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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Science Olympiads
Integrating spirituality with education
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Science Olympiads
AFTER the Beijing Olympics, Indians have performed well at the International Olympiads which held recently in various subjects like physics, chemistry and biology. In physics, out of five students who participated, four have won gold and one silver medal. Similarly, the number of medals won in chemistry is three silver and one bronze and in Biology is one gold, two silver and one bronze, with each participant winning a medal. Anupam Dev Goel of Sangrur has distinguished himself in this region by securing a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad.
To prepare Indian students to participate in these Olympaids, a major programme has been undertaken by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, in collaboration with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). It is amply supported by the Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India. India has been performing exceedingly well since its participation in these International Olympiads (IOs)—Maths-1989, Physcis-1998, Chemistry and Astronomy-1999 and Biology-2000. This year, examination in Junior Science has also been introduced. Prof Vijay A. Singh, National Co-ordinator, Science Olympiads, HBCSE, Mumbai, avers, “Almost every Indian student who has participated in IOs has secured a medal. The strike rate is 100 per cent for students in physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy.” The first compulsory stage leading to participation in IOs are the National Standard Examinations (NSEs) in physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy. These are conducted annually by IAPT, in collaboration with other such all-India subject associations, at about 900 centres spread throughout the country. There is a separate board for mathematics. Students of Classes VIII, IX, X, XI and XII (science stream) of recognised institutions are eligible to participate in these examinations. The syllabus for NSEs is broadly equivalent to that of Classes XI and XII. For the junior-level astronomy and junior science exams, the syllabus generally pertains to Classes VIII, IX and X. Question papers are of multiple-choice type, but in physics a component of 10 short-answer-type questions or problems is also included. The examination in astronomy is conducted at both junior and senior levels, while the examination at junior level is conducted in science only. A student may appear in more than one subject. All these exams will be held on November 23, 2008, at different timings. For more details and registration by schools, Prof M.L. Oglapurkar of Pune may be contacted at iapt@vsnl.net. On the basis of their national ranking in NSEs, about 250-300 top students are selected in each subject who receive a Certificate of Merit and also qualify to appear for the Indian National Olympiad Examinations (INOEs) at Stage II. These are organised by HBCSE in collaboration with IAPT, etc., and are held at about 15 centres in the country. These are conducted on separate days, so that an eligible student can appear in more than one subject. Based on their performance in these INOEs, about 35 students are short-listed in each subject and are awarded prizes and gold medals by the respective subject associations. At Stage III, these short-listed students in each subject are invited to the Orientation-cum-Selection Camps at HBCSE, all expenses being borne by the government. Due care is taken that camp dates do not overlap with the national level competitive exams. Experts in various subjects impart intensive training in both the theoretical aspects and experimental skills. At Stage IV, out of about 35 students in each subject, five from physics, four from chemistry and four from biology constitute teams to represent India at International Olympiads. Almost similar procedure is followed to select astronomy and junior science students. The top five Class XI students who appear for the International Physics Olympiad become eligible to appear for the Asian Physics Olympiad. Finally, for Stage V, the selected teams further undergo rigorous training programme at HBCSE under nationally selected specialists of different subjects, keeping in view the standards of IOs. Special laboratories have been developed at HBCSE for the purpose. These teams are then sent to various countries accompanied by 2 teacher-leaders and one scientific observer in each subject. Those who cannot reach the stage of competing in the national and international Olympiads, incentives in the form of certificates and prizes are available at institutional and state levels. NSEs conducted by IAPT are otherwise also of a high standard and provide ample training to students to succeed in competitive exams. In a circular issued by CBSE last year to various schools affiliated to it in the country, it urged the schools to ensure that “more and more students are encouraged to participate in activities like Olympaids”.
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Integrating spirituality with education
Spiritual development enables the child to discover his/her inherent divinity. It can be achieved through value-based education, philosophy, yogic techniques, etc. Thus, educators should be profoundly concerned with the spiritual growth of students.
The spiritual dimension of the self is its ontological presence, its essential nature. In fact, what we have termed essence is what the various philosophies, religions and spiritual teachings have called “spirit”. So, we see that spirit is not something otherworldly and ephemeral; it is actually our fundamental nature, the ultimate truth of ourselves. Spiritual development means the discovery and integration of our essential presence in our experience of ourselves. This presence forms the ground for our wholeness and spiritual development can also be seen as the movement towards wholeness. The process of spiritual development can be divided into two complementary facets—one is the self-realisation of Being in its various aspects and manifestations, while the other is the integration of this self-realisation in everyday life. Spirituality is much more than belief or emotion. It is a way of life, a way of looking at one’s environment. It is a worldview of spirituality that can differ from person to person. But there are some common characteristics. The results of increased spirituality are sense of well-being, being self-actualised and being at peace. Being spiritual automatically reduces worry and fears, In addition, spirituality and related processes of spiritual development such as daily prayer, regular attendance at religious services have been related to a wide range of important outcomes such as improved physical health, healthier lifestyles and less risky behaviour, less depression, etc. Educators today know the impact that issues such as health, self-esteem and choices in non-academic behavior can have on a student’s ability to learn. Based on the connection between one’s spiritual development and these various outcome measures, spirituality should be a topic addressed in schools. However, many activities normally associated with spiritual development are not the type that educators can advocate in a public school setting. Fortunately, there are alternatives by which spiritual development can be addressed without crossing the critical line separating religion and public activity. One of the first steps educators can take to address the spiritual development of their students is to build an environment conducive to learning. Activities that increase self-awareness, strengthen relationship with others and build a connection to the universe, while remaining free of religious doctrine, are more appropriate for a school setting. Rather than developing courses specifically focused on spiritual development, appropriate activities should be incorporated into the classroom, regardless of subject area. The thought for the day activity is another lesson that could be used at this stage. Quotations from a variety of sources, both secular and religious, can be discussed at the beginning of each day as a stimulus to encourage students to focus on developing a particular virtue or value for the day. Spiritual journaling, whereby students are encouraged to write their beliefs and experiential knowledge of themselves, can be used at any stage to increase and/or document spiritual progress. Integrating a spiritual journal into the school curriculum could be a technique for increasing the student’s awareness of personal taste. It would also require that school coordinated with families, religious organisations and other community institutions to provide a full range of spiritual development activities. However, all such activities are meaningless, if the climate is not conducive to learning.
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Campus Notes
Dr V. K. Jain, dean (academic affairs) at Pt
B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences was unanimously elected president of the Indian Association for Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS for the year 2009-2010 at the 32nd national conference of the association held at Kodaikanal recently.
Dr
Jain, who is senior professor and head, department of skin and VD at
PGIMS, Rohtak, has also served as vice-president of the association in 2006-07. He was the organising chairperson of ASTICON-2007, which was held at
Rohtak. The PGIMS PRO, Dr N.K.Maggu, said it was for the first time that somebody from Haryana had been elected the president of the association. Dr Rajput awarded
fellowship
Dr Rajesh
Rajput, a senior faculty member at the Department of Medicine of PGIMS, Pt B.D.Sharma University of Health Sciences,
Rohtak, has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine
(FIACM). The fellowship was awarded to Dr Rajput at the annual conference of the academy held in Hyderabad recently. Dr Rajput has also been selected for the Fellowship of Indian College of Physicians
(FICP) and will be awarded medal and scroll at the annual conference of the Association of Physicians of India (API) to be held in January next. He is the youngest physician to receive the coveted FICP fellowship. An MD in medicine and DM in endocrinology, Dr Rajput is the first endocrinologist of the institute. A recipient of A.R.Seth gold medal for best research paper in 2007, this young endocrinologist has nearly 50 research publications in various national and international journals to his credit. — Contributed by Sunit Dhawan
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Finance The Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India, Northern India Regional Council, ICWAI Bhawan, 3, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003 1) Foundation Course 2) Intermediate Course Eligibility: For 1: 10+2. Management National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Vihar Lake, PO NITIE, Mumbai 400087 (Mah) (M/o
HRD, GoI) www.nitie.edu PG Diploma (2 years): Eligibility: BE / BTech (Ist Div) in any branch with valid CAT scores. Application Form: Apply online Details: Employment News (11 – 17 October 2008) / Website Application Deadline: 12 November 2008 University of Delhi, Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi 110007 1) MBA Management of Services (2 years, Full Time) Eligibility: Bachelors degree in Arts / Commerce / Social Sc (50%) / Sciences (55%); Maths / Statistics (60%) / Med / Engg / Tech (60% / CGPA 6.00 on scale of 10.00) / Masters Degree / 2nd Degree (60%). Selection: Admission Test: 11 January 2009 Application Deadline: 01 December 2008 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Devghat, Jhalwa, Allahabad 211012 (UP) www.iiita.ac.in 1) MBA (IT) (2 years) Eligibility: Selection: Entrance Test & Interview: For 1: 21 – 22 February ‘09 Application Form & Details: Website Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Shela, Ahmedabad 380058 (Guj) PG Diploma in Mgmt (Communication) (2 years, FT) Eligibility: Bachelors degree Selection: CAT 2008 & Admission Test (MICAT); GE; Interview Details: Website Admission Deadline: 20 January 2009 Medicine Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068 PG Diploma in Acupuncture (1 year) Eligibility: Medical graduates (Allopathy / Ayurveda / Unani / Siddha / Homeopathy / Yoga / Naturopathy) Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 31 October 2008. Recruitment Staff Selection Commission, Block No 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003 Clerks Grade Limited Departmental Exam 2008 (Group ‘D’ Staff only) 1) Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service Eligibility: 10+2 / Group ‘D’ employees holding Group ‘D’ post on regular basis (minimum 5 years) Exam: 18 January 2009 Details: Employment News (11 - 17 October 2008) Application Deadline: 07 November 2008 Scholarships East-West Center, Award Services Office, Burns Hall 2066, 1601 East-West Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601, USA East-West Centre Graduate Degree Fellowship Program Eligibility: TOFEL / IELTS; GMAT /GRE as per university requirement Fellowship: Tuition fees, graduate residence hall room costs, health insurance, book allowance, partial living stipend. Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 01 November 2008 Sciences Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Po Bag 10502, New Delhi 110067 PhD in Nuclear Physics / Materials Sc / Atomic Physics / Radiation Biology Eligibility: MSc in Physics; CSIR-UGC NET (JRF) qualified Selection: Interview: 03 November 2008 Application Form: Download from website Details: Employment News (11 – 17 October 2008) / Website University Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalainagar, 608002 (TN) 1) Foundation Programmes 2) UG Programmes 3) PG Programmes 4) Law Programmes 5) Diploma & PG Diploma Programmes 6) Certificate Programmes 7) Library Science Programmes 8) Agri-Related Programmes 9) Health Science Programmes 10) Pharmacy Programmes 11) Yoga Programmes 12) IT Related Programmes 13) Mgmt Programmes 14) Music Programmes (Approved by Distance Education Council) Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 05 November 2008 Maharishi Markandeshwar University, MM Institue of Distance Education, Mullana, Ambala 133203 (Har) Bachelors Degree Programmes (Dist): BA, BCom, BTS, BCA, BSc, BMLT, BTech Civil (Constr/ Water Res Engg), BTech Mech (Comp integr Mfg), BLISc Diploma Courses Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 25 October 2008
— Pervin Malhotra
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