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Ekya / December 08, 2021 Posted by : administrator

Source: New indian express

Child authors from Bengaluru speak about their books written during the lockdown period 

BENGALURU: If we asked you to use your imagination and picture an author of four fantasy novels, what would you see? Would it be an ageing man or a woman hunched over a desk?
We often associate accomplished authors with age and experience. But today, young authors are changing the dynamics of the publishing world.

Fifteen-year-old Rakshan Pandian had the intense desire to write during the lockdown in 2020. His debut novel Chronaethion, a high fantasy novel, is for children of 12 years and above. The book is an immersive, adventure fantasy novel that follows a banished prince, princess and their guardians through a time-distorted land, guided by a mysterious boy.

Rakshan, a grade 10 student from Inventure Academy, describes the book as ‘magical literature’. “It was all my imagination and was very spontaneous,” he says when asked about the creative process behind his writing. A fan Brandon Sanderson and William Shakespeare’s work, Rakshan says that his grandfather inspired him to write the book.

Why did he picked fantasy and what were the challenges he faced?  “I was able to fully immerse myself in fantasy and use my imagination. The editing process was a little strenuous,” he shares. 
Rakshan surprised his family with his creative prowess. His mother Rajeshwari says that she was taken aback at first. “Rakshan is an avid reader,” she says, adding, “But, when it came to writing, we had to force him to write anything more than a sentence right from kindergarten. This (book) came as a surprise to all of us.”

Seven-year-old Jiya Gangadhar, studying at Ekya Schools, JP Nagar, is the author of a children’s book L is for Lockdown – Jiya’s Journal of Lockdown Lessons. It’s a creative non-fiction piece, transcribed from the diary she kept during the pandemic, where she wrote about the experiences and challenges she faced.
“When the lockdown was announced, we started our online classes. I had a lot of time to spare as I was at home; I started to write all my experiences in a diary. When my book was published and I saw it on Amazon, it was the happiest moment for me,” says Jiya.

“We were happy to see a book authored by one of our students. Jiya had imbibed a good habit of writing in her diary and the effort of her mother to recognise her passion for writing is really appreciated,” says Sreepriya Unnikrishnan, principal, Ekya School. 

Speaking about young authors, Upamanyu Dhar, a literature enthusiast, says, “India has a pool of very talented authors. It is heartening to see young authors make a name for themselves. The world 
needs more books written by young people.”

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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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E-classes allowed for those unable to attend offline in Karnataka

Source: New indian express

BENGALURU: The education department has allowed online classes to continue for students who are unable to attend offline classes. Schools are working out a way to balance the two. Starting August 23, many private schools are even considering delaying their reopening to September.

Sridhar G, Founder of Deeksha said, whatever is being conducted offline will be repeated online, in a different time slot. “It will be done to ensure that if a child is unable to attend due to any reason, or if the parents feel that they don’t want to risk their child going out to college, they can attend the online classes.”

“The education department is prepared to reopen Classes 9 and 10 and second physical classes for PU I and II,” Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh said. Ayesha Sirajuddin, Head of South Campuses, Ekya Schools said, students have to attend the offline classes from the campus for 2 days a week and the remaining classes will be conducted online.

Narayana Group has not decided on reopening yet, said Latha CS, Principal, Narayana e-Techno School, adding that safety of the students is of utmost importance to them. Shashi Kumar, general secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools, Karnataka (KAMS) told TNIE “Schools are prepared for reopening.

However, there is a financial constraint because parents are not coming forward to pay minimum fees. When schools fully open, the financial stability will be more -- more parents will pay fees. This is if schools reopen for students atleast from Class 5.”

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Make Cyber Safety a Priority for Children, Say Academicians as Kids at Risk amid Online Learning

Source: News 18

Change in curriculum, good and bad online practice should be part of the curriculum, say parents and teachers as long hours of online teaching make children vulnerable to cyber bullying and abuse.

Inappropriate content to sexual abuse - children learning online have to fight more than just long hours of screentime. Over 1.5 billion children and young people have been affected by school closures worldwide, says UNICEF. Spending more time on virtual platforms can leave children vulnerable to online sexual exploitation and grooming, as predators look to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic, added UNICEF.

Indian students and teachers too are working to ensure the safety of children as reopening of physical schools for all kids is not in sight soon. Since online learning is here to stay, academicians want policymakers to ensure the cyber safety of kids is a priority.

Bengaluru-based Martin Henry, whose son studies in class 5 at a CISCE-affiliated school, “Children spend a lot of time on the internet and the kind of content they browse online are way out of parents’ imaginations."

“I personally feel that cyber safety should be a priority. It is not only the school’s responsibility alone, but the parents should also be equally part of it," he adds. At home, he is trying to make online classes safer for his son by ensuring parental control, a secured WiFi network, blocking suspicious sites, limiting the number of websites visited per day, and keeping a strict schedule.

Even on safe sites, many children have to face bullying but in digital space, crashing of unknown people into a class are not one of instances. Pranav Sudhir Kashyap, a class 12 student of CBSE-affiliated CMR National Public School, Bengaluru told news18.com that he and his friends have seen instances of cyberbullying. “Students have to be protected against cyberbullying as well. I think it is essential for schools to reach out to students and motivate them to be frank about their feelings and experiences. Only then will online schooling become secure and possibly the new norm."

When it comes to online classes taught by the schools they “have also set their own identification systems to allow only the students that are enrolled. In this manner, teaching is uninterrupted."

Good online practices need to be part of the curriculum

Just like teaching good touch and bad touch has been streamlining, we need to mainstream hygenic digital habits in kids, said Nirmala Menon, CEO, and founder of Interweave Consulting.

“Children should be taught to recognise what is acceptable and not in online texting and conversations and that no one, whether from peers, staff or faculty can cross boundaries," she says.

“Both teachers and parents should be involved in teaching the students and at the same time, depending on the age of the child, s/he must be appropriately empowered and equipped to confidently call out bad experiences without any guilt", adds Menon.

Meghna Yadav, Head of Training and Development at KLAY Preschools and Daycare feels that students too should be trained about internet safety and “the training of good, bad, and ugly starts as soon as digital exposure starts for very young children." Yadav explains that the way parents talk about healthy food habits with their children, they should talk about a healthy digital diet with their children as well.

“Children need to be taught about digital resilience which includes the risks that can be found online, what to do if something goes wrong, putting multiple checks and digital blocks are some of the steps to make it safe," adds Yadav. “Open conversations in the family regarding real-life incidents of cybercrime are important. Entertainment websites, social media, mobile, and video games need to be consumed in a very limited quantity," she said.

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