On the Zenith, with Science

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“If you love me, give me wings. Don’t be afraid if I fly” students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir are one with this feeling paradoxically it’s all about aeronautics and aerospace.

There is a power in hands-on learning and Atmiya Vidya Mandir has adopted the same approach to not only equip the students with knowledge but also prepare them to apply it in real life situations. A group of self-motivated students of the Department of Aerospace Engineering (UDAAN) at IIT-Mumbai were invited in the school to conduct a workshop cum interactive session on various aspects of Aerospace engineering. UDAAN is an outreach programme run by the IIT to inspire children.
Now students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir will no more find wind blowing things like kites and flags unfathomable, as they were exposed to a comprehensive practical approach to understand this theory. How is it possible that heavy airplanes are supported by air high above the ground? Students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir can answer this question as they were guided and edified on various skills and theories of aeronautics by a team of enthusiastic IITians and senior students of B. Tech. Aerospace engineering named Naresh Ponnana, Viren Timble, Rajat Chakraborty, Asger Ali and Anand Pratap.
These aerospace engineers brought science to students in the form of adventure and thrill that acquainted them with the concept of aeronautics. From Std VII, IX and X near around fifty students were chosen randomly to participate in the workshop. It started at 10:30 am on 8th August – Sunday and lasted till 9:30 pm.
The day began with watching a video show of breath taking stunts of fighter planes, heart stopping moments of air crash. Students were fortunate enough to get acquainted with experiences of Sunita Williams’ in space through this video which arrested their imagination. Then followed a highly interactive session on the physics of aeromodelling. The session continued with the paper plane model making workshop after which there was a lengthy discussion on career guidance with the 10th and 11th standard students for almost an hour and a half . Students were benefited as they shared their personal experiences as IIT aspirants and being an IITian. They gave some really insightful tips about preparing for the IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Entrance Exam).

After the lunch break, one batch of students participated in the Balsa wood Glider making workshop. Students’ creativity was at optimum and they were captivated while making miniature aircrafts with their instructions and watching them fly with an understanding of the whole process.
Meanwhile, the other batch of students got hands-on experience on the flight simulator the same software used by pilots for training purposes.
A small break for snacks followed after which the UDAAN team demonstrated water rocketry explaining the students how a rocket can be flown using water as fuel!!! It was quite an exciting time witnessing a water rocket. The two batches of students then exchanged their places and each ended up having an intriguing insight into the world of flying by the end of the day.
They conducted a Quiz on aerospace related concepts and facts after the workshop and gave away prizes to the winners of the quiz. The day concluded with a presentation on career options in Aerospace Engineering.
Some reactions of the students at the end of the workshop:

  • “Sir, this was the best day of my life!”
  • “We didn’t know IIT was such a huge place and offered so many opportunities to grow in every aspect.”
  • “They have a very friendly attitude. Generally, we don’t like workshop, but they conducted it in such a manner that we really enjoyed it.”

Some reactions from teachers:

  • “The interaction between the team and the students was the best part as that certainly will go a long way in inspiring them to work hard to achieve their goals in life.”
  • “Sharing your experience regarding preparation for IIT-JEE and also about life at IIT was really inspiring.”
  • “You could sense the ‘never say die’ spirit in all the members as they didn’t seem tired at all even after such a long, involving day. They were extremely clear in their heads about what they wanted to achieve.”

Through this workshop they inspired a new generation of future global scientists (Students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir) who can now be seen in the school campus flying a handmade aircraft, living with the concept of going against the forces which pulls you down, defying the gravity and touch the sky.

Written by: Seema Madam

About Noble Laureates and more…

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 George Bernard Shaw, once told: “Some men see things as they are and say ‘why?’ I dream things that never were and say ‘why not?’  with this motive, the students of  Atmiya Vidya Mandir understand Science. To develop scientific temper as an intrinsic quality, an inter-house Science Competition was organized on Saturday 7th Aug. 2010.
For Std 1 and 2, Std 3, 4 and 5, all the students participated in a “Scientific Memory Competition” wherein they were given a glimpse of various science related daily objects and were asked to recollect from memory and list them down.  Quite an impressive memory of the students was witnessed by the teachers on the day.
In the Seniors section, two groups per house – one from Std 6 and 7 and another from Std 8 ad 9 participated in the competition. Students were encouraged and guided to give presentations on the lives and research work of different Nobel laureates. They were to figure out how the scientific world operates through systematic observation, research and analysis.
They prepared a presentation on the achievements, research and life of the following Nobel Laureates:
Venkatraman ‘Venki’ Ramakrishnan
Albert  Einstein
C.V Raman
Niels Bohr
Hargobind Singh Khurana
Alexander Fleming
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Marie Curie
It was an amalgamation of numerous fanciful illustrations of their inventions and contribution along with interesting and quirky facts of their research work. The budding scientists of Atmiya Vidya Mandir untangled the threads that create the tapestry of their (Nobel laureates) formulated principles, laws and theories.
Senior executives from the Reliance Industries, Surat – Shri A K Das and Shri G S Dixit were invited as the judges on this occasion. They were highly impressed by the students and their presentation skills, but they were ready to pass the torches in the hands of these aspiring scientists.
Satyam House were the winners in Group 1 (Std 1-2).
Suhradam House were the winners in Group 2 (Std 3-4-5), Group 3 (Std 6-7) and Group 4 (Std 8-9).
As per the overall points scored, Satyam House turned out to be the winner of the competition, very very closely followed by Suhradam House.
This competition proved to be an effort to bridge the gap between pure science and applied science. The Science faculty of Atmiya Vidya Mandir left no stone unturned to generate the spirit of critical analysis and develop scientific temper.
Written by: Seema Madam

Suhradam House: Where Diversity is a Celebration

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Every child is gifted with an unique talent to usher this reality, House wise creative assemblies are supposed to be the platform to unearth this valuable treasure and polish it to its sparkling genius. Following the same, Suhradam house members satiated creative urge of the students by supporting them to enhance the innate potential lying dormant in them.
With an unfurled banner on the background with the house slogan- “Where Diversity is a celebration” and the corresponding emblem was conspicuously showcasing the philosophy of the school.
On the first day of the Suhradam house assembly, Mishal from std 9B left no corner of the prayer hall unheard with his fascinating voice and impressive style when he took the stage to announce the proceedings of the assembly. Ashish Pandey from std 11th chanted the mantras and led the assembly for prayer. Krishna Patel from std 9th B shared his thought and Kishan from std 6th read the news headlines. The prayer hall resonated with claps and cheers as Pushpak Sir recited his composition on a thoughtful subject ‘It is a nature of thoughts that finds its way into action.’
The next day was very special as Suhradam house induced a sense of devotion in all by placing a special cradle for Thakorji on the dais celebrating Hindola Utsav, Students and Teachers were invited to pull the string of the cradle to and fro to offer Bhakti to the Lord. Shaivin of std 10th, in his speech, elucidated the significance of Hindola Day in Hindu Culture.
The following day was no less captivating as Parth A from 8th took over the stage maintaining the decorum of the prayer hall through his sober voice. Diven of 6th shared his thought while Sagar Patel of 7th A updated the audience with news headlines. Students were spellbound when Samidh Mam came on the stage to give a profound insight on ‘Learning can happen anytime, anywhere.’
Friday was equally attention-grabbing. Suhradam house members seem to be on the go as the momentous day was approaching. Lalit from std 8th B headed the proceedings on the stage as he anchored the programme. Pratipal from std 8th B chanted the Mantras and led the choir for the prayer whereas Vaibhav of std 9th B delivered thought of the day. Akash of std 8th A read the news headlines and shared funny facts with the students. Nishit Banka of std 8th A shared his thought on importance of keeping a promise and following Guru’s directives.

Finally the C-Day (C-for creative assembly and celebration) had arrived. The Suhradam house members were dealing with surging passion and zeal proactively in the guidance of the teachers of Suhradam House.
The theme was Atmiyata and motive was one for all and all for one. Suhradam house had very well revealed the radiance of Atmiya Bhulkus throughout the week and this day unbolt the doors of everybody’s heart when Sawaising of 9th A ignited the fire as he started the C-Day assembly proceedings of Suhradam house.
Ghanshyam Dabhi from10th delivered a speech presenting a reflective insight on the value Atmiyata. He explained that Atmiyata is an act of joint effort of many people in the same direction for the same destination with a common motive.
Then the cultural bonanza grabbed the interest of the audience as the Drama and dance were performed. The student looked splendid in their ethnic dresses. Interestingly, all students of Suhradam house from I to V participated in the drama called Atmiya Jungle. It was a real treat to the eyes as well as to the intellect to observe the stirring performance those tiny-tots attired as vegetables, animals, flowers and trees displaying a perfect replica of fancied Atmiya Jungle. The Atmiya Ras was altogether a mesmerizing presentation.Thus the exuberant celebration concluded with a revealing cultural potpourri. In this manner, the trumpet of creativity and Atmiyata was blown and rhythm was so captivating that it brought the Atmiyans (students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir) together in a spirit of passionate competition and mutual respect.
Through the soft board displays Suhradam House presented significance of scriptures. With an extreme elegance and unsurpassable appeal, it exhibited the messages, virtues as well as value of Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Ramayana, Manu-smriti moreover Vachnamrut, Swami ni Vato and Shiksha-Patri. Thus Suhradam House flipped the Amrut pot to let everybody decipher the message of these Scriptures. Thus Suhradam house initiated a move to make Atmiya students vanquishers and sagacious not only intellectually but culturally.