ASSIGNMENT EDU 09 : THEORETICAL BASES OF NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION.

TOPIC: CLUB ACTIVITIES

SUBMITTED BY, ASHA R NAIR NATURAL SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION CLUB ACTIVITIESParticipating in student club has been recently become very familiar with students during their academic period. Of course, there must be some considerable reasons for this tendency among a large number of students. Actually, being the member of clubs or organizations offers young people many special benefits that have been the fundamental advantages in their future jobs.First of all, joining student clubs is one of the happiest periods of students life. While it might be argued that each student always studies in a big class with a lot of classmates, the truth is that not all of them could be his/her close friends. In contrast, the members in a club share many things in common such as goals, hobbies and characteristics. For example, all of the members in a volunteering organization are willing to help difficult-circumstance people and contribute to the society, so they do everything with their enthusiasm and solidarity among members.Secondly, working during the academic period helps students learn many practical and useful skills, which are very essential for their higher education and future jobs. With the traditional educational system in Vietnam, students have little chance to learn soft skills such as teamwork skill, presentation skill or communication skill, etc. In contrast, the student clubs or non-profit organizations offer their members a practical environment that helps them improve themselves and promote. A club with members from different classes and faculties forms a network that will still exist even after graduation.

SCIENCE CLUB The spark from heaven falls , who picks it up ? The Crowd ? Never . The Individual ? Always . It is he and he alone , as artist, inventor, explorer, scholar, scientist, spiritual leader or statesmen, who stands nearest to the source of life and transmits its essence to his fellow men. The scientific and technological advancement of today is a long forward journey from stone age. As we live in an age of science , it is essential that the students have a deep insight in to the background of science. People seem to possess the seeds of creativeness but climate for its germination is absent.. It is generally seen that our school programmes are not giving due place to scientific experiences and proper environment . Schools lay too much of emphasis on rigidity and traditionalism. Each individual has his own interests , talents, and abilities. Even a progressive syllabus fails to cater to the needs of each . Science educators, now a days are found to exhibit growing interest and means of stimulating group participation and mobilizing interest in learning science. Organizing science clubs is one among such activities.Learning by doing and learning by living are two essentials of learning science. Children are interested in making things, breaking things and handling things. But the curriculum does not satisfy this natural urge. In the classroom every thing is done in a formal , artificial and controlled atmosphere. This will never give the child an opportunity for his free flights in the world of science. Our classroom teaching does not provide opportunity for self expression, constructive activities and independent enquiry. N o time is assigned for practical work. A ll these lead to the need for an organization. An organization which caters for the inculcation of scientific attitude , and a genuine interest in science and also can supplement the work of the classroom and give the syllabus a practical dimension may be called a science club.Through activities of a science club, learning of science becomes joyful. The science club to freedom for expression, where as the classroom atmosphere leads to conformity and repression . While activity participating in a science club students organize thought and translate these in to action and thereby develop a zealous enthusiasm to strive for the cause of scientific enterprise.a. Objectives of Science Club

1. To develop a general interest in science. 2. To inculcate scientific attitude and provide opportunities for training in scientific method.3. To develop interest in scientific hobbies.4. To develop habits of exploration and creative faculties.5. To encourage individual and group activities.6. To make the students and public science minded.7. To stimulate active participation and initiative among students in the learning process.8. To keep the students in touch with the recent advances bin science.9. To provide challenging opportunities to the gifted.

b. Organisation of science club A properly organized science club will be a valuable aid to teaching science and also means of motivating the children for learning science. The successful working of the club depends on the persons who organize it and also on the interest and enthusiasm of students . Though science club is run by the students for the students, the science teacher is the pivot of all activities.To begin with, the science teacher can explain the importance and benefits of organising science club and can arouse enthusiasm among students . This discussion may be followed by a business meeting in which office bearers are chosen. Every science club should have its own constitution. There should be a general body and an executive body. The principal or headmaster should be the patron and the science teachers should be the sponsors. Executive members such as president, vice president , secretary, treasurer, librarian, publicity officer, etc. are chosen among the student members. The executive committee has to chalk out programmes . The activities of the club should be taken by the students themselves. There should be regular meetings, discussions, planning, feedback, etc. c. Activities of the Science Club 1. Organising lectures, debates, seminars, symposia, etc.2. Holding science exhibition and fairs.3. Celebrating birth days of eminent scientists4. Participating in science fairs5. Conducting visual programmes of scientific interest6. Arranging visits to places of scientific interest7. Preparing of charts , portures, models, etc.8. Developing school garden9. Displaying science news10. Planting and growing trees and plants11. Improvising and preparing handmade apparatus.12. Collecting specimens and arranging them in the museum.13. Managing a first aid squad14. General reading of scientific literature15. Rendering school services in health and sanitation16. Visiting other science clubs.17. Conducting essay competition on scientific problems18. Maintaining an Aquarium19. Participating in scientific hobbies Preparation of soaps, ink, candle, matches, toys, bleaching powder, nail polish, chalk, etc.20. Helping the community by way of demonstration on health and hygiene, improvement of agriculture, eradication of superstitious belief, etc.21. Celebrating science days.22. Maintaining a bulletin board23. Publishing school science magazine24. Preparing albums and conducting projects. SCIENCE FAIR AND EXHIBITIONS Science fair and exhibitions are purely an educative activity carried out in a systematic manner entirely for the advancement of science . It is an opportunity for students to apply scientific method to conduct independent research. The result of each students research is presented in a school wide science fair, where the students efforts are displayed and students are interviewed to determine scientific merit. Students who have been judged to have demonstrated thoroughness in their studies and efforts are advanced to compete in regional, state, national and international science fairs. The fair helps the students benefit from the achievement of others, and promote a spirit of competition. Students can learn many things which cannot be learned from the class rooms. Science fair provides opportunity for detecting and cultivating scientific talent. It is an excellent device for acquainting parents as well as other people in the community with the science related work being done in the schools. Every school should organize a science exhibitions once in a year.

It is an excellent device for acquainting the parents as well as other people in the community, with the science related work being done in schools. Science fair provides an opportunity for the display of valuable work done in the science club by the students and sponsers . The fair helps the students benefit from the achievement of others, and promotes a spirit of competition . Students can learn many things which can not be learnt through classroom teaching. Instinctive urges of pupils , such as desire for aquisition , satisfying curiosity, participating in constructive works, etc. also get satisfaction. Their talents are recognized and encouraged which in turn would provide strong reinforcement. Science fairs provide opportunity for detecting and cultivating scientific talents.Every school should organize science exhibition once in a year. This may include exhibits of students as well as demonstrations, talks, etc. made by experts , film shows on scientific topics, debates, science plays, etc. The science fair will provide opportunity for the close co-operation of students, their parents and teachers.a. Purposes and Values of Science Fair 1. To stimulate and encourage interest in science.2. To focus attention on science experiences in schools.3. To provide situations for scientific hobbies.4. To recognize and encourage talents5. To provide opportunity for display of talents through exhibits6. To stimulate greater interest in scientific investigations over the routine class work.7. To make the public science minded.Science fairs have intellectual, psychological, social and educational values.

b. Organisation of a Science Fair The organization of a science fair should be a teacher- pupil activity and everything should be thought of well in advance. The following factors are to be considered while organizing the science fair. 1. Planning : It is essential that planning is thoroughly done. Doing planning the following aspects should be considered. i. Objectives of the fair.ii. Scope of the fair- who could participate in the fair ? Participation to be limited to the school or kept open to others schools, what types of programmes, are to be included etc.iii. Procedureiv. Financingv. Location, time and durationvi. Other factors and facilities- necessary arrangements, control, etc. 2. Distribution of work: Duties should be assigned to individuals and groups. Various committees are to be constituted , which are responsible for different programmes. There may be an advisory committee, a reception committee, a publicity committee and various sub-committees. While distributing the work , talents and interests should be taken in to consideration.3. Execution : Programmes decided up on while planning are now to be organized systematically and put to action. All exhibits must be properly mounted and labeled . Volunteers should be arranged for explaining the exhibit to the visitors.4. Judging: The fair should be judged by an expert team. Separate criteria are to be developed for judging each item say,- still model, working model, projects, etc. The NCERT has listed the following criteria for judging a fair :Scientific approach, Orginally, Technical skill and workmanship, thoroughness, Dramatic value and personal interview.5. Evaluation : When the fair is over, teachers and students should evaluate it and find out whether the objectives of the fair have been achieved or not. If not, try to improve it next time. MANUSCRIPT MAGAZINE A manuscript is any document written by hand, or manually typewritten, as opposed to being mechanically printed or reproduced in some automated way. Before the arrival of printing, all documents and books were manuscripts. Manuscripts are not defined by their contents, which may combine writing with mathematical calculations, maps, explanatory figures or illustrations. Manuscripts may be in book form, scrolls or in codex format. Illuminated manuscripts are enriched with pictures, border decorations, elaborately embossed initial letters or full-page illustrations.In the present age every big school has its own magazine. It is organised by the teachers and pupils of the school. Generally students of all classes are invited to contribute their worth as contributions to the Editor.The difference between a school magazine and other monthly magazines available in the market is that the former is meant for the students of the particular school or educational institution. The Editor is mostly a teacher who is assisted by capable students or a committee of students.It is difficult to manage a magazine in small schools because of the cost it involves. When contributions are made by students of different classes a committee is made to decide which articles are to be printed with additions and alterations. The cost of magazine is met from the fees collected from the students as magazine fees. More any deficit it is made up from the school funds.Generally the best articles are selected and corrected before being sent to the press for publication. The usefulness of magazine lies in the fact that it develops the habit of writing and enthuses students to write original essays. It develops the originality of thinking in students. One cannot write something without a clear judgment, imagination and good knowledge of the thing.School magazine provides a scope for writing independently. Generally students have a fascination for cramming for securing good marks in the examination. But the school magazine facilitates them to make their articles as good as possible.This magazine serves as an inspiration for students who have some ideas and thoughts but do not have an opportunity to express. Its educational value is high and the artists, poets; writers owe a lot to the school magazines since school magazine lays -his foundation of building artists. The school magazine can otherwise be called a training ground for good writers.Knowledge comes from books whereas wisdom stems from experience. Unless one reads numerous books other than text books, he cannot cultivate the habit of writing. The school magazine establishes a link between the new and the old students. The copy of a magazine serves as a reminiscence of school days for old boys reading previously in the institution. The sight of a magazine reminds the old boys of their sweet bygone school days. The school magazine instills a sort of competitive spirit in students through articles on various topics.The articles given by teachers provide some important and useful information to students. The articles are of enormous practical utility to them. The writings of teachers are highly inspiring for new writers who don't know the art of writing. A School Magazine is a periodical. The students maintain it with the help of their teachers. It contains essays, poems and articles. The School Magazine is different from other magazines. Its circulation is limited to students only. It is not written for the public. Hence it has nothing forthe interest of public. It generally contains sporting news. It tells about the previous results. It has the name of those who brought fame to the institution. ADVANTAGES OF A MANUSCRIPT MAGAZINETheSchool Magazinehas many advantages. It teaches students how to write. Boys generally avoid writing work. To contribute articles to the magazine they have to write something. For their magazine they have to read and write regularly.Secondly,School Magazineencourages the students to carry on their study with great energy. They take part in games to see their names in theSchool Magazine. EachSchool Magazinehas statements about the progress the students, the prizes, the medals they win. So those who are eager to see their names in the magazine, must work hard and their books. They must do their best on the play ground.Thirdly, the school magazine brings the students in close touch with one another. The writers read other books to increase their knowledge. Again they learn to think for themselves. Their thinking increase their reasoning power. A regular contribution to the magazine improves their art of writing. It gives them acommandon the language.Fourthly, the students learn the value of co-operation for the success of the magazine. A goodsplitofcompetitioncomes among the boys. The essay written by teacher, have many practical suggestions for the students. The boys learn the art of writing from the writings of their worthy teachers.TheSchool Magazineis the concern of students. They conduct it with the help of teachers. Its Chief Editor is the Principal. A Committee compound of other teachers and the boys is formed. In some cases students act as sub-editors. The Editors are the senior teachers.Every school should have a magazine of its own. The magazine serves a living record of writings of the would be good writer. A school magazine is no less than a teachers. Its gives the students a regular exercise of both the brain and the pen. FIELD TRIP AND EXCURSIONSField trip and excursions are interchangeably used in educational literature. But in strict sense they are different. An excursion is a school journey involving any organised travel made by teachers and students primarily with an educational motive in mind . Field trips are organised visits of teachers and students to immediate or distant places to enrich learning experiences and to further instructional purposes of regular class room activities. The field trip is distinguished by its concentration on learning particular aspects. Hence its success is judged by the fulfillment of pre- determined goals.Education is not confined to class teaching. Life in the class room can cover only a small part of our total life. If learning is to result in the total development of the learners, we must go beyond our school walls in to the community as students and as working participants. The chief purpose of field trips is to give students first hand experiences that cannot be had in the classroom. Students can see things, hear things, handle things and can examine them minutely. Hence field trip is an outdoor lesson in action. Many objects and phenomena can be studied best in their natural setting. Field trips provide opportunities for learning through the use of many techniques other than reading and speaking. Field trips stimulate interest and increase appreciation. As it co-relates learning in the classroom with the community, it develops better social awareness and social skills, in pupils. In short field trips provide enough raw materials that would promote development of senses, knowledge, emotions and skills. a. Values of Field Trip and Excursion1. Gives first hand experiences.2. Supplements and enriches class room teaching.3. Creates spirit of scientific enquiry.4. Gives training in observation5. Stimulates interest in nature and learning.6. Correlates the school life with the outside world7. Provides opportunities for utilising community resources8. Gives relief from the routine classroom work9. Develops qualities like leadership , co-operation, good public relation, self confidence, etc.10. Provides opportunities for bringing out talents and tastes.b. Organising a Field TripTo be effective, the trip must be planned carefully, otherwise it will be just a wastage of time, energy and money. The following are the stages involved in the completion of a field trip.1. A felt need : The purpose of the journey should be clear to students. They should have a clear understanding of why they are going out, where to and what exactly they might be expected to do.2. Selecting a suitable place and securing the permission from the resource centre.3. Listing out specific objectives.4. Planning and preparation.5. Conducting the actual field trip or excursion.6. Consolidating the results and taking up follow up activities. The trip must be followed by discussion, reports or even a written test.7. The field trip should not be taken as a pleasure trip, though it is a sort of an enjoyable activity. School authorised, teacher-planned, curriculum-integratef field trips can provide the most real learning experience.

CONCLUSIONEducation should be for life and not merely for a livelihood. It should train all our mental and Physical faculties. For this purpose various clubs and debating societies formed in schools and colleges, for producing a complete human beings.Club is a place where people get together for the discussion of various problems and for spending the leisure time. Club is the meeting place of the students for many activities. There are many clubs in educational institutions like literary club, science club, History club, and other clubs.. The major functions of the school club are to get information about the every day happenings in the world. Maps, charts and models are also prepared by the members of the club. And account of travels, and a record of speeches made by the great men of the world are maintained. To collect the good humored and witty discussions of burning questions, pathetic story-telling in the form of novel, and firm fact telling by the real agents concerned in the events of passing history is a peculiar job of this club.Curiosity is a natural impulse in man. We are always curious about our neighbors and about our fellowmen. School clubs satisfy this curiosity by providing different activities. In conclusion, students can receive many benefits while working in clubs and organizations. However, there are still a high proportion of students which are very inactive and always concentrate on theoretical studying. As a result, each university and the students themselves should notice the importance of taking part in social activities and take action immediately.

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