BHAWANIPATNA : Here are over 200 big and small toys stacked neatly in the Jaya Durga high school at Narla Road in Kalahandi district. Balloons, toy cars and aeroplanes, bubble blowers, musical equipment and much more.
But these toys are not meant for the primary graders. Instead, science teacher Santosh Kumar Kar uses them to explain complex science concepts in a simple manner to students at a mini-science lab that he has established on the campus. For this innovative approach towards science education, the Ministry of Education awarded him the National Teachers’ Award for 2024.
At Narla, which is an under-developed tribal-dominated area classified as an aspirational district by NITI Aayog, science education at school level was a misnomer till Kar joined the Jaya Durga school in 1999. Most of his students were first generation learners, largely from economically-disadvantaged sections.
“When I joined, there was neither a science lab in the school nor interest among the tribal children to study the subject. Since science class was scheduled after the midday meal break, they would return home after having the food and not come back,” he recalled.
This is when Kar decided to use toys to attract students towards science. “Because, children love toys and would automatically come to class if you give them one to play with,” he said. ‘Science teacher’ as he is called by his students, Kar began creating low-cost teaching aids by using used and old toys to engage them in simple experiments and improve their scientific temperament and problem-solving abilities.
“I began explaining to them the science behind the toys which made the whole process interesting for them and slowly, the attendance in science classes began to improve,” said Kar who has authored the aspirational curriculum handbook published by BSE.
Kar, who is also an alumnus of the same school, has opened a Pathani Samanta science club in the school where he gives hands-on training to children about various science concepts and experiments. Apart from different equipment, the lab has a telescope for skywatching. In 2020, the lab was recognised as one of the best amongst schools by Vigyan Prasar under the department of Science and Technology.
Among the various innovative approaches that he adopts for science classes, two are ‘Wah to How’ and ‘science behind miracles’, which have also been recognised by the Education Ministry. “In Wah concept, I show them a very interesting experiment. They love it and are curious to know how it happened. I also explain to them the science behind so-called miracles and magic that are shown to people by sadhus and magicians. The aim is to instil in children’s minds that nothing is a miracle,” he explained.
His teaching does not end in the classroom. Every week, Kar creates videos and question banks on physical science and shares them on his YouTube channel and other social media handles, which students can watch without any subscription.