Science gets an exciting edge at special workshops across the city

Twelve-year-old Himanshu Sanger has never been more excited about the concept of magnetic levitation. A student of Evergreen Public School, Vasundhara Enclave, he had read about it in science books but it was during a radio and electronics class at National Bal Bhavan this week, that he finally started pondering over its details. After observing a repelling action between two magnetic rings, Sanger excitedly pointed out, “This happened because poles of the same charge had been put together. I will repeat the experiment at home and also show it to my friends.” Sanger’s class at National Bal Bhavan is among the several workshops in the city where children have fun translating their theoretical science lessons into practical experiments.

Asha Bhattacharjee, assistant director of Science Education Center at National Bal Bhavan, points out students engrossed in aeromodelling and radio and electronics classes. “Our aim is to simplify complex concepts. One does not need elaborate equipment, simple material can do the trick,” she says, adding that the institute stresses on using material available at home for experiments. “This allows children to repeat the exercise. Science can be fun.”

Building Blocks, a Delhi-based learning organisation, has a series of workshops lined up for the next two months. At the robotics classes, 11 to 15-year-olds will make models of cranes and tanks to understand motor movements and pulley systems; and in science classes, nine to 15-year-olds will be handed kits like a portable generator to understand electromagnetic induction and a hydraulic jack to familarise them with hydraulics. “These make sure that the child is not just memorising texts but also understands what is taught,” says Swati Sharma, instructor at science and robotics workshops conducted by Building Blocks. The kits are being designed by a team of researchers at a laboratory in Modinagar. “These are pre-tested and have all safety precautions in place. It is important to make sure that a child is not exposed to something that could be dangerous,” adds Sharma.

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