Corona vs science literacy

Karen Haydock
Uncertainty is something that most human beings cannot handle. We like to be aware of things and in control of situations. This is why when the coronavirus first arrived and confusion reigned, instead of asking the right kind of questions and working towards finding the answers, we latched on to any piece of information or ‘fact’ about the virus that came our way and that seemed to give us some control back.

In defence of termites

Sanjay P Sane
Termites are generally considered as pests by humans because they infest our homes and turn our wooden doors and furniture into sawdust. But just because they are performing a function that they are meant to by nature, doesn’t turn these insects into pests. Termites are extremely important to the environment and are in fact wondrous creations of nature that we can learn a lot from.

Life can offer science lessons

Pratap G, Vasanth G, Rajith P, Siva P, Raghu P, Sanjeev R
Science is a tool to enhance life experiences and find solutions to its many problems. The children at Isai Ambalam school near Auroville, don’t just learn science, geography, math and civics but engage with these subjects. Here are a few projects that students in this school undertook, which helped them closely understand life problems and use their knowledge of the different subjects to either solve problems or to enhance their understanding further.

Connecting with communities

Sanjay Sondhi
Citizen science is a beautiful idea that encourages common citizens to get involved with the natural world. By becoming citizen scientists we can help professional scientists collect data on animal/bird species, record observations and do our bit to conserve and protect this environment. It is one of the best ways to understand the environment and its various inhabitants and also a good way to introduce children to the natural world. So here’s how you can encourage your students to become citizen scientists.

Measuring ‘talent’: lessons from the Indian Olympiad programme

Aniket Sule
Assessments should be tools that help us understand not just how well a student knows what was taught but also whether they will be able to apply their knowledge to make their everyday lives better. Currently our question papers are designed to test a student’s memory and speed. In order to realize the true nature of assessments, we have to change the way we design question papers and we can learn a lesson or two from the way Olympiad question papers are set.

‘Stamp’ing your way into the insect world

S Ramani
Stamps may not be in regular use today, yet their importance has not decreased. Stamps continue to be one of the best ways for countries to showcase their culture, raise public awareness, and recognize people and events of national importance. Stamps can also become teaching aids for the teacher in the classroom. Here’s how you can study more about insects via insect stamps released by several countries.

Provoking thought in the wild

Shyamal Lakshminarayanan
Provoking thought, inciting curiosity, asking questions, dialoguing—isn’t this the best way to learn science? But can this approach to science be realized with students sitting passively inside the four walls of a classroom? Do teachers have the courage to let go of their authority and engage with their students? Can schools be a little less manicured and become more wild?

Journeys beyond Earth

Ushasi Bhowmick
Man has always been obsessed with the sky and what lies beyond it. In 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, today scientists are researching the possibilities of setting up colonies for human habitation on the moon. This article provides a glimpse into the past, present and future of space travel.

Understanding and utilizing rare earth elements

Dhananjay Sant
What are rare earth elements? Why are they so important to our future? Can we be more responsible in mining them? Are they rare as their name suggests? Find answers to these questions in this article.

The journey towards artificial intelligence

K B Jinesh
We have come a long way from the first ever computer. From being exclusive once upon a time, technology is now an intricate part of our everyday lives. Computers are being built to do more than just compute. Smart phones have replaced feature phones and they are a lot more than mere communication tools. Artificial intelligence is already here and there is talk of building humanoids and creating artificial brains. Technology is developing by the day and it is changing the way we live our lives.