1,866 UP govt schools to be mentored by CSIR scientists

The initiative will take place through CSIR's outreach engagement and science communication activities programme "Jigyasa and its Virtual Laboratory".

CSIR and the Bulandshahr administration in the presence of chief minister Yogi Adiyanath have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA). Under this MoA, 1,866 government schools of Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh will be mentored by the scientists of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to build scientific temper among students and teachers. The initiative will take place through CSIR's outreach engagement and science communication activities programme "Jigyasa and its Virtual Laboratory".

109 Astronomy labs in Bulandshahr

The setting up of 109 astronomy labs in rural Bulandshahr under the partnership of A US-based NGO, Open Field Collective (funded by National Geographic), formed by postdoctoral researchers of prestigious colleges in the US had created an international buzz in April this year. The organisation provided an exhaustive study curriculum.

With the help of frugal research implements such as foldscopes, students under the assistance of teachers collected water from nearby water bodies and studied the vast universe of microorganisms found here.

Laboratory visits for students and teachers

Under student outreach initiative, CSIR will facilitate laboratory visits for students, teachers and officials at its premises. Chief development officer of Bulandshahr Abhishek Pandey, who was instrumental in developing 109 astronomy labs for students in the district, said, "This development will go a long way in making the vast resources of CSIR, including its state-of-the-art labs, accessible to students in rural areas. They will be given guidance by the country's top scientists."

An official at CSIR told TOI, "CSIR will encourage its scientists to adopt labs and act as mentors to the schools of their choice through frequent interactions. The nature of these interactions may be physical or virtual, as per the convenience of the visiting faculty and the school management committees."

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