A day-long workshop titled ‘Fun with Science’ was organised by Society of Pollution and Environment Conservation Scientists (SPECS) at the Malsi deer park here on Sunday. The scientists said that children were not learning science through practical methods but mostly through books.
They are not testing each scientific theory they learn and understanding the concepts behind them. In India, there is a living tradition of indigenous toys that are popular. Yet despite this tradition, learning crafts for children is the most neglected aspect of the nation’s cultural heritage. Understanding this tradition SPECS emphasised on creating simple toys from trash. SPECS created simple innovations to turn recycled waste material into entertaining, well-designed toys that people can make themselves — while learning the basic principles of science and design. SPECS believes that children mainly learn by doing things. By helping in organising tools from trash really well, one enables them to have a hands-on experience with the basic concepts of physics said the society’s secretary Brij Mohan Sharma.
The workshop was aimed at demonstrating, orientating and making the learning of science an enjoyable and playful experience. The Dehradun divisional forest officer Prasanna Kumar Patrol said that the department had collaborated with the society to organise such activities on a weekly basis to orient the children towards development of a scientific temperament.