Dr. V.K.Maheshwari, M.A (Socio, Phil) B.Sc. M. Ed, Ph.D.
Former Principal, K.L.D.A.V. (P.G) College, Roorkee, India
Non-formal mode of education is an organized activity which can be modified in a number of forms and methods depending on the requirements of the learner. Our classroom teaching does not provide opportunity for self expression, constructive activities and independent enquiry. No time is assigned for practical work. All these lead to the need for an organization providing an outlet for the pent up emotions of children and for pooling their energies. An organization which caters for the in calculation of scientific attitude and genuine interest in science and also can supplement the work of the classroom and give the syllabus a practical dimension may be called a science club.
It is a fact that we can learn and remember things better if we do it and practice rather than just read them. This basic principle is involved in the formation of organization called “Science Clubs” meant for ‘learning by doing’.
Children have the tendency to make things, break things and handle things on their own but the conventional system of education does not allow them to do so. Self-expression, independent research, constructive activities, etc., are some of the opportunities provided by the science clubs. In the classrooms, the students work formally and restrict themselves to the school curriculum. Whereas in science clubs, there are no restrictions and the students can work on their own ideas with full freedom.
Science clubs channelize the energies of students and make use of their skills and talents, which satisfy their instincts and urges and helps in their overall personality development. Science clubs work in association with classroom instruction of science subjects. Therefore we can define science club as “an organization, which helps in the development of scientific attitude, and develop genuine interest in science and scientific activities, supplements the work of the classroom and the laboratory and parts the syllabus on a practical bias
Science Club bridge in-school and out-of-school learning and foster the development of skills, such as experimentation, critical thinking, and problem solving. By giving our members a supportive environment to explore science, we are also building more confident learners and educators.
Some concepts can not taught either in the classroom or in the laboratory, for such concepts science club provide better opportunities In science teaching process laboratory is considered as heart of science, curriculum where as science club is considered as the blood of it.
The Aims and Objectives of a Science club
The aims and objectives of a science club may outline as below.
To provide proper incentive and inspiration for the pursuit of scientific knowledge in rigorous way by broadening their scientific outlook. To make the students understand the values of time and to help them in the proper utilization to their hours.
- To provide opportunities for bringing school close to the society and to acquaint the people with the services and contribution of the science in their life.
- To develop among the student the spirit and attitude of healthy competition for the individual and social cause. To help the students in imbibing The habit of self-reliance, self-dependence and love for manual work
- To inculcate scientific attitude. To provide opportunity for the development of the constructive, explorative & inventive faculties of the students. To develop training in scientific method of problem solving
- To develop students, inters and participation in the practical application of the knowledge related to different branches of science. To grate interest in scientific facts and events related to one’s surroundings.
- To develop interest in scientific hobbies. To encourage individual and group activities. To stimulate active participation and initiative among students in the learning process.
- To develop the creativity and encourage the habit of exploration.To widen the outlook of students, apply the knowledge in life situations.
- To provide opportunity for the development of the constructive, explorative and inventive faculties of the students.
- To create interest in latest inventions and discoveries of science in various fields and to get acquainted with the life history and contributions of great scientists.
- To develop students, interest and participation in the practical application of the knowledge related to different branches of sciences.
Organization of Science Club
A properly organized science club will be a valuable aid to teaching science and also a means of motivating the children for learning science. The successful working of the club depends on the persons who organize it and also on the interest and enthusiasm of students. Though science club is run by the students for the students, the science teacher is the pivot of all activities.
To begin with, the science teacher can explain the importance and benefits of organizing science club and can arouse enthusiasm among students. This discussion may be followed by business meeting in which office beares are chosen. Every science club should have its own constitution. They should be a general body and an executive body.
The suggested office bearer should be:
- The senior science teacher may be the Sponcer.
- The principal/Headmaster of the school may be Patron
- The resources of the school should be made available to the club.
- An elective executive committee formed from the club members/students.
- Executive committee: Chairmen, Secretory, Joint Secretory, Treasurer, Librarian, Store keeper, Publicity in charge, Class representative.
- A nominal membership fee should be charged from every member.
- Other resources should be tapped by the club.
- The members of the club should be encouraged to extended the activities of the culb in their locality.
The duties of office bearers should be
- Patron : To extended all the facilities to the club for its effective working.
- Sponcer: To look after, Guide, Lead.
- Chairperson: To prescribe over the function of the club and over the meetings of the executive committee.
- Secretory: To maintain the minutes of the meetings of the club.
- Join Secretory: To assist the secretory.
- Treasurer: To collect subscriptions and maintain the accounts.
- Librarian: To issue and receive book, maintain catalogue.
- Store Keeper: To keep record and equipment of the club
- Publicity in charge: To publish the activities of the club in and outside the school.
There should be regular meetings, discussions, planning, feedback etc. The responsibility of the taking initiative in the establishment of a science club in the school and then for its effective organization essentially lists.
Preliminary Considerations:
1- After performing the above mentioned tasks the teacher should call a formal meeting of the science teacher should call a formal meeting of the science students. In this meeting the proposal and scheme concerning the organization of Science club in the school should be discussed. The aims and objectives of this club are to be placed before the students and constitution of the club is chalked out and the membership drive is launched.
2. With the active cooperation of the head of the institution, the he should make efforts to arrange for the finances to establish the science club. While some amount may be taken from the finances of the institution and collected from the students in the form of membership fee etc.
3. The department of NCERT, State Government or any voluntary agency may also be approached for providing assistance in the project.
Suggested functioning of Science club:
Every office bearer and member of the club should work whole heartedly in a team spirit for the smooth and effective running of the programs and activities of the club . Usually the following activities may be undertaken in a science club:
v Arranging lectures of the subject experts on the subject of the scientific interest
v Arranging cleanliness and health weeks in the institution
v Arranging excursions and short trios for the members to places of scientific interest.
v Creating in the school healthy environment for carrying out scientific studies and activities.
v Decorating the walls of the classroom, library and laboratory with scientific and activities.
v Organizing school services in the field of health and sanitation
v Preparing certain things of common use like soaps, writing ink, phenyl, etc
v Publishing science magazine and news bulletin of scientific events.
Suggested duties of office bearers
Duties of the Secretary-
- To take responsibility of the conducting the programmes and activities of the club.
- To take charges of all correspondence related with the club activities.
- To frame the programmes of the meeting and keep proper record or the proceeding of the meetings of the club.
- To invite the outside expert and guest speaker etc., in the club and attend them properly.
Duties of the Publicity Officer-
- To publicize the activities of the club in the school and outside the school through posters and writing in the magazines, newspapers and scientific journals.
- To keep a record of all important scientific activities, achievements and programmes of the club.
Duties of the Treasure-
- To prepare budged of the club and present the statement of the account .
- To keep the proper account of the income and expenditure of the club.
- To collect subscriptions from the members.
Suggested Science Club Activities
Through activities of a science club, learning of science becomes joyful. The science club caters to freedom for expression, where as the classroom atmosphere leads to conformity and repression. While activity participating in a science club students organize thought and translate these in to action and thereby develop a zealous enthusiasm to strive for the cause of scientific enterprise.
The club should be in contact with scientists and other nearby scientific institutions who could visit the schools to speak to learners about exciting topics and show them some “science in action”. This could also be an opportunity for learners to ask about careers in science.
The club could organise for its members (and other interested learners) to meet for talk sessions where current scientific topics could be discussed. This session could be used to talk about ideas that might help solve some of the world’s many problems. With a little more initiative, real scientists and university students could be invited to sit in at these sessions.
The most exciting part of such a club is the opportunity to meet people from other schools. If neighbouring schools were encouraged to form similar clubs, then these clubs could communicate with each other and form some joint organisation with representatives from each school. This larger group could then organise much bigger projects such as regional science expo’s and other interesting inter-school events.
This is an easy-to-organise event that would be fun as well as intellectually challenging. The club could find interesting mathematics or science problems that lie within the capability of the targeted learners and offer small prizes to those who can solve them. Depending on the level of difficulty, there could also be prizes for group entries.
Many learners may exhibit great interest in a certain aspect of science but lack the motivation to pursue it. By providing some incentive for them (e.g. obtaining partners from industry who may also be interested in a certain topic) the club will facilitate and encourage these learners to research topics that they find interesting.
Conducting visual programmes of scientific interest . Improvising and preparing hand-made apparatus. Collecting. Preparation of soaps, ink ,candle matches, toys, bleaching powder, nail polish, chalk etc. Mounting and preserving the specimens.
Rendering school services in health and sanitation through managing a first aid squad. Helping the community by way of demonstration on health and hygiene, improvement of agriculture, eradication of superstitious belief etc.
Publishing school science magazine.Preparing science albums, Preparing still/Working models on science topics .Maintaining a bulletin board for displaying science news .Conducting essay competition on scientific problems.
Arranging science discussions, debate, essay writing, Conducting workshops Conducting science quiz competitions, etc.Arranging the science excursions and visits. Arranging science exhibitions , Film shows and science fairs.Organizing lectures, debates, seminars, symposia etc.
Celebrating the science days . Celebrating birth days of eminent scientist