Academy for Science & Environmental Education, Mandya Annual Report : 2008-09 I. 15-4-2008 to 29-4-2008, Science Summer Camp A Science Summer camp was organized from 15-4-2008 to 29-4-2008 for Children. Joyful learning of Science, Preparation of Science models, fun with math’s & Science, origami, popup technology, Science skits, Popular science lectures, Science film shows were the major events of this camp.Dr.Harish Bhat from IISc,Bangalore, Sri Narayanaswamy, DCF, Mandya, Prof M.R.Nagaraju, C. Krishnegowda, lecturer in Physics, Thimmappa, science teacher, Ravi Malavalli, an artist, Dr.B.K.Suresh,General Surgeon, Dr.Shivakumara swamy, Dental Surgeon, S.Lokesh,BRP,Mandya were participated as resource persons. Children from Mandya city and neighboring villages were the participants. II. 22-4-2008 , Tuesday. The Earth Day The earth day was celebrated at Gandhi Bhavan,Mandya. Dr.Keshavaprasad of GSI and member of Antarctica expedition delivered earth day lecture on ‘The Ice Continent Antarctica’. A skit on Big bang theory of origin of earth was performed by school children during the event. III. 12-8-2008, Tuesday. National Children Science CongressDistrict level Teachers Training Workshop District level Teachers Training Workshop to train teachers regarding National Children Science Congress was held on this day at Gandhi Bhavan,Mandya. Sri.Siddaraju,chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya inaugurated the function. He stressedd the role of teachers in the motivation of students towards the Scientific research. He also explained the various projects can be taken up by the students for the children science congress under the sub themes Hydrosphere, biosphere, noosphere etc. Dr.Shamsunder and Dr.Gayakwad of NIE, Mysore suggested the different projects can be selected under the sub theme energy. They also explained the methodologies to be followed for the study. Teachers from different schools of the district participated in the training Programme. IV. 20-8-2008, Monday, National Environmental Awareness Campaign A Consultation and experience sharing campaign regarding the preparation of projects for National environmental awareness campaign was held on 20-8-2008 at Gandhi Bhavan, Manday. Al Gore’s documentary film an inconvenient truth was screened during the event. Sri.Siddaraju,chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya gave a power point presentation on Global warming. Dr.Raghupathi and Sri.Venkatesh of Zonal research Station, V.C farm, Mandya explained the methods in the preparation of projects for National environmental awareness campaign. III. 22-9-2007, Saturday, National Science day & National technology day National Science day & National technology day was celebrated on this day at Gandhi Bhavan, Mandya. The theme of the programme was More crop per drop. Sri. Siddaraju, Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya inaugurated the programme. In his inaugural address he said that with the current usage quantity of water we can grow the crops three times of the present yield, if the water management is scientifically made. Dr.Syed Anwarullah from Zonal research Station,V.C.Canal Farm, Mandya (University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore) advocated the multi crop system to solve the water crisis 1

& also the malnutrition problems. He suggested the Sree system of cultivation of paddy to save the water & to minimize the soil erosion. Sri Hadya Rameshraju, a natural farming advocate said that crops can be grown in Natural farming by using only 20% of water against the conventional agricultural practices. Understanding & Coordination with the nature is the main principle of natural farming, he said.Smt.T.O.Sunandamma, Land development officer,CADA presided over the function. Dr.L.Prasannakumar, Asst.Professor,PES Engineering college, Mandya distributed the prizes. Video shows regarding the Integrated Agriculture and Rain water harvestation was arranged during the occasion IV. 15-10-2007, Monday, National Science day & National technology day National Science day & National technology day was celebrated on this day at Govt.Preuniversity College, Bannur,Mysore District.. The theme of the programme was More crop per drop. Smt. B.J.Mamatha,Secretary, Academy for Science & Environmental Education, Mandya inaugurated the programme. Water is a precious gift of nature, we have to use it judicially. Unscientific usage of water makes our land saline, she said. Dr.L.Prasannakumar, Asst. Professor, PES Engineering college, Mandya said in his lecture that we have not bothered about the proper usage of water & its conservation. The future will be chaotic, if we not awakened today regarding the conservation of this precious liquid. Sri Hadya Rameshraju, a natural farming advocate requested the students to impress upon their parents to adopt natural farming as it not only consumes less water, but also it requires less expenditure. Sri H.Naresh of Nirmithi Kendra, Mandya opined that this type of programmes will create awareness among the rural children. Video shows regarding the Integrated Agriculture and Rain water harvestation was arranged during the occasion. V. 16-10-2007, Tuesday, National Science day & National technology day National Science day & National technology day was celebrated on this day at PES Girls Preuniversity College, Pandavapura, Mandya District.. Sri. Siddaraju, Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya inaugurated the programme. The modern agriculture is machanised now & the integrated approach of agriculture is totally ignored. Agriculture has to be reshaped with the inculcation of poultry, animal husbandry & horticulture crops, he said. Dr.Raghupathi from Zonal research Station,V.C.Canal Farm, Mandya (University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore), in his lecture said that the Multi Crop system and Sree system in paddy cultivation will reduce the water consumption crop cultivation. Dr.L.Prasannakumar, Asst.Professor,PES Engineering college, Mandya said that as we are getting our water today from reservoirs, we are neglecting the conservative measures. If the trend continued`as such our future will be pathetic he said. Video shows regarding the Integrated Agriculture and Rain water harvestation was arranged during the occasion. VI. 12-11-2007 Monday National Children Science Congress-District Convention District convention of National Children Science Congress was held on this day at PES Girls Preuniversity College, Pandavapura, Mandya District. Sri Kollegala Sharma, Popular Science writer from Mysore inaugurated the function. By doing Scientific projects, the children can learn research methodologies from the childhood itself. The Teachers & Students have to develop inclination towards the study of environmental concepts to adopt the conservation strategies, he said. Sri Prasad from Transport department stressed on the need of reform in science education. He said that he was actively participated in the chidren science congress when he was a teacher & still he has not lost interest towards the science programmes. 2

Valedictory function was held during the evening. Sri N.Kumaraswamy, Joint Director of Public Instruction distributed the Prizes. Sri. Manjunath, Zilla Panchayat Member, Siddaraju, CAO, Zilla Panchayat,Mandya & Dr.L.Prasannakumar, Asst.Professor,PES Engineering college, Mandya were on the dias. The guide teachers were honoured on the occasion. VII. 24-11-2007 Saturday District Lvel Science Quiz Competition A District Lvel Science Quiz Competition for High School students was conducted in collaboration with the Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat & Department of Public Instruction on this day. In the valedictory address Sri M.P.Madegowda,Block Education Officer, Mandya appealed the teachers to participate actively in the science activities. Sri.Lingaraju, Education Officer, DDPI Office, Mandya spoke about the importance of Science Quiz Programmes. Sri Siddaraju, CAO, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya distributed the prizes. Sri Naresh of Nirmithi Kendra and others were on the dias. VIII. 10-1-2008 Thursday International year of Planet Earth- Inauguration The Inauguration of the International year of Planet Earth celebrations was held on this day. A jatha on this occasion was inaugurated by Sri T.R.Anantharamu, Senior Geologist, Geological survey of India, Bangalore.Abut 1200 students,teachers & public were participated in the procession. Later a popular science lecture on Global warming was delivered by Sri T.R.Anantharamu at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Kalamandira,Mandya. About 900 students & teachers were attended the programme. Documentary films on Volcano’s & Antarctiac Ice melting were shown during the programme. Dr.Ramalingaih, Ex-Principal, PES Engineering College,Mandya, Sri Siddaraju, CAO, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya, Sri. A.Somashekar, DDPI, Mandya, Dr.L.Prasannakumar, Asst.Professor,PES Engineering college, Mandya & others were on the dias. IX. 18-1-2008 Friday District Level Sampratha Training The District Level Sampratha (Resource:practical Training & Communication) Training was held on this day at Block Resource Centre, Mandya in collaboration with the Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat & Department of Public Instruction, Mandya. The Programme was inaugurated by Sri. A.Somashekar, DDPI, Mandya. He requested the teachers to update their knowledge continuously to face the challenges in the field of teaching. Sri Siddaraju,CAO,Z.P,Mandya in his presidential address said, in the days of information revolution teachers has to use innovative methodologies in teaching to equip their students to the competitive world. Science is not a mere subject of study, it should be the way of life also he narrated. He appealed the teachers to inculcate scientific temperament among the students. Prof.Ramalingaiah, Prof. C.P.Nagaraju, Prashanthbabu & others participated as resource persons. X. 2-3-2007 Sunday

Bird Watching & Study Camp

A Bird Watching & Study Camp was held at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Srirangapatna on this day as a part of celebration of International year of planet earth.. Sri K.M.Narayanaswamy, DCF,Mandya inaugurated`the function. Each bird has its own distinct life style. We have to respect their right of living, he said. Dr.HarishBhat of Indian Institute of Science gave an informative lecture on different kinds of Birds in Ranganathittu.Dr.L.Prasannakumar Asst.Professor,PES Engineering college, Mandya presided over the function. Sri. Munishivanna, Deputy Conservator of Forest(Social 3

Forestry),Mandya , Sri Siddaraju, CAO,Zilla Panchayat,Mandya, Dr.B.Sujayakumar & others were on the dias. About 80 teachers, Students & interested public were participated in the programme. --------------

4