As part of its altruistic activities, the Indian Student Chapter of Optica, Hyderabad-India carried out an Optics Sensitization program for the under-privileged school students. Onus was on delivering the complex aspects of lights like interference, diffraction, polarization, reflection, refraction, dispersion, scattering etc., through experiential learning using optical kits. Since most of the students belonged to the deprived sections of the society who were never exposed to complex optical gadgets, we used rudimentary but effective tools for demonstration purpose. The ubiquitous laser and a telescope were also displayed for the students to appreciate how light-based technologies have revolutionized the human society. A do-it-yourself session was also organized for the students to make themselves a crude telescope. Audience comprised both of students and teachers. We could record an overwhelming response for the program from the participants who despite the financial limitations, showed eagerness to pursue science as a future career option especially follow the path of light and optics.
Despite the growth in ICT applications in education, inequalities continue to exist. Students and teachers inadvertently suffer in underprivileged schools - facing isolation, neglect, coupled with inadequate pedagogic attention, poor infrastructure and insufficient resources. Science needs to be taught in the class room in a way that it stimulates the mind of the children to inquire and execute scientifically. A blended learning technique is employed for capacity building on light-based technologies. We have developed an innovative methodology of interlinking the concepts and activities prescribed in the science text books using hands-on minds-on intracurricular experimental kits. The kits serve as essential alternative to the lack of any equipment in most of the schools and can be used in conjunction with textbooks. This new teaching-learning environment has been successfully tried and tested in different schools. All the stakeholders involved have responded positively and have expressed satisfaction of having understood the latent principles more clearly than when taught only through the traditional method of teaching.
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