TIRUPATI: For the past decade, NT Purushothama, an Education Assistant at the Regional Science Centre (RSC), Tirupati, has been a driving force in promoting scientific awareness among schoolchildren in the region. His dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering a passion for science has made a notable impact on students in city schools and colleges.
Purushothama’s role extends beyond traditional teaching—he encourages children to explore scientific research and innovation, inspiring them to question, experiment, and discover. “He is truly the man behind science education awareness among schoolchildren,” said school correspondent S Vishwanath Reddy. “He has been instrumental in igniting curiosity and fostering a love for science in many students,” he added.
Despite the constraints of his job role, Purushothama has reached over 20,000 students, directly or indirectly, through various scientific awareness programmes. “My goal is to make science relevant and relatable for children,” he told TNIE. “I want to inspire them to think critically, solve problems, and contribute to scientific advancement.”
Purushothama’s passion for science began in his fifth grade when his father built an Aryabhatta model, sparking his interest. This early exposure motivated him to participate in science exhibitions and visit the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum in Bengaluru, which deepened his fascination with the subject.
He has introduced several innovative programmes, including the Children’s Science Festival, Annual Quiz Contest, and Robotic Contest. His engagement with students has led many to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions like IITs and IISERs. He has delivered numerous lectures and demonstrations and served as a judge at various science fairs and exhibitions.
He has mentored students in competitions such as Inspire Manak, CBSE National Science Exhibition, and the Southern India Science Fair. Under his guidance, several students have achieved remarkable academic milestones, including Pranay Krishna, who is pursuing an MS in Astrophysics at Florida Institute of Technology, USA, Omkar at BITS Pilani, and Chakradhar and Anjali Ratna at IIT Gandhinagar.
A graduate in Biotechnology and Applied Botany, Purushothama joined the RSC Tirupati in 2013 as an Education Assistant. “With the support of the late Manigandan, then Project Coordinator, I dedicated myself to making science accessible and engaging for the general public,” he said.
His efforts have included increasing club memberships, enhancing summer camps with diverse scientific disciplines, and introducing activity-based workshops for students, teachers, homemakers, and underprivileged children.
“Science should be accessible to all, and I strive to create an environment where learning is both engaging and inspiring,” he concluded.