KOCHI: Children have an inquisitive mind and we have to promote scientific temper among them. We should nurture and nourish the spirit of inquisitiveness in their minds,” says Felix Bast, a senior scientist with the Department of Plant Sciences at Central University of Punjab, who was part of the 36th expedition to Antarctica. “My mission is to inculcate scientific temper among the students and motivate the youngsters to love science,” he says.
Felix Bast, a native of Payyannur in Kannur has been spending his vacation delivering lectures at schools and colleges across the state. The focus of the lecture is the need to protect the environment and to help children stay curious and investigate their questions. “ I have interacted with students at various schools in Kannur, MES College Marampilly and U C College Aluva during the past few days. When we present scientific facts before the children through lessons, we deny them an opportunity to investigate and find answers. They are made to believe things taught by the teacher. Instead we should inspire them to think and find solutions,” he told Express.
Felix, who visited Antarctica as part of the 36th Indian Expedition to the coldest continent, was the first Indian scientist to study the bio-albedo effect or the pink algae that blossom on the Antarctican glaciers during the spring and summer turning the glaciers pink landscapes.“The pink algae has thrown scientists into a tizzy as it covers the glaciers and absorbs sunlight. This leads to the warming up of the glaciers and accelerates the melting of glaciers. The melting of the glaciers will lead to an increase in sea level and turn the planet hotter,” he said.
Felix, who completed his BSc Microbiology course with first rank from Kannur University pursued his PhD course at IIT Bombay and won a Japanese scholarship for his research in Marine Biology was honoured by the Union Government with the Inspired teacher award in 2015.
“We all talk about the vanishing green cover and the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But nobody here is concerned about the threat posed by ocean acidification. About 65 per cent of the oxygen is produced by the pico planktons in the oceans. The increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reacting with the ocean water to form carbonic acid. This can kill the picoplanktons which will spell the end of life on earth. We have to sensitise the students about this,” he said.
“We stayed at Bharati station set up by India in the Eastern part of Antarctica and collected specimens for our research. Research students who want to visit Antarctica have to apply to ‘The National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The selected people will have to undergo acclimatization training in the Himalayas for three weeks. Passing through the latitudes of ‘roaring forties, Furious fifties and screaming sixties, which is an unforgettable experience,” said Felix.
