I'm sure all of us remember the stories from our childhood like "The hare and the tortoise" or "The thirsty crow". But can you recall science concepts that we learnt during our school days, like the Archimedes principle or the Newton's second law of motion? It's difficult, isn't it?
But, What if I tell you there is an easy way to remember the scientific concepts, in the form of stories.
It is exactly what Rajshree Bandodkar Karapurkar, a science populariser from Goa has been doing all these years.
She has authored around 6 books so far and one of them "Chitkulya Chinkichen Vishal Vishwa" had bagged Sahitya Academy award. She had also made a couple of animation films, and one of them, Bondla Zoo had came under Top 10 among 400 entries in the International Film festival in 2010.
Here are a few excerpts from her interview.
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Saptha: It’s interesting to know about teaching science in the form of storytelling. What prompted you to come up with this new kind of initiative?
Rajshree: As a child, I grew up listening to many interesting stories. Practically, every evening. It was such a lot of fun. These imaginations actually framed my little world. Games, running around, stories… spending vacations in my village, fresh air, trees, water, ponds… No TV, no Mobiles!
Well, today’s child is surrounded by all these gadgets and we can do nothing about it. So, it’s a challenge for me as a science teacher, as a storyteller.
I thought, what is the best way of getting certain things across them or keeping them engaged in a very interesting way?
And the only way I found that a child of 7-9 years is basically very curious always wanting to know lot of things and the only way we can help them is expressing in a very interesting way.
So, I thought Storytelling is the best way.
My science concepts in small ways, love for nature in small ways, well… get it across them in the form of stories.
I am doing that.
I am trying my level best.
If you have any suggestions, do let me know. I will definitely make changes.
Saptha: Who is your inspiration?
Rajshree: My inspiration? OK! My inspiration is Nature, The sound of silence, my family, rural India, my students and most importantly, my daughters.
Saptha: In this Internet and social media age where students get distracted easily, what’s your advice for Parents?
Rajshree: I would like to say to the parents, please treat your children as your dear friends.
They are very sweet, you know!
Spend time with them, talk to them, play with them.
You have to give them time, especially to your teenage children.
Discuss with them every topic, may it be politics, humanity, social awareness, poverty around and every topic in this world.
This will develop a strong bond between you all and your relationship will be healthy.
Your children will grow up in a fantastic way!
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You can also watch this interview in our new series called "Stories Kaani" in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtcv-E40Wg&t=28s
'Kaani' is a Konkani word which means 'Stories'. In this video series, we engage with Rajshree, to listen to her experience with children and her ideas on education.
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