Amity University's INSPIRE Internship Program for students

Students learn ‘science with fun' during INSPIRE Internship Program at Amity University.

Amity Centre for Developmental Cooperation & Alliances is organizing a five day "INSPIRE Internship Program" from 20 to 24 January 2014 in association with Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India at Amity University, Sector-125, Noida. The main purpose of the camp is to enhance interest of students towards basic sciences. The camp will cover different areas of science, with emphasis on interdisciplinary aspects. Students will be introduced to unknown domains of science going beyond known and factual knowledge.

The participants of this programme are students of Science stream from class XI and XII of Bal Bharati Public School, Shri Krishna Inter College Noida, Km. Mayawati Government Girl Inter College, Shree Sant Vinova Inter College, Gautam Budh Nagar and Amity International Schools - Saket, Pushp Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Noida, Vasundhara Sec-6. During these five days students will get an opportunity to interact with eminent scientists as their mentors from various national institutes like National Science Centre, Delhi University, GGS Indraprastha University, Central Drug Research Institute Lucknow, Vigyan Prasar etc.

Dr. Alok Bhattacharya – Prof. of Life Sciences - Jawaharlal Nehru University addressing the gathering

"INSPIRE Internship Program" was inaugurated by Dr. Rajnikant Tewary- Former DRDO Scientist ‘G' & former Scientific Advisor to Chief of Naval Staff, Dr. Anand Kumar- Director, Petrotech Society, Dr. Alok Bhattacharya - Prof. of Life Sciences - Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mr. Panchanan Sah, Assistant Director, Amity Centre for Developmental Cooperation & Alliances and Dr. Madhu Phull - Amity Education Resource Centre.

While delivering the key note address Dr. Alok Bhattacharya- Prof. of Life Sciences - Jawaharlal Nehru University said that science is most important link of life and it is omnipresent in nature. If student start observing nature i.e. living and non living forms and try to understand the observations based on scientific principles than they developing interest in science. Student should interact with their peers, teachers, parents to find solutions. Dr. Bhattacharya said that biological materials like spider web, shell, tree trunk, butterfly, beehive etc are beautifully designed and everything in nature gets recycled and degraded in course of time. One should learn from nature for example ‘through understanding the photosynthesis process in plants, one can understand energy production though sunlight.

Dr. Anand Kumar – Director, Petrotech Society addressing the gathering

Dr. Anand Kumar- Director, Petrotech Society briefed the gathering on chemistry and said that chemistry is involved in all stages of daily routine, right from wake up to going to bed - be it the usage toothpaste, clothes, shoes, transportation, food, mosquito repellant equipments etc, everything involves chemical science. Dr. Kumar added that houses, roads, bridges, vehicles etc are all due to science. Addressing the students, Dr. Kumar said that if you really start thinking science in everyday life, than only one can have love for science. Dr. Kumar commented that prosperity of a Nation does not mean how many guns or aircraft it has, but rather what is its intellectual property, power to innovate. Continuous innovation is needed for any product to survive in the market. The mobile phones which were used 10 years back or 5 years back is not the same as of today. Dr. Kumar called upon students to pursue their dreams, love your work and be happy in your life.

Dr. Rajnikant Tewary – Former DRDO Scientist ‘G’ & former Scientific Advisor to Chief of Naval Staff addressing the gathering

Inaugurating the programme, Dr. Rajnikant Tewary- Former DRDO Scientist ‘G' said that innovation in science & technology is the backbone for progress of any country. Dr. Tewari said that in present time, we are seeing fewer students in science & technology in comparison to management and other domains. It may be due to - poor science faculty, higher cost of infrastructure, less laboratories and less career opportunities. We as an educators have to change this perception. He added that science is the understanding of the world around which makes a positive impact in the life of a person.

Dr Rajnikant Tiwari receiving memento during the occasion

Inauguration was followed by interactive sessions in which Dr. M.S Marvaha, Associate Professor - SGGS College Chandigarh presented Physics demonstration, Dr. Dinesh Malik, Education Officer - National Science Centre presented interactive mathematics show and Dr. Rakesh Tripathy from National Science Centre presented astronomy show.

Mr Panchanan Sah presenting memento to Dr Anand Kumar

Mr. Panchanan Sah, Assistant Director, Amity Centre for Developmental Cooperation & Alliances outlined the basic purpose of this program which is to inspire students to choose Science as their stream and let them know more about the importance of Science and Technology. It is a unique program and an opportunity where students will be meeting the scientists and specialists of different science streams. After five days of this internship program "INSPIRE" all the students would be filled with all knowledge about importance Science and Technology in our lives remarked Dr. Panchanan.

School Students present during the inauguration

Students were full of joy and excitement on participating in this workshop. Amity International School Noida student, who wants to become an engineer said a ‘science always excite him and this program is a golden opportunity for him to have a deep insight into different topics.' Another student from Shree Sant Vinova Inter College, Gautam Budh Nagar said she wants to become doctor in life and through this program, she will interact with teachers, experts and colleagues on different science topics. She said that this program will give more information on opportunities available in different sphere of science.

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