Wow! Science brings out creative best of kids

Updated on: Thursday, February 16, 2012

It was a flurry of questions, inquisitive glances and bewildered looks abounding at the Yellow Train School in Coimbatore as the Waldorf method-modeled centre conducted their WOW Science programme, designed to kindle the kids' imagination.

Adapted over 3 months, the event saw children experimenting, enquiring and putting their minds together to work on a series of projects and activities in a first for the city kids aged 7 and above.

Rema Menon, program coordinator and teacher at Yellow Train, sharing an insight into the innovative learning program, said, “Right from a very early age, children are subjected to a theoretical curriculum, without much hands-on training or being taught a practical approach.

This program aimed at encouraging them to think beyond convention, bridging the gap so children could explore their areas of interest. During live demo classes when we showed them a fish swimming, and then dissected it, we noticed their curiosity was piqued and they enjoyed it.

That's how WOW Science - a brainchild of mine and another parent, Mrs. Karuna - happened. We shortlisted project topics and gave them to the kids, which they also researched at home.”

“We've had parents calling up to tell us their son or daughter is now enthusiastically experimenting around the house all the time!” added Rema Menon. The colourful displays gracing the demonstration at the school included themes like, the Origin of the Earth and the Big Bang Theory, simple circuit construction and observation of amoebas and cells with a microscope.

The children also with phenomenon magnetism and electricity and learnt how to operate a motor. One boy even remarked he could draw circles faster if he attached the pen refill to the rotating machine - talk about new learning!

Santhya Vikram, founder of Yellow Train said, “We believe in the premise that science is not contained in books, but in songs, tales, observing life around you, such as the setting of the sun or the moon rising.

When we explained Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to the kids and how the cycle comprised the fish-crocodile-dinosaurs-birds-monkeys-human chain, we had to deal with responses, like 'But my mom told me Vishnu and Brahma made us!' and 'Didn't God create the Universe?'

With a laugh, Santhya adds, “I'm happy we helped the kids expand their realm of creativity,sowing seeds to make them think and observe more, and have filled their mind with enough questions, if not answers!”

As the kids happily collected their mementos and beamed with pride looking at their creations, Vikas Zaveri, a parent summed up his take on the Wow Science Fair: “It was a really praise-worthy initiative where the kids learnt acquired so much knowledge beyond books. My daughter, Heysha is enlightened in the true sense, after this experience!”

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