A conversation with an Inspiring Science Government School Teacher
Ms.Sivaranjani born in Bitherkad (a remote village in Gudalur Block of THE NILGIRIS District) studied in a matriculation school. She was district topper in Class 10 and her name is etched in the school.
She still vividly remembers the day when her class 8 chemistry teacher brought a beaker with acid to explain the properties of it to the classroom. She says experiential learning stays fresh in a person’s mind throughout their life
She drew her inspiration from 2 teachers – Ms.Laila Mol who is still teaching in GHSS Srimadurai and Mr.Sivakumar. Ms.Laila Mol studied in RIE, Mysore, Mr.Sivakumar taught abstract maths in more innovative way which made her to pursue path towards STEM
They guided her to pursue B.Sc BEd at Regional Institute of Education in Mysore between 2011 – 14. This course specializes in all 3 science subjects – Maths, Physics and Chemistry with Bed. She also attended a 15 day residential summer camp on Hands on Physics in 2013 which was conducted by IIT research scholar – Mr.Meenakshisundaram. This paved way to her interest in Physics
Though she cleared CTET she pursued her Post graduation in Physics from Bharathiar University and came out flying colors as a University Rank Holder. Even though she got Inspire scholarship to pursue but at last minute she lost it to another student later on mark reevaluation.
She cleared her TNTET in 2013 and joined GHSS Bitherkad in December. She started teaching Chemistry for higher secondary school students. After Covid, in 2021 she guided one student on his presentation of Vanavil Mandram Science project, who in turn was selected as winner to travel to South Korea.
After her maternity leave, when she rejoined the school in 2023, she saw ILP science kit. She was very happy about the design of this kit as all in box, a small suitcase which can be easily carried to classroom. She and her colleagues wanted the children from class 6 to 9 to be inquisitive of science experiential learning. So they did the science exhibition introducing the lab materials for the children with the help of ILP science kit. These children all used to rote learning but have never seen many materials or handled them for experiential learning. According to her this lab in a box gave the chance for a child to explore a buzzer, a solar cell, DC Motor, foldscope. Chemistry experiments were performed in the classroom itself.
In 2024 -25, she used this kit for class 9 students and then found that there is academic improvement in their learning. She also used this kit for her lesson plan for the academic year. During school inspection, this science kits helps them very much.
She submitted the science conclave report on her experience using ILP Science Kit for Experiential learning
Student from her school participated in SIDP School Innovation Development Project and was selected as a top 10 best project idea.
She has also attended in Dec 2024 IITM Electronic Kit training program. IITM, TN Education Department and ILP have a tripartite MOU on Brining Electronics and Science to Government school students in 253 schools covering all 38 districts in Tamil Nadu
This year she is handling Chemistry for Class 12, Physics for Class 11, Science for Class 9 and 10 and Physics for Class 8.
She says, After Covid, the students attention span and learning gaps are wide. The teacher has to be innovative and bring the focus of the children towards the subject – ILP Science Kit has been useful in this.
Ms.Sivaranjani ends her conversation with this note “Ikigai for me is to serve the students in the place where I was born, raised and educated.” She is married with 2 beautiful kids and her son loves the magnets from science kit and we are seeing a great future ahead.
This indeed a profound lesson for many of us.
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