Danuska Da Gama I NT KURIOCITY
Science has invaded every branch of modern life. Most of our day-to-day activities rely on science. Yet, there are many of us who detest it. Vijaykumar Verekar has given over two hundred and twenty five presentations on experiments in high schools, higher secondary schools and children’s camps in Goa and Maharashtra.
He was invited to international conferences on physics in Tokyo, Bangkok and New Delhi. He has published a book of sixty simple experiments titled Chhota Scientist in English and Konkani which has been translated in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and Telugu.
Vijaykumar has been the recipient of several awards including the National Teacher’s Award 2004 besides being the first chairperson of Sanquelim to have directed science dramas and founder of Saahas Academy Goa that has been conducting national trekking expeditions and a scout master.
Excerpts from an interview…
Q: Could you tell us what sparked your interest in the field of science?
One cannot ignore the importance and need of science everywhere. For me ‘science’ is systematic study out of curiosity and inquisitiveness about the environment and nature resulting in curiosity through experiments.
Being a physics student, most of my interest in the subject came from practicals and experiments that were shown and conducted. The idea of conducting experiments was extremely fascinating, as we would discover results and note inferences. After graduation I wasn’t able to go outside Goa to pursue my Masters and took up a job as a science teacher. On receiving my first salary I hosted a grand exhibition in Progress High School from where I will be retiring as vice principal at the end of the month.
That was just the start as later I founded the All Goa Science Teachers Association. I have designed Science Club contests and promoted them all over Goa, guided students on various projects, conducted science camps, etc. A few years ago I came up with a programme where a bus containing science models would travel to various schools. Through this initiative one hundred and fifty science working models were shown at over one hundred and sixty schools in Goa.
That’s how I keep the interest alive and created interest among students too. I have been doing this for the last thirty years and will continue to do so for as long as I can.
Q: You have been invited to various schools to perform experiments under your programme Chhota Scientist. How did this begin?
Experiments are the backbone of science. It gives children joy of discovery as was said by Archimedes. As I designed the Science Club contents I was invited as chief guest to various functions across schools in Goa. Instead of giving speeches and advice to students which to them is boring and heavy, I used the opportunity to arouse interest and instead showed a few experiments. This caught up with many schools and led me to cover over two hundred and fifty schools and higher secondary schools in Goa and Maharashtra. I strongly believe that the use of simple science experiments can inculcate scientific temper, attitude and scientific awareness. Besides, there is spirit of enquiry, inquisitiveness to explore science through experimentation and the experience of joy of discovery.
Q: Could you tell us about the experiments you conduct?
I use small things for the experiments I conduct when I go to institutions as I believe- small is beautiful. I have a school bag that contains pet bottles, paper, glass, straws, rubber tubes, balloons, candle, matches, etc. Most experiments propagate message like ‘save water’, etc. Physics experiments are the best as they are simple and fast. Chemistry experiments can be hazardous for students to do as they involve chemicals while biology experiments display results after a long time. Earlier the experiments would go on for three hours, but now I have reduced the duration to two and a half hours.
Q: How will these experiments benefit students?
Scientific experiments provide direction to students’ thoughts. They give rise to awareness on the subject and create curiosity among students. As rut learning is practiced amongst the majority of students, the experiments I show are easy to understand and can be remembered for life.
Q: What are your thoughts on the level of scientific awareness amongst students?
An effort to create awareness is definitely being made. There are various platforms for students like Western India Science Fair, Jawaharlal Nehru National exhibition and other science exhibitions where students can showcase their scientific works, projects, studies, etc. There is also a scheme wherein Rs 5000 is provided to a child for being innovative.
But for all of this to become successful, a teacher’s role is very important. A teacher should monitor and mentor a student well. There is no doubt that students are talented, the only problem is that they are not mentored in the right way. The media these days has exposed students in terms of very sphere. They question and seek to find answers. Children enjoy science today much more than before, having said that, their knowledge is very shallow.
I want students to take interest in science and follow a scientific career. Building a scientific attitude is written in our preamble. We have to conduct a lot of programmes to popularise science.