Poor tribal students of a state-owned middle school in a rebel-hit block of Jharkhand that neither has a science lab nor a full-time science faculty took part in a science exhibition for the first time with eight models and three paintings.

The models and paintings displayed by the students of Upgraded Middle School in Jatakhunti panchayat of Tundi block in Dhanbad were inspired by the frequent sessions conducted by the faculty members from IIT(ISM) Dhanbad for the last one year.

“We have been conducting workshops on science and mathematics with students as part of a project of the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) under the department of science and technology since 2022. We were surprised that students who were reluctant to learn science became so enthusiastic about the subject in such a short span. The models and paintings were made by the students with a little bit of help from us and the teachers,” said Rashmi Singh, a faculty member at the department of management studies at IIT(ISM).

“Their excitement has emboldened us to continue with our science sessions in such remote state-owned schools to inculcate scientific temperament even after the NCSTC project concludes in 2024,” said Rashmi.

School headmaster Loknath Rajak said this was the first time the students took part in a science exhibition.

“Most of the students are from poor backgrounds, with small-time farmers and labourers as parents. At the moment, we teach students from classes 1 to XIII but have only six classrooms. Two classrooms are in a dilapidated condition and unsafe for use. We do not have a science laboratory either. There is a dearth of faculty (only two full-time and four para-teachers). We were so happy to see students get interested in science and make such models on their own and display them in the exhibition for the first time,” Rajak added.

He said the school lacked a full-time science faculty.

Eleven-year-old Talash Hembrom, a Class VIII student who had made a model of an air cooler, said the IIT(ISM) workshops helped him and his friends.

"They made us understand the concept well and helped us arrange the gadgets to make the air cooler,” Hembrom said.

Eighth-grader Pushpa Kumari, who made a model of a water filter, is determined to pursue higher studies in science.

“I want to do higher studies in physics and chemistry. Earlier, I did not understand the subjects but now I am able to do so with the help of IIT(ISM),” said Kumari.

The other models on display included rain-water harvesting, electricity generation through windmills, global warming and water forestation.

“Impressed by their interest in science, we distributed 23 books on general science and encyclopaedia among the students. We have so far conducted workshops, puppet shows, street plays and science exhibitions in 15 schools of Tundi block, benefitting nearly 4,689 students,” Rashmi said.