Sastraposhini

    -Introduction
    -Objectives
    -Outcome
    -Training
    -Operation of the scheme
    -Role of KSCSTE
    -Sastaposhini dedicated to state by Honble Chief Minister
    -Ten model laboratories were established
    -The 2nd phase of Sastraposhini
    -The 3rd phase of Sastraposhini
    

Sastraposhini, a program envisaged by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) aims towards strengthening science education in schools of Kerala. The program will be implemented by setting up model laboratories for conducting science experiments in selected schools of the State.

During the pilot program of two years, one model laboratory each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology will be set up in one school in each educational district of the state. Teachers will be encouraged to carry out innovative projects in science education for children Students from different schools could come together and engage in problem solving experiments and critical discussions. This would provide necessary excitement and fun in doing science and thus induce a healthy trend in science learning and a career orientation in doing science.

Need: The educational achievements in Kerala are well known and much studied. But the alarming decline in the standard of science education at all levels is less attended This has led to many serious consequences Recently, there has been a boom in the career with regard to Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (BT) But this need to be backed up through science education of high quality at the school and college levels.

To stimulate interest in science at the school level by the performance of experiments in Physics, Chemistry and Biology by students To provide hand on experiments to students for observation, inference, interaction and self-designing of experiments To organize training programmes for the teachers for demonstrating scientific experiments To evolve low cost laboratory kit based on readily available material for the performing of a range of experiments

The present project is planned for tvvo years. Once the project is launched, it will be operated through two academic years. By establishing model laboratories in core science subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology, experiments will be conducted for the students and by them Separate study circles can be developed among students and engage in problem solving and critical discussions. It will be also possible to hold science project fair so that students of different categories and branches of science can interact This would convey the excitement of doing science to students and induce a growing trend in opting a career in science For the training of teachers, which include practical experiments, interaction with eminent scientists will be arranged The model laboratories aimed may spearhead science in school program over the entire state, and provide a stimulus on education in general.

Training to teachers is an important component of this scheme. Eminent scholars will train science teachers in different disciplines at different phases of the program First phase training was conducted for 60 teachers for three days at the Science in Society, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) during July 28­30, 2003. Dr V Unnikrishnan Nair Vice Chancellor CUSAT inaugurated the program About twenty resource persons handled both the theoretical and practical aspects of science education and evolved methodologies to make the teaching interactive and interesting.

Second phase training will be conducted at Thiruvananthapuram for the next set of teachers of ten schools selected

There will be a district level committee in each educational district consisting of the school authorities, teachers and PTA in the form of a review forum, which will meet as often as necessary The inputs from the district level committee and site visits will form the basis for the assessment of the scheme by the state level committee. Moreover if needed, may also set up a separate agency for monitoring and reviewing the performance of the scheme Apart from this, teachers handling these model laboratories can gather for a day to share their experiences and discuss their problems. The Feed Back Reports (FBR) thus prepared can be discussed in the academic cell of the district and state level committees as well as the Apex Resource Group.

So far the Science and Technology Department of the State has been concentrating more on the issues, policies as well as other R & D efforts of the state. Understanding of the status of science education at the school levels, drop in enrolment of science courses, inability of the science graduates of our state to compete at national level etc made the Council to think on this line. Since this require a new setting of culture in science education, it is being tried at the grass root level. The present proposal of establishing one model science laboratory in each educational district is a pilot program planned by the Council in consultation with the state education department Once the whole system and the net working are established, the same will be handed over to the state education department for its sustenance and replication.

Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony launched Sastraposhini at the Government Model High School Thiruvananthapuram, on October 2nd 2003. The Chief Minister on his inaugural address ,stressed the need for cultivating scientific temper among school children .In his presidential address Dr.M.S.Valiathan, the then Chairman, KSCSTE said that science is a subject that cannot be taught in the conventional ways with chalk and blackboard, but ideally through hands on practical experiments. In his introductory speech , Dr. K.R.S.Krishnan, former Director, KSCSTE said that sastraposhini scheme was aimed at stimulating student interest in science through experiments. Mr V.Ramachandran Vice chairman, Planning Board, Mr. M .Gopalan Director, Public instruction, Prof. P.Gopalaraman Chairman Apex Resource Group, Sastraposhini, Dr.Prakash PSO, KSCSTE also spoke in this occasion

Nodal schools in the pilot program, one school in each educational district is selected for establishing model laboratories. Selection is made in consultation with state education department and personal visits followed, to the respective schools. But In the first phase of the program, ten schools were selected from ten different educational districts of the state this include

Govt. Model Boys Higher Secondary school, Thycaud , Thiruvananthapuram
Govt. HSSS Venjramoodu, Thiruvananthapuram
Govt. HSSS Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram
SMTHSS Chelakkara, Thrissur
Govt. Modal Boys HSS Thrissur
Govt. AJJMGHS Thalayolapparabu, Kottayam
Govt.HSS Kadayathoor, Idukki
Govt.VHS Murikkumvayal, Mundakkayam
Govt. VHSS fro girls Kasaragodu
KNPMGVHS Pariyaram, Kannur

Once the first phase of the program becomes operational, the second phase will be ready for completion.

1 Punalur
Govt. H.S.S.,Kummil, Kadakkal PO,
Kollam
2 Kottarakkara
Govt.V.H.S, Kulakkada, Kottarakkara,
Kollam – 691 521

3 Kollam
Govt. H.S.S. ,Anchalumoodu, Perinad P O,
Kollam – 691 601

4 Pathanamthitta
Govt. V.H.&H.S.S, Pathanamthitta – 689 645

5 Alappuzha
Govt G.H.S, Veeyapuram, Alappuzha – 690 514

6 Kottayam
Govt H.S, Thottackad, Kottayam – 686 539

7 Kattappana
Govt H.S., Thoprankudy, Kattappana, Idukki

8 Ernakulam
Govt H.S., Vennala, Ernakulam – 628 028

9.Malappuram
Govt VHSS for Girls, Wandoor,Malappuram– 679 328

10. Kozhikode
Govt. H.S.S for Girls, Nadakkavu, Kozhikode - 11

1 Muvattupuzha
Govt. Model H.S.,Muvattupuzha,Ernakulum

2 Kothamangalam
Govt.H.H.S, Akanad, Kothamangalam,

3.Aluva
Govt. HS, Kuttamassery, Thottumungham, Ernakulam

4.Cherthala
Govt. HS, Mannacherry, Cherthala, Alappuzha

5.Kuttanad
Govt. HS Kidangara, Alappuzha

6.Thiruvalla
Govt. HS, Kuttor,Thiruvalla, Pathanamtitta

7.Mavelikkara
Govt. VHS School for Girls, Chengannur, Alappuzha

8.Ottappalam
Govt VHS School, VEttanad, Koottanad, Palakkad

9.Palakkad
Govt. Moyam Girls HSS, Palakkad

10.Pala
SKV Govt HSS, Neendoor, Kottayam

11.Thalassery
GVHSS,Kadirur,Thalassery

12.Kanhangad
Govt.HSS,Chayoth, Kasargodu

13.Wayanad
Govt. Model HSS,Cheeral, S.Battery

14.Vadakara
Govt. Moppila HSS, Koyilandy

15.Irinjalakuda
GHSS,Kodungallur, Trichur

16.Tirur
GVHSS for Girls, Tirur - 2, B.P Angadi