SAIIER 2016:Life Science Lab
 Building a Tree House |
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 Dehashakti School of Physical Education |
| Life Science Lab A project of Deepanam School | ||
Introduction
The Entity::Life Science Lab at Deepanam School is a space for children to discover the wonders of Nature. It is a study space for learning about the local wildlife, as per their interest and choice of study. For encouraging this we have a Laboratory that has 14 aquariums for both freshwater and marine fauna. We also maintain data on the rescues of snakes, and on bird counts within Auroville. The aim is to encourage children to learn and care about wildlife.
Description of project
The students of Deepanam School have free choice to take up activities or projects in the Life Science Lab. Whether feeding the fishes, cleaning the terrariums, or taking up another task, it is up to the children to take their own initiative to participate in the various activities of the Lab. The children who choose to participate come in small groups of 3 or 4, for 2 hours or 4 hours per week. The timings are scheduled with their class teachers.
Students in the Living Ecology class at NESS also came to the Life Science Lab as part of their program.
Outcomes
This is an ongoing program for the past 5 years and the Lab keeps improving with more experience and research. The most evident aspect of this project is the fascination and concern that children have for the animals. Students have a keen observation and this is awakened in them during activities related to Life Science.
Every year students get very intrigued to learn that snakes are rather very charming creatures and there is nothing to fear. We have in our cultures some very wrong ideas about snakes. This is effectively changed by observing and learning about snakes directly at the Life Science Lab.
- “Are snakes vertebrates or invertebrates?”
- “Are all black snakes poisonous?”
- “Do snakes have eyes?”
- “Where do snakes live? and why are they needed in the eco-system?”
Many more of such questions are asked endlessly. And it is not something that is told to the children - they ask because they want to know, and this is the biggest difference between learning from a textbook and free-progress learning. They questions they ask are practical as well as important, and the answers are discovered by the students over time. With free progress, the child chooses the questions and topics she/he wants to know about. For us this becomes the starting point of helping them discover more, by supporting and encouraging such a process.
Another interesting observation that needs more to be noted is that some of the difficult students who find it hard to sit in regular classes, can become very focused when working / feeding / cleaning aquariums or terrariums. They can do such activities for hours without being bored. We have found more and more that Life Science can be a tool for helping children learn to concentrate better.
Reflections
When we rescue snakes from various places in Auroville and involve the students in this process of protection and care for animals, the learning is much more natural and spontaneous. Children live the experiences much more deeply and this automatically opens the door for education of the Self.
Conclusion
By maintaining 7 freshwater aquariums, 7 marine aquariums and 4 terrariums the Lab is a very active space for children to participate and observe the beauty of the natural world. We would very much like to carry this exploration of children's fascination and wonder for wildlife to more schools and students of all ages, in and around Auroville.
