Teacher Training Programme

Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre conducted 3-day Teacher’s Training Program-I on 20, 21, 22nd July 2009, (from 9.30 to 5.00 p.m. for the three days) in the premises, for 10 Teacher’s (teaching Std. I to VII) from Nav Nirmiti Community Learning Centre, Powai, Mumbai. The teachers mainly teach schools located in hilly, tribal areas. The teachers were taken through various state of the art seven labs of the Centre. The very exciting, interesting and engrossing audio-visual aids, models in the different sciences were demonstrated to them as also the theoretical aspects in the various sciences viz. physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences were made simple to them. These useful teaching aids would certainly enable the teachers to effectively generate and sustain interest in the students studying in these tribal areas

Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre conducted 2-days Residential Teacher’s Training Program-II on 15th and 16th September 2009 (from 9.30 to 5.00 p.m. for these two days) at J.P.Naik Grameen Mahila Vikasani, Khed- Shivapur, Tal Haveli, Dist Pune, for the Science and Maths teachers of Std. VIII (Marathi Medium) coming from the rural area schools. The Program was focused on New Topics from revised syllabus of Science and Maths – Std VIII (Marathi Medium). 12 Teachers from rural area schools participated in this Program. The theoretical lectures on these topics were delivered by Mrs. Alka Sathe (Science), Dr. (Mrs.) Sushama Joag (Chemistry), Shri. V.D.Godbole (Maths), Mr. Amit Purandare (Astronomy). Apart from these lectures, lab sessions were conducted by Dr. Ramesh Joshi (Physics), Mrs. Bharati Baxi (Biology), Ms Poonam Chavan (Chemistry). Mr. Amit Purandare (Astronomy) also conducted on 15th September 2009 evening the Akashdarshan (sky gazing/ mapping) program from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. for the teachers. The teachers who participated in the Program found this 2 days Training Program to be highly useful. Many important theoretical and practical aspects- (as well as the lacunas existing in the syllabus) for these subjects were made clear to them which would enable them to make their teaching more effective in their schools.

Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre conducted Teacher’s Training Program-III on 22nd and 23rd September 2009 (from 9.30 to 5.00 p.m. for these two days) in the premises, for the Science and Maths teachers of Std. VIII (English Medium) coming from and around Pune schools. 34 Teachers from various schools participated in this Program. The focus of the Program was on the New Topics from revised syllabus of Science and Maths – Std VIII. Mrs. Alka Sathe (Science), Dr. (Mrs.) Sushama Joag (Chemistry), Shri. V.D.Godbole (Maths), Dr. Ramesh Joshi (Physics) emphasized many important theoretical and practical aspects- and also brought forth, before the teachers, the existing lacunas in the syllabus, in the various subjects. Mr. Amit Purandare (Astronomy) give a very interesting lecture with the help of power point presentation, on the topic- solar system and beyond. The teachers were also taken through an interesting, absorbing two hour Lab session for each of these two days, for the subjects Physics, Maths, Biology, Chemistry. Mrs. Bharti Baxi (Biology), Ms Jasmine (Physics), Ms Poonam Chavan (Chemistry), Mrs. Rutuja Chikate (Maths) conducted the lab sessions. These lab sessions gave the teachers a good exposure to get more clarity on the conceptual/basic aspects of their various subjects.

Archieve

Teachers Training Programme was conducted on "Effective use of computers in teaching science and innovative electronics experiments " on 17th and 18th sep 2008, at Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre Pune -16. 23 teachers from different schools participated in this unique TTP programme. Exploratory gave the training on how to make concepts in science and mathematics easier by using compurers. Exploratory has given one CD to each teacher, demonstrating simple concepts of science and mathematics. In electronics teachers performed experiments based on Thermister and Diode charecteristics and how to draw the graph. In addition to this they have given one kit to explain Ohm's law in easier way. Zilla Parishad approved the programme through the letter. The coverage was published ib DNA news paper on 9th Aug 08.

Teachers Training Programme was organized on "Teaching Physics and Chemistry through Demo experiments" on 7th and 8th Aug 2008, at Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre Pune -16. The programme oriented teachers training at secondory level, towards using Demo experiments in physics and chemistry in the class. 72 teachers participated. Dr. R. S. Joshi, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Patil, Tarang Instruments, Dr. Nandu Phadake, Dr. Pol facilitated as resource persons. Demo experiments impart visual understanding to the children. The abstract concepts can be made easy through the experiments. Zilla Parishad approved the programme through the letter. The coverage was published ib DNA news paper on 9th Aug 08.

We have organised a Teacher's Training Program for two days on "Teaching Physics and Chemistry through Demo Experiments" on 7th and 8th Aug 08 at Muktangan ExploratoryScience Centre, Pune -16. The programme orients teachers towards using demo experiments in Physics and Chemistry in the class.

Demo experiments in the class room enables students understand better.

Teacher training

Changing over from the conventional science teaching and learning program presently practiced in our schools and colleges to the Exploratory way of learning science would imply a paradigm shift in the altitude of teachers and in their method of teaching.

To facilitate this change over in Maharashtra, we decided to organize teacher training and teacher orientation programs. Science teachers from Municipal schools in Pune were oriented year before last. We propose to organize four teacher orientation programs for schoolteachers; one each in Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences and Mathematics, twice a year. We would enroll 40 teachers for each of these orientation programs.

Exciting Summer Program for the Talented School Students :

In order to promote talent, Exploratory has been organizing, since its inception, exciting summer program for talented students form schools in Pune. We conduct a talent search examination in various schools in Pune and select 60 students. The summer program lasts for 15 days in the summer. In the morning session, lasting over three hours, eminent scientists establish a dialogue with these children. These lectures are intended to broaden the horizon of children, to excite their curiosity, to clarify some of their doubts and more importantly to provide an opportunity to children to ask questions in order to clarify their doubts.

In the afternoon session, these children play in the Exploratory until 4.00 p.m.

Training for different competitive examinations

1. Homi Bhabha young scientist
2. M.T.S.
3. N.T.S. Etc.

Seminars

We will be conducting various seminars, lectures. The schedules of the same will be widely circulated and publicized.