Teacher’s Orientation Workshop for National Children Science Congress 

Chandigarh, October 06, 2023: Teacher’s Orientation Workshop for National Children Science Congress (NCSC)’ was organized by The Environment Society of India (nodal agency for NCSC) jointly with CRIKC-Igniting Young Minds, a Panjab University initiative to nurture scientific culture at school level. The event witnessed participation of more than 250 School Teachers from Government and Private schools of Chandigarh (UT) region.
 
The Chief Guests for the workshop were Ravinder Kaur (Deputy Director, Department of School Education and Deputy State Project Director,Samagra Shiksha, Chandigarh)and Dr Manjit Kaur (Mission coordinator, Samagra Shikshaunder Directorate of School Education). Prof. Gaurav Verma (Coordinator CRIKC) and Mohinder Kaur (Councillor, MC  Chandigarh) graced the occasion. The dignitaries highlighted the need for unlearning and adopting innovative methods and newer technologies for tackling local problems in order to equip the young minds for the future. They appreciated the collaboration amongst institutions of learning for sharing of resources, expertise and infrastructure and commended the efforts of the Panjab University’s initiative, CRIKC-Igniting Young Minds for providing need based solutions to specific problems of government schools of Chandigarh specifically mentoring them for National level Science competitions.
 
The event commenced with a welcome address by Shri Hem Raj Satija (Vice President, ESI) who apprised that ESI has been organising this program since 1995 and is actively involved in helping the child scientists. The workshop witnessed enlightening talks on the Focal theme of the forthcoming Children’s Science Congress 'Understanding Ecosystem for Health and Well-being' specifically on NCSC Guidelines by Paramjeet Singh (State Academic Coordinator, ESI), NCSC Focal theme and Sub themes by Dr Jaspreet Kaur (Incharge CRIKC Igniting Young Minds, Botany Dept., Panjab University, Chandigarh), and Crafting an Innovative Research Proposal by Dr Gaurav Sapra, (UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh).Nearly 30 student volunteers of CRIKC-Igniting Young Minds, were felicitated for their selfless contribution towards the mentoring of school students for National level Science competitions. 

The event ended with a Vote of Thanks by N.K. Jhingan (Secretary, ESI& State Coordinator NCSC).