronics, driven by a passion that had sparked in him at a young age.

Recently, he presented his projects in electronics, robotics, and single-board computers at CMR National PU College. The session covered basic sensors and actuators, delved into the world of robotics using a robotic arm controlled using a Raspberry Pi and a remote control, and discussed the exciting potential of single-board computers. Gautam conducted the session to spread awareness to his peers regarding the amazing potential of the world of robots and computing and that there are no age constraints to building robots. He hoped to have inspired his peers to explore it further.

It all started when Gautam saw a robot on TV and was fascinated by its functionalities. From that moment, his interest in electronics and computing only grew, leading him to explore distinct ventures of robotics and ultimately becoming a field he wished to pursue when he grew older. With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping him indoors, Gautam utilized his time to learn the fundamentals required to build projects related to electronics, robotics, and single-board computers.

Amidst the pandemic, Gautam upskilled himself and expanded his knowledge, creating several impressive projects. From a Laser Security system for safety purposes to a reverse parking system using a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, he had done it all. He had even created several 3-D printed and designed home-based products, such as laptops and mobile stands.

During his journey, Gautam encountered various challenges that strengthened his persistence and determination to achieve his goals. For example - Amid the pandemic, when he couldn't access the required components for his projects, he dismantled his old toys and repurposed them for his work. And with every challenge after that, Gautam's unwavering dedication towards his projects sharpened his problem-solving abilities.

Amongst his numerous projects, Gautam had a particular social concern he wished to address using robotics and electronics - the growing necessity for elderly care. Gautam believes these fields have a wide range of applications and could be used to solve several real-world problems and assist in research ventures. He hopes to address this issue by building a robotic companion for the elderly based on their respective needs.

For people interested in learning more about robotics, technology, and computers, here’s what Gautam suggests - “Explore these ventures in-depth using the Internet. Take advantage of e-learning platforms that offer paid and free courses with certification. Get hands-on exposure by building projects - using beginner electronics kits which are easily accessible on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, etc”.

Gautam Aravindan's dedication to electronics, robotics, and single-board computers is impressive, and his work is an inspiration to many. His passion for these fields has led him to undertake several impressive projects and has given him a broader perspective on the role of these technologies in society. His work on building a robotic companion for the elderly is a testament to his commitment to solving real-world problems through technology. Gautam's journey in this field is one to watch out for, and we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

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Summer camps hot again in Bengaluru; swimming top choice among kids

Source: Summer Camp

BENGALURU: With the fall in Covid-19 numbers and the easing of most restrictions, summer camps are back after two years and parents are enrolling their children in various activities. Swimming has returned as a popular choice, with parents saying it helps their wards stay healthy and is an important life skill.

Umesh Marnad, a businessman, has enrolled both his children — aged six and nine – in swimming classes at a pool in Koramangala. “I want them to compensate for the lack of physical activity in the last two years. I think swimming is a great full-body exercise and is good for height growth,” he said.

Ashok, manager of Chitrakoota Kaushalya School & Swimming Centre, said students are excited to be back on the ground and especially for swimming classes. With fully booked batches until the end of June, Ashok said the demand has forced them to add more batches and even introduce some for adults.

“The sweltering summer has added to the demand for swimming. Children are wary of playing outside in the sun, but swimming is an attractive option as they get to play in the water,” he said.

Joyita Chatterjee, principal of Chitrakoota Group of Schools, said: “Parents also sit back and watch their kids enjoy themselves in pools.”

Homemaker Sangeetha BN’s nine-year-old son was adamant about going for swimming classes. “His demand started a year ago when covid was still at its peak. We could finally enrol him now,” the Basavanagudi resident said.

Other courses have also gained popularity this year.

Ayesha Sirajuddin, head of South Campuses, Ekya Schools, Bengaluru, said that apart from swimming and basketball, chess is popular among those looking for summer courses. “Basketball, throwball, robotics, public speaking, skating and karate are also sought after,” she said.

Farah Nasir, founder of English Hour Academy at Benson Town, said both online and offline classes are popular among parents. “The courses sought after include personality development, creative writing, effective communication for adults and language skills,” Nasir said, adding that some parents are still waiting for schools to reopen to send kids for offline classes.

Aloysius D’mello, principal of Greenwood High International School, said: “The response for summer camps has been overwhelming because children have been deprived of non-academic activities because of online classes. Parents too are relieved by the return of summer camps as it was a struggle for them to ensure kids don’t spend too much time on gadgets.”

Social development hit

He said they have noticed that many kids are still behind in their social development. “Summer camps help children interact with their peers and take part in activities that will boost their mental and physical health. Our summer sports camp in football, badminton, swimming and hockey has already started along with an online summer chess camp by renowned professionals. Children from class 1 onwards can spend their vacation productively here,” he said.

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Aarav Lad from Ekya School JP Nagar wins big at his first international piano competition

Source: THE New Indian Express Nine-year-old Aarav Lad has come far in his journey as a pianist, having started out at the age of five, he has already won big at his first international competition. Lad, a city-based student, was one of 120 competitors in the fifth International Music of the World contest. According to his parents, Ankita and Kapil Lad, Lad has always been an avid pianist from early on. “He has always had a penchant for playing the piano, we got Aarav a 32-key mini piano when he was four, he started learning formally at the age of five and has been learning ever since. Whatever activity Aarav picks up, he completely immerses himself in it and does it with a lot of focus. Right from the beginning, he leaned towards the western classical genre which has a large piano repertoire and finds a lot of pleasure in learning new and challenging classical pieces. Over time, his repertoire has grown in complexity,” Ankita says. Competitors came from over 24 countries across the world, with Lad competing with solo pianists from the US, Russia, China, Canada and Germany. On March 18, he found that he had won second place in the Piano Solo category in his age group 9 to 11, being one of the youngest to bag the prize. He was the only Indian in the age group to win. “It feels very good to have won. It’s my first competition and it’s nice that I was able to win. My favourite composers are Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and Liszt. While I play classical compositions, I hope to create my own in the future,” he says. Lad is currently being trained by prolific Belarussian concert pianists Natallia Kapylova and Liudmila Drazhnik. “We are incredibly proud of him. He has grown immensely with his current teachers. It may be too early to say, but when asked, he says he would want to be both a pianist and a mathematician! We would be happy for him to follow whichever path he chooses,” Ankita says. In the meantime, Lad has also shown a penchant for academics as well. “When Aarav is not playing piano, he’s usually listening to classical music. He also enjoys solving Rubik’s cubes and has participated and won in many competitions, he can solve the 3x3 cube in 10-11 seconds and the 2x2 in 3-4 seconds. He learnt when he was 6 and can solve 14-15 different types of cubes. He also loves Math, Physics and space, and has done well in many Indian and International Math Olympiads,” Ankita says.
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