STEM Workshop organised by Nehru Science Centre

22 girls from 8th standard along with Mrs. S. Mukherjee Mrs. J. Shah attended the STEM Workshop at the Nehru Science Centre on October 13, 2018.

The workshop started with registration of schools and distribution of lab coats to the participants, which made us all feel like future scientists.

This was followed by inspiring talks by two very learned women, Dr. Sunali Khanna, a dentist and an educator, and Ms. Namita Devidayal, a journalist from Times of India, an artist and a writer of three novels. We were all impressed by their success stories. We were also invited to a ‘Lit Fest’ organised in honour of Ms. Namita Devidayal’s latest novel.

It was sad and rather surprising to learn that the ratio of female scientists to male scientists is really low. Some girls are never even given an opportunity to take up science or have a career in the field of science. In fact, most girls in rural areas are unable to complete their education after 10th standard. Thus, the purpose of the workshop was to encourage girls to look forward to having a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

We attended three very fascinating experiments. The first experiment was a fun and a simple one. We were taught how to make slime. We mixed borax and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and added different coloured dyes to make our slime, and packed it to take it home.

The second experiment was an extremely exciting one. We extracted our own DNA from our cheek cells. This was the most enjoyable one, as it was rather unprecedented and challenging for us. We had to scrape out and extract the inner cheek cells, which then formed a cluster and we could see them clearly. After that, we put it in a small vial which was attached to a ribbon, making it a DNA bracelet.

In the third experiment, we made a circuit without using wires. Instead, we used copper tape. We all made our own drawings, formed the circuit, and lit small LED bulbs on cardboard paper.

By participating in this workshop, we not only increased our knowledge but also had a great time experimenting with science

Saranya Vohra and Nehal Gupta, 8A