SCIENCE CLUB

     INTRODUCTION

            The scientific and technological advancement of today is a long forward journey from Stone Age. As we live in an age of science, it is essential that the student have deep insight into the background of science. People seem to possess the seeds of creativeness but climate for its germination is absent. It is generally seen that our school programs are not giving due place to scientific experiences and proper environment. Schools lay too much of emphasis on rigidity and traditionalism.

            In India, a science club movement was started some years back, in order to provide financial help to the science club, the NCERT has been giving a non recurring grant. However, the quality of work done in the science club is very unsatisfactory. The emphasis continues to be on the preparation of charts, models, improvisation of the same type of equipments like periscope, Newton’s colour disk, kaleidoscope, davy’s safety lamp etc.

            In order to make science club more effective, the NCERT organize science club sponsor’s workshop. In these workshop some such activities are organized which are desired to be started in science clubs.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

Each individual has his own interests, talents and abilities. Even a progressive syllabus fails to cater to the needs of each. Science educators, now a days are found to exhibit growing interest and means of stimulating group participation and mobilizing interest in learning science. Organizing science clubs is one among such activities.

            Learning by doing and learning by living are two essentials of learning science. Children are interested in making things, breaking things and handing things. But the curriculum does not satisfy this usage. In the classroom everything is done in a formal, artificial and controlled atmosphere. This will never give the child an 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 inculcation of scientific attitude and a 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.

            Through activities of science club, learning of science becomes joyful. The science club caters to freedom for expression. Whereas the classroom atmosphere leads to conformity and repression while activity participating in a science club students organize thought and translate these into action and there by develop a zealous enthusiasm to strive for the cause of scientific enterprise.

            The importance of science club in schools in words of Dr.W.Davis is, “if the future belongs to youth and to science, the there is a vastly more important place for science clubs, in the scheme of things”.

TYPES OF SCIENCE CLUB

Broadly speaking science clubs can be classified as

i.          The specialized interest science clubs

In this category the clubs take up such projects which deal with some specialized subject. Such clubs are Radio Club, Photographic Club, Nature Study Club, Aviation club, Astronomical club etc.

ii.          General science club

These clubs take up a type of science activity and such clubs are generally known as chemical society, zoological society, botany club, physics association etc.

Through both types of club have their advantages but experience has shown that specialized clubs are only short lived and so a science teacher should prefer general science club. He can undertake some specialized activity as a part of programme of such a general science club for a short duration of a time.

OBJECTIVES OF SCIENCE CLUB

1. To develop a general interest in science.
2. To inculcate scientific attitude and provide opportunities for training in scientific method.
3. To develop interest in scientific hobbies.
4. To develop habits of exploration and creative faculties.
5. To encourage individual and group activities.
6. To develop in children a sense of healthy competition.
7. To make the student and public science minded.
8. To stimulate active participation and initiative among students in the learning process.
9. To keep the students in touch with the recent advances in science.
10. To provide challenging opportunities to the gifted.

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. Through 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. The discussion may be followed by a business meeting in which office be areas are chosen. Every science club should have its own constitution. There should be a general body and an executive body. The principal or headmasters should be the patron and science teachers should be the sponsors. Executive members such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, librarian, publicity officer, etc. are chosen from among the student members. The executive committee has to chalk out programmes. The activities of the club should be taken up by the students themselves. There should be regular meetings, discussions, planning, feedback, etc.

ACTIVITIES OF THE SCIENCE CLUB

1. Organizing lectures, debates, seminars, symposia etc.
2. Holding science exhibition and fairs.
3. Celebrating birth days of eminent scientists.
4. Participating in science fairs.
5. Conducting visual programmes of scientific interest.
6. Arranging visits of places of scientific interest.
7. Preparing of charts, posters, models etc.
8. Developing school garden.
9. Displaying science news.
10. Plating and growing trees and plants.
11. Improvising and preparing hand-made apparatus.
12. Collecting specimens and arranging them in the museum.
13. Managing first and squad.
14. Visiting other science clubs.
15. Maintaining bulletin board.
16. Maintaining an aquarium.
17. Celebrating science days.
18. General reading of scientific literature.
19. Publishing school science magazine.
20. Preparing albums and conducting projects.

CONCLUSION

            To channelize the energies of students and to make proper use of talent of the student’s science clubs may be organized in schools. Such a club then forms the backbone of the co-curricular activities in the school. Such clubs, if properly organized, will be of great help to create interest in teaching of science and so now the importance and educational values of such clubs is duly recognized. Such provide better chances to acquaint the students with various fact and principles of science. Students can take up any project or a scientific hobby of his choice while participating in a science club activities help to link his theoretical knowledge to the outside world and he gets more opportunities for self expression and creativity.

REFERENCE

1. Modern Science Teaching                        -           R.C.Sharma.
2. Teaching of Science                                 -           M.S.Yadan.
3. Science Education                                    -           Prof.A.Faziluddin.
4. Methods of Teaching Biology                  -           K.Subarao.