The Science of Magic - Millennium National School
Transcription
The Science of Magic - Millennium National School
August 2013 [email protected] www.myshala.com Issue 4, Volume 1 Cover story The Science of Magic “How did it happen?”, “Do it again”, “Where did you learn all this?” These were some of the reactions from parents, kids, teachers and judges when the magicians from Std.7 to 10 and scientists from Std.5 and 6 showcased their projects during our annual science fair held on Saturday, 17th August 2013. Each of the participating groups brought something special to the event, and all in all it was an amazing learning experience for everyone. In side Govinda aala re ll Dahi Handi was celebrated at the school and brought smiles to many young faces. Page 03 In side In side Parenting 101 New roads with Dr. Atulkumar Rakshe, an Ayurveda specialist, for young parents. Mehendale spoke to senior students about alternative career paths. llA parenting workshop Page 03 llEx-student Naina Page 04 August 2013 Newsletter m - e y e o n t he St r e e 2 [email protected] Cover story The Beginners (Std 5,6) Winners - Reflection and refraction (Table B) Runners up – Colour changing flowers (Table 74) Joint second runners up – Twilight Switch (Table 93), Red cabbage as indicator (Table 86) The Scorchers (Std 7,8) Winners - Illusions (Table 35) Runners up – The science behind magic card tricks (Table 16) llOur dining halls and badminton hall were bubbling with enthusiasm and activity on Saturday. This bustle had begun almost a month before as discussions were on within groups about what they were going to do for the Science fair. We could see that the children were pumped up right from day one as they formed their groups and spent a lot of time deliberating various topics before picking the right one for their project. Our teachers acted as mentors to each of the groups and gave them guidance when they got stuck in their Groups Winner selected and for 2 nd runner round up teams Standards Topic Total entries Beginners 5,6 How things work 62 9 4 Scorchers 7,8 30 5 3 Experts 9,10 10 4 2 Group Second runners up – Magical water (Table 22) The Experts (Std 9,10) Winners – Blow the balloon! (Table 40) Runners up – Magical Chemistry world (Table 11) thought process and helped them on. As is our practice during the Science Lab activities, they encouraged the children to think outside the box. They motivated them to not just put forward projects that worked, but understand how it worked, why it worked the way it did and what were the factors involved in making it work. They were also encouraged to think about what obstacles could stop it from working the way it should, how they could make it better and could they suggest an alternative to the conventional methods. This lateral thinking that we encourage congratulations to all the participants! in our students on a daily basis got us phenomenal project ideas for the fair. The evaluation of the Science Fair projects also was a very involving activity. We had two judges examining every project. Children learnt many new concepts through their project research. We saw innovative and creative use of simple materials. We could also see that most projects were made, from start to end, exclusively by students. Parent’s help and the use of readymade Science behind magic kits was avoided, this was greatly appreciated and the purpose of the exhibition was served well. One of the parents remarked that the children were learning science syllabus worth a year by visiting their friend’s projects in 3 hours! The ‘Science behind Magic’ theme saw our children turning into great performers. Some groups exhibited real showmanship in performing the magic tricks. A young spectator was delighted when the science behind a particular magic trick was revealed. Our older students too, were equally impressed by the work put up by their juniors. This is what some of them had to say – ‘The thought process and eye for details was fantastic’. ‘We were amazed with the ideas and the efforts put in to make the ideas workable ‘, said our Class 10 students.We were more than happy that our students gained a scientific eye to look at magic and proved our Science Fair a huge success. modern teaching techniques, qualified and dedicated teachers, technology, academic results, facilities provided, most delicious and healthy food, lots of extracurricular activities, bagless school, variety of sports that each and every child has to play, each and every child is equally treated, PTA meetings held every 15 days, well managed transport system and most important, great management team. parent speak ll Dear Sir, We would like to share our thoughts on the school. We have two children, one is in 7th standard and other one is in 2nd standard. We are very happy with the school for a variety of reasons, here are some one the things that impress us the most. Program based learning, Thanks a lot for your great work! With Regards, Ashwini Kedar Hendre Thank you, Mrs.Hendre! Such appreciation motivates us greatly. Team Millennium August 2013 Newsletter m - e y e o n t he St r e e 3 [email protected] Events Parenting 101 families have just admitted their child to our school this academic year. In order to give them some guidance in parenting, we arranged a parenting workshop. The first session of this workshop, which was conducted by Dr. Atulkumar Rakshe, a well known Ayurveda specialist, covered health, environment, food and inculcating discipline in children. He began by asking “Where are the individuals that we have read about and heard about? Why are we not producing celebrated with much fanfare at school. Each division is divided into two groups i.e. girls and boys, and each group gets to overturn the handi. We therefore had many young Govindas take a shot at the handi. The Millenium handi is filled with puffed rice and each group gets the chance to overturn it and drop its contents on everyone down below. All our students, right from kindergarten up to class 10 take part. The height of the handi varies as per the age of the students. The kids from kindergarten were picked up by the teacher so that they could reach the handi. The handi was tipped over, to the loud cheers and claps of each group’s respective classmates. There was also a lot of on-the-spot planning contained more percentage of salt than is actually required by our body for the entire day. He talked of cases of young children receiving the guidance and support to coming to him with problems like blood become exceptional human beings. pressure, diabetes, kidney stone, obesity, etc. He thinks ‘A good parent is a bad environment have led to changes in our parent’. i.e if you are a good parent in the lifestyle, which includes food, health and eyes of your child, a parent who says yes technology. He spoke of how advancements to everything the child asks for without in technology have led to ease and comfort, considering the eventual repercussions to but at the same time, how we have lost the child’s physical and mental well being, the need to exercise and are addicted then you are a bad parent. to processed food products. He also He requested the parents to enjoy the emphasized the need to go back to our simple pleasures of life with their child, like basics, in terms of eating healthy fresh food floating paper boats in the rain etc. He also instead of junk food, playing outdoors as felt that the parents need to follow a more opposed to being cooped up in front of the disciplined and healthy lifestyle which would television, as a parent, knowing when to say gradually permeate through to their child, ‘no’ to your child, thus developing a sense of making them more fitness oriented, able discipline in them. bodied and able minded adults of the future. Money has now become our one and only The feedback to the session was priority, whereas our priorities should be positively overwhelming. We are in the health, culture, family and society. process of coming up with many more such Dr. Rakshe highlighted the fact that Govinda aala re llAs all our students know, Dahi Handi is Even a single packet of potato wafers children have the potential, but are not In his talk, Dr. Rakshe talked about young parents living in nuclear percentages of salt, sugar, trans fats etc. any thinkers and philosophers now?” Our how the changes in our surroundings and llMany these processed foods contained higher and strategizing, deciding who goes on top of the pyramid, who will be at the base etc, which was fun to watch. When asked how they decided that a certain student was to be at the top or at the base, they said that it depended on the height, weight, agility and strength of each student. Interesting deductions! Once the handi was toppled the students let down their hair and danced away. The kindergarten teachers encouraged the young ones. The older lot of kids needed no such encouragement, they had a lot of fun dancing to festive music. The event ended on a sweet note with each child being given toffees or candy. workshops for our parents. August 2013 Newsletter m - e y e o n t he St r e e t 4 [email protected] activity A Path Less Travelled ll Naina Mehendale, one of our exstudents and head girl, who passed out in 2009, had topped the school in her at the Delhi campus which was her ultimate dream, but the NIFT Kolkata centre instead. She left after a year as class 10 exams with more than 92%. She is now pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at University of the Arts, London and visited the school to talk to the students from class 10 and 11. She had she was very unhappy. She then got the opportunity to pursue a course at the University of Arts, London. She joined the university with the aim of studying fashion designing, but discovered a high score and instead of going the standard way, she decided to follow a different route, and chose to study Arts. She completed junior college at Fergusson College, and that opened filmmaking in her foundation year. She has already made a couple of films as part of her course curriculum for which she has received much appreciation among her peers and mentors. her eyes to many career options which She emphasized the importance she wasn’t aware of. She interned at Femina during this time where she got to meet and interact with people from various fields. This is when she realized of networking. She advised them to actually “look at things” and to be focused, but also keep an open mind to consider other options. She suggested the importance of communication and networking. She later got a job as a that they become self aware and then pursue their chosen career with blogger for a fashion website based on her social networking skills. passion. The students were grateful that Naina exposed them to different options She spoke of how she was determined to get into National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi, and and were now willing to explore careers that were off the beaten path. Thank you, Naina! We are proud become a famous fashion designer, but of you and are sure you will succeed life had other plans for her. Her entrance greatly. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Independence has given us a lot of things, Our abilities are evolved from nothing into something, We got a right to question some action, Or fight election for some section, We are proud to say this is our land, No outside country can dictate us what we should do and what we can, To this day we live free without fear, Due to the sacrifices made happily without any tear, Today we live free, think free, and have least of sorrow, Credit goes to our enthusiastic past, rich present and bright future tomorrow. — Pranav Deo, 9A The winner of last month’s quiz, New from Old, is Raghav Paranjpe, 7A. Team Millennium exam marks did not get her into NIFT Congratulations! School Elections person for the role, and what they would do ll Elections were held in our school on August 21st to elect student representatives. We invited Mr.Shrikant students to compete fairly. We gave the students two weeks after this talk to prepare their campaign once elected. Each candidate managed to successfully put forth their views. On election day, the students followed all the rules and discipline pertaining to the day and even got their finger marked Bharatiya, Sanghatan Mantri, Maharashtra state for the BJP, to educate the students about electoral procedures and the importance of campaigning. This talk proved interesting and motivated the posters and speeches. Soon there were colourful posters all over the school. On a pre-assigned day each candidate gave a speech detailing why they should be elected, how they would be the ideal with ink to confirm they cast their vote. The results are listed below. We hope that these young students follow the footsteps of their predecessors and lead their house and the school to glory. SCHOOL ELECTIONS Head Boy & Head Girl Blue House Rohit Jayanti Tejal Bankar Capt. – Ajay Majethia Vice Capt. – Tanvi Bhide VOTE GREEN House Capt. – Karan Gandhi Vice Capt. – Omkar Apte RED House Capt. – Shreyas Kulkarni Vice Capt. – Urja Mishra YELLOW House Capt. – Bhargavi Thakar Vice Capt. – Vedant Limaye