Learning Science offers students the ability to understand of how and why things work the way they do. Science is an intrinsic part of our daily life. We cannot restrict its application to only certain fields of knowledge. It is everywhere.
With the objective of teaching the students how to observe things, collect evidence, draw inferences and conclusions, and to give the students an ability to make sense of the world around them, a Science Fortnight was conducted in Staford School from 16th February, 2015 to 28th February, 2015. Various interactive and fun activities were planned for the students during this fortnight aimed at improving their knowledge, retention and reproduction, aiding application of knowledge to experiences and other learning situations, and giving them a sense of accomplishment on the completion of a task.
Children of all the classes worked on various projects during school hours and came up with some really well made models on various themes and topics.
Class 1A made a beautiful snowman using thermocol plates, chart papers and fluorescent sheets. Ms. Towheed Fatima guided the students during the activity and told them about the relevance of seasons. Class 1 B took a great initiative under the guidance of Ms. Alka Singh by visiting all the classes and talking to the children about ‘Good habits’; using hand-held placards they inspired all the students to become civilized citizens of our country. They also presented a small play based on the significance of good habits. Later they even tool the initiative to clean the school campus, to emphasize and put into practice the habit of keeping our surroundings clean.
Class 2A had an interesting group activity conducted by Ms. Krati Bajpai, where children worked in groups and made charts on the phases of the moon. Class 2B performed a few interesting experiments on ‘Air’ and observed its presence and absence by blowing air into the balloons and by covering a burning candle with a glass. Through these experiments the students also concluded that Air has weight and occupies space and also that oxygen is necessary for burning. The students were thrilled to perform these experiments with their teacher, Ms. Sangeeta Saxena.
Class 3A and 3B did a sorting activity under the supervision of Ms. Shailja Joshi on the eating habits of animals, seasons, sources of light and the germination of seeds.
Class 4 sorted and compiled pictures on themes of nutrients, adaptations in plants and animals, and life cycle of animals. Later, they saw a PowerPoint presentation prepared by their Science teacher, Ms. Sarah Abbas and answered the questions based on the different images shown in the presentation.
Classes 5, 6 and 7 were engaged throughout the fortnight in making models on different concepts like Solar and Lunar eclipse, Volcanoes, Solar System, Windmill, Habitat, Traffic Control system, Germination, Purification of water, Light and shadow, Diaphragm, Pinhole camera, Skeletal System, Magnets, Kaleidoscope, a Biogas plant, Periscope etc.
Overall, it was an educative period full of fun activities designed to sharpen the sense of curiosity, hone the skills of reasoning and logical thinking and consolidate the understanding of concepts in the students. It taught them that practical work and hands on activity is part and parcel of what teaching and learning in Science is all about. Later this month, the children will invite their parents to view their work in a Science Exhibition.