SSKERALA

Sastraposhini is a programme envisaged by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) for strengthening science education in schools of Kerala.

Sastraposhini is a programme envisaged by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) for strengthening science education in schools of Kerala. Under the programme, model science laboratories are established in selected Government high schools of the State to provide a better learning environment. The programme was launched by KSCSTE in association with the Department of Education, Government of Kerala in the year 2003. So far, KSCSTE has successfully established more than 200 science laboratories throughout Kerala. Presently, KSCSTE has decided to implement the scheme only in government high schools of Kerala.

The objectives of the Programme are:

• To stimulate interest in science at the school level by the performance of experiments in Physics, Chemistry and Biology by students.
• To provide hands-on experiments to students for observation, inference, interaction and self-designing of experiments.
• To organize training programmes for the teachers to demonstrate scientific experiments.
• To evolve a low-cost laboratory kit based on readily available material for the performing of a range of experiments.

• Only government high schools in the State with sufficient facilities (three rooms to establish Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories), and qualified faculty in science are eligible.
• The schools applying for the scheme shall have the following basic requirements:

• Sufficient space to establish Sastraposhini laboratories (separate rooms for physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories).
• Qualified teachers in three subject areas (physics, chemistry, and biology).
• Sufficient number of students in the high school section.
• Extend of administrative support from the Headmaster/Principal/Management for the smooth implementation of the scheme.

• A total of ₹8 lakhs is spent to establish Sastraposhini laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) in one school with a fair share from KSCSTE.
• Training will be provided to selected teachers from Sastraposhini schools by eminent scholars/ academicians from different disciplines.
• Laboratory manuals and visual experimental aids and models will be provided to the selected schools.
• Training programme for teachers:

• Two teachers each in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from Sastraposhini schools are invited to participate in a training programme. The trained teachers will be in charge of each laboratory.
• Scientists/academicians offer classes on creating science awareness, good laboratory practices, setting up of laboratories, and practical demonstrations. Based on the training received, the teachers will be encouraged to carry out innovative projects in science for children utilizing the facilities of Sastraposhini laboratories.