6 co-curricular activities in science

Co-Curricular Activities in Science

1. Co-curricular   Activities in Science Dr . Jaganmohana Rao Gurugubelli Faculty of Education MITE, Kohima

2. Co-curricular  activities Co-curricular activities are an important part of the curriculum that allows students to develop specific skills or demonstrate their non academic abilities. These activities are compulsory activities which are important for every child to participate. Co-curricular activities are designed and balanced with academic curriculum so that every student gets to learn beyond subjects. Co-curricular activities are meant to bring social skills, intellectual skills, moral values, personality progress and character appeal in students. It includes athletics, cultural events, Library activities, scientific experiment activities in laboratory, classroom activities, creative arts and meditation etc.

3. Meaning of Co-curricular Activities Co-curricular Activities are defined as the activities that enable to supplement and complement the curricular  or main syllabi activities. These are the very important part and parcel of educational institutions to develop the students’ personality as well as to strengthen the classroom learning. Co-curricular activities (CCAs) are the components of non-academic curriculum  helps to develop various facets of the personality development of the  child and students. For all-round development of the child, there is a need of emotional, physical, spiritual and moral development that is  complemented and supplemented by Co-curricular Activities .

4. Types of Co-curricular Activities Science Clubs Science Fairs/Exhibitions Field Trips/ Educational Tours Science Museums Science Projects Debate and discussion Story writing competition Essay writing competition Writes ups for school magazine Preparation of chart & models Album making Photography Clay modeling Toy making Organization exhibitions. Celebration of festival

5. Science C lub The word ‘Science Club’ denotes association of young enthusiasts interested in furthering their knowledge of science through plethora of activities. In other words, a science club could be defined as a platform of young enthusiasts or young scientists to share acquired knowledge and to engage in creative activities in science for joy and understanding of scientific principles. Thus , science clubs in schools could be considered as an extension of classroom teaching for better understanding and application of knowledge. It also makes the task of a teacher easier in the classroom.

6. Objectives of a science club To develop creativity among students To enable the students to apply their knowledge of science into daily life situations To encourage critical thinking To inculcate scientific attitude and provide opportunities for training in scientific method To develop interest in scientific hobbies like photography To have healthy academic interaction between the students and science teachers To motivate the students to work in cooperation with each other

7. Organization of the Club

8. Science Fairs/Exhibition Science fair is an important activity to present the efforts of science students to others. A science fair develops a scientific attitude and interest among the people involved. Young students get a chance to meet the people of all ages and present their projects to them. This exposure to varied group of people acts as an impetus to the growth and development of their talent. Science fairs and exhibitions should be an annual feature of the school. Further, intra-school fairs and exhibitions can also be organized. Besides projects, science fairs can have many other types of activities which are debates, talks by experts, group discussions, essay competitions, quiz, film shows, puppet shows, etc.

9. Objectives of Science Fairs To encourage public interest in science To develop scientific hobbies and creativity among students To encourage and motivate the students to try out their ideas into exhibits and projects To develop relationship between parents, society and school To identify and give impetus to young scientists To create awareness about the correlation between science and daily life

10. Science Educational Tour/Field Trip It is the visit of students accompanied by teachers to the places of historical, scientific, cultural, geographical, educational and national interests. Educational tours provide the real experience in natural settings and thus, widen the view points of students. They are able to acquire through knowledge by observation and imagination. An educational tour also leads to the development of cooperation, leadership, group living, etc. Thus, learning becomes more interesting, more accurate and meaningful by the participation of students in educational tours/excursion.

11. Objectives of Science Educational Tours/ Field Trip Following are the main objectives of a science educational tour/Field Trip: To provide first hand observation and experience To provide knowledge regarding all those things which cannot be shown in the class rooms easily To create an interest in scientific subjects To draw conclusions from the exercise conducted in a natural environment To develop the observation skills of students To teach the students how to make a proper use of a vacation or leisure time

12. SCIENCE MUSEUMS Museums are those places where different objects and specimens are assembled, constructed, improvised, labeled and displayed. Museums can be organized for all the subjects, but here we are concerned with science museums. For science related objects, there are two types of museums—science museums and natural history museums . The main objectives of organizing a science museum are : To evoke a sense of curiosity in the students To provide them with a variety of experiences To develop an appreciation for the beauty of nature To display and exhibit such objects or specimens which are difficult to be found To present the complex processes in a simplified manner

13. Need & Importance of Co-curricular Activities Co-curricular activities are an essential part of school life and help in enhancing the learning process of students at school. Co-Curricular activities are compulsory activities that are important for every student to participate in. These activities are designed and balanced with the academic curriculum so that every student gets to learn beyond subjects . To Develop Learning Experience To Develop observation skills To Develop better understanding about concepts To Develop physical & Mental Health To Develop sense of responsibility & confidence To Develop Values and Skills To provide better Educational Opportunities

14. THANK YOU