INNOVATIVE AND NO-COST EXPERIMENTS/ PROJECTS FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS

 

INNOVATIVE AND NO-COST EXPERIMENTS/ PROJECTS

FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS

 

Dr. G. NAGARAJ

Lab. Asst. in Zoology, Regional Institute of Education, (NCERT), Manasagangothri, Mysore- 570 006, e-mail: gnriem@gmail.com, mobile: 9036865978.

 Children learn science by being involved not only with its content, but also with its methodology; hence effective science teaching should accommodate both.  The position paper of NCERT (2006) clearly states the aims of Science Education as; it should enable the learner to know the facts and principles of science and its applications, understand the methods and processes of science, develop a historical perspective of science, relate science to the environment, acquire the requisite theoretical knowledge and practical technological skills, nurture the natural curiosity and creativity, imbibe the values and cultivate scientific temper. To achieve such valuable aims innovative and creative teaching practices are vital. In this context, I have designed and proposing a group of innovative, improvised and relatively low/no-cost experiments/ activites for the school students (VII-XII class) which are as follows:

 

1. NO-COST SPIROMETER TO MEASURE VITAL LUNG CAPACITY
		Lung function tests are useful in assessing the functional status of the respiratory system both in physiological and pathological conditions. These tests are based on the measurement of volume of air breathed in and out. Procedure:  Remove the cork, fill 80% the bottle with water, fix the cork again and insert the out-let tube in the measuring bottle. Inspire forcefully to the maximum and blow air forcefully through the inlet pipe. The air entered in the bottle displaces nearly equal amount of waterand it is collected & measured in measuring bottle. Measured volume of water may tell rough volume of lung capacity. Take up a small Project to find out: 1)  Is there any significant difference in VLC between; Male & female, Smokers & non-smokers,  Athletes & non-athletes Singers & non-singers, Vegetarians &non-vegetarians, Anemic &non-anemic,  Alcohol takers & non-takers,  Rural & urban subjects etc. 2) Whether VLC has any relation with age, height, weight, yoga, exercise, occupation, health status and respiratory disorder.
		For details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjb6VKxpdQ&list=UURLhmE8rULXpVaJcohJHJ2w&index=3  &  NROER
2. IMPROVISED RESPIROMETER
		Respirometer is an instrument/ setup/ device used to measure the rate of respiration of a living organism by measuring its rate oxygen uptake or CO2 release. The instrument consists of a sealed container with the living specimen together with a substance to absorb the carbon dioxide given off during respiration. The oxygen uptake is detected by displacement of manometric fluid in a thin glass U-tube connected to the container. Small Projects can be take up to find out the effect of light, temperature, sound, chemical, age of the animal, food (veg, non-veg/ protein, carbohydrate, lipid) on RR of the animal. Advantages of this Instrument are; 1) it is improvised from waste material hence, no expenditure, 2) Simple experiments/ projects can be conducted at schools and even at home, 3) Develops creative thinking, inquiry and experimentation attitude 4) Learning by doing; so creates interest in learning.
		For details: https://www.slideshare.net/gnriem/improvised-respirometer-dr-g
3. STUDY ON DISTRIBUTION OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS
		Fingerprint is an impression left by friction ridges of a finger. A friction ridge is a raised portion of the epidermis. Fingerprint patterns are genetically determined. Every major event between week 6 and week 21 of fetal life leaves its mark on fingerprints. It has 3 types:  loops, whorls & arches. Procedure: On  an A4 sheet draw 50 small boxes (10row x 5column). Give running number to each row. Collect prints (twice) of each fingertip from Thumb to Pinky of Right and left hand separately. Note their personal details on other side. Identifie and note its’ pattern with the help of magnifying lens and guide sheet. Calculate the percentage of patterns for gender, blood group, hypertension, diabetes and wearing spectacle. Observe the difference if any between subgroups conclude based on observation. Quote related references. Digital Dermatoglyphics may be used as a supportive/ predictive tool for clinical diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes. I sincerely believe and propose that this kind of projects can be used as an innovative, effective and low-cost experiment / projects for IX – XII classes to demonstrate the polygenic traits & variation.
		For details: G. Nagaraj, V. Tangpu, K. Shantha Lakshmi  and R. Geetha,  2015. Study on distribution of fingerprint patterns – a novel experiment for school students.  Int J Life Sci Ednl Res. 3(2): 25-30.
4.  BEHAVIOURAL ASSAY IN PARAMECIUM
		Assay of chemotaxic, phototaxic, thermotaxic, electrotaxic and magnetotaxic behavior of Paramecium can be studied with the use of conical flask (250ml), hay, rice, distilled water, microslides, black polythene sheets, acidic, alkaline & saline solutions, colored (red, green, yellow etc.) transparent sheets, 1.5V battery cells, bar magnets and stove. Procedure: To studu phototaxic behavior Place four slides on a black sheet and spread culture medium equally on each slide. Leave the first as control and on second place a black paper folding/cup to cover half (right) of the slide/ medium. On third slide place similar paper folding which has a hole fitted with red colored transparent pvc sheet.  In such setup half (left) of the slide/medium is exposed to light and other half (right) is in dark or in colored light. After 1hr observe where the Paramecia are accumulated and record your observation. Similarly other taxic behavior can be studied.
		For details: G. Nagaraj and S.P. Kulkarni, 2015. Science teaching for school students-simple innovative experiments on Paramecium. Int J Life Sci Ednl Res, 3(2): 15-20.
5. BEHAVIOURAL ASSAY IN DROSOPHYLLA
		Assay of chemotaxic, phototaxic, and geotrophic behavior of Drosophylla can be studied with a bottle, a banana, some sweet item and few transperancy sheets. Collection of Flies: Drosophylla the fruit fly can be collected by keeping a piece of banana in a bottle near the window. Many flies enter into the bottle for banana then plug the mouth of bottle with a piece of cotton.  Procedure: Prepare tubes with tranparancy/ OHP sheets and join them as long tube (1 meter) with transparent tape. Mark every centimeter with marker. Plug one end of the tube with cotton. Unplug the bottle mouth and insert it in other end of the tube. Keep the bottle and tube vertically (as shown in picture) and observe whether the flies settles on top or bottom of the tube and interpret your observation. Similarly other taxic behavior can be studied.
		For details: G. Nagaraj (2017). Simple method to study geotaxis in Drosophila: an inexpensive apparatus to develop ‘home lab’. Acad Soci Res, 3(7):110-116.
6. CREATIVE LEARNING ABOUT GASTRULATION & PROPERTY OF CANCER CELL
	A. Gastrulation: When I was taking a cup of coffee, after 1 or 2 sip I saw the image of v.s of blastula in from the arrangement of bubbles in the coffee cup. This gave me an insight / spark to develop simulation of gastrulation process i.e. morphogenetic movements of blastomers. Procedure: Pour water in bowl up to the rim, Add little soap oil / detergent powder / shampoo and a drop of ink / stain and mix well, With the help of pipette / straw blow air to create single layer of air bubbles as shown in picture, At the upper side (animal pole) create a small hole / gap by breaking few air bubbles, After fe w seconds the gap increases in size and this is the simulation of blastocoel, Upper small bubbles are micromere and lower big bubbles are macromere. Around 4’O clock position gently blow the bubbles from margin towards centre. This movement of layer of cells are the invagination. The invagination leads to formation of blastopore and archenteron as shown in picture. Further, bubbled water can be poured on top a ball as shown in picture. Flow of bubbles on all sides on the surface of the ball simulates the epibolic movement of cells. The above simulation of morphogenetic movements can also be tried with use of beads.
	For details: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E7qvYj3BC0 2. http:// NROER &  slideshare.net/youtube/gnriem. 3. Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer (abstract in souvenir).
		B. Property of cancer cell: a cancer cell looses it’s ‘ contact inhibition’ (a law of cell division) property and continues to proliferate and produces multilayered cell mass, the  ‘tumor’. This can be explained with the same soap water. The materials required are as mentioned in the previous activity. Procedure: Soap solution in the bowl is blowed to create uniform single layer of bubbles. This represents / simulates the division property of normal cell i.e. a normal cell stops division when it contacts with other cell  (contact inhibition) and forms single layer of cells. Continue to blow and produce more bubbles in multilayer as a bunch (as shown in picture-3). This bunch or over growth of cells (bubbles) simulates tumor and property of cancer cell.
		For details: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E7qvYj3BC0 2. http:// NROER &  slideshare.net/youtube/gnriem. 3. Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer.
7.  APPENDAGES OF PRAWN: NO-COST SELF LEARNING MATERIAL
		Procedure: Get a prawn, fix in formalin or sun dry for 2 days. Paste a white sheet/ chart on a card board and draw a table of 4 columns and 1+19 rows. Remove 19 appendages of prawn (right/ left) one by one and paste them serially in the II column with Fevicol as shown in the picture. Write the name of the appendage in the III column and functions (2 or 3 words) in IV column. Laminate the board with transparency sheet & gum tape and it is ready for use. Advantages are: 1) It can be used as self learning material for school students 2) No-expenditure 3) Develops creative thinking 4) Long lasting 5) Creates interest in learning.
		For details: 1. https://www.slideshare.net/gnriem/no-cost-self-learning-material-dr-g-nagaraj  & NROER. 2. Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer (abstract in souvenir).
8. LEAF COLLAGE & VEGETABLE IMPRINTS FOR CREATIVE LEARNING OF BIOLOGY
		A. Leaf collage is a creative art in which different kinds of leaves are assembled and pasted together to give a structure like animal/ plant/ other materials. Procedure: Collect various kinds of leaves, Cut a piece of chart paper / card board, Assemble and paste selected leaves on the chart in such a way that it gives a shape/ structure like tortoise, butterfly, starfish, (house, fan, telephone) etc., Draw margin and label the shape. The basic rule of the collage is that the leaves should not be cut i.e. use complete leaf. Advantages: Students learn the morphological features like shape, size, colour & venation of leaves (Botany) and shape of animals (Zoology), Further by preparing animal shapes, imaginative ability and creative thinking are stimulated and they see the shapes of the animals in leaves.
		B. Vegetable imprint is also a creative art where the T.S / L.S of various vegetables are printed on a sheet with use of ink/ stain.  Procedure: Take a vegetable and cut transversely (T.S.) or longitudinally (L.S.), Dip the cut portion of the vegetable in the ink or stain kept in the plate/cup, Print the impression of the vegetable on a sheet/ chart by gentle pressing of the inked portion, Make your own shapes/ design with one or multicolour according to your imagination, Draw margin and give suitable name to your design.  Advantages: Students can compare and learn the placentation in different vegetable (Bot), When he/ she prepares animal design with the imprints she/ he learns shapes of animals (Zool), By doing multiple imprints of various vegetable with different color, students create an  innovative design which is an indicator of creativity, Sustains students interest.
		For details: Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer (abstract in souvenir).
9. MOSAIC PAINTING AND THREAD PAINTING TO STIMULATE CREATIVITY
		A. Mosaic Painting is an art / design in which multi-coloured paints are painted on a sheet through water (without brush). Procedure: Cut the chart paper into required size, Take half bucket of water, Sprinkle various colour oil paints in the water, Blow gently so that it forms a mosaic patterned layer on the surface of the water, Dip the chart paper vertically and take back immediately, observe the magic in the chart; the mosaic painting is done on chart and Allow the painting to dry and store it.
		B. Thread Painting also an art where painting/ design is made on a sheet with use of thread.  Procedure: Cut the chart/ white paper into required size and fold in the middle, Take one feet thread and dip in ink/ stain kept in the petridish, Place the stained thread in between folding of the chart, Hold the folded chart (with the thread inside) with left hand and pull the thread gently with right hand, Open and see the magic inside the folding; this design is the thread painting, Take another thread, dip in another color and repeat the same steps on the same chart or another.
		For details: Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer (abstract in souvenir).
10. BUTTERFLY, BEETLE AND HONEYBEE PRESERVATION
		Butterfly preservation:  Butterflies are collected and preserved for scientific study or as a hobby. Preparation: Collect the dead butterflies which are found on corridor, garden etc. (please do not kill butterflies). Sundry the butterfly for three days. Make a pouch with a transparent OHP sheet. Keep the butterfly in the pouch and seal the four sides with colour gum tape (Pic. 5). Advantages: This is an easy method of preservation for butterfly. Further, it is protected from dust and dorsal and ventral sides are seen. This can be fixed on the wall or showcase as decorative item.
		Beetles and honeybee preservation: Beetles and honeybees are preserved to study the morphology, economic importance etc. Preparation: Collect the dead beetles and bees found on the corridor or garden and sundry them for three days. Collect the transparent empty cover-slip boxes in the lab (or even any other small waste boxes like jewel boxes, wrist watch boxes etc.) and fix a thermo coal-paper bed as shown in picture 6. With the help of fevicol/ gum fix two beetles, one in dorsal view and another in ventral view and close the lid. Advantages: Such preservation activity promotes the attitude of using the waste materials meaningfully and develops the skill of artistic displaying among students; in other words, ‘waste is a resource for learning science’.
		For details: Nagaraj G and Sukumar A (2017). National Seminar on Science Education, 21-23, November, RIE, Ajmer (abstract in souvenir).
11. MAGIC IN EDUCATION: AN INNOVATIVE STRATEGY OF TEACHING SCIENCE
		At primary level science can be dealt with certain interest creating activities. When the science teacher makes use of enjoyable teaching strategies like drama, dance, music, painting etc., the strategies can be proved to be vital in the effective learning by children.  Some schools have started making use of these effective tools for the teaching efficiently and getting better results. The learning by the children would be effective if it takes place in the joyful setting in the hands of the skill full teacher.  Besides all other innovations in teaching science concepts teacher at primary level can try certain basic MAGIC tricks to make their teaching more interesting one by creating curiosity among the children to observe the activities with more enthusiasm and natural interest.  This book titled ''MAGIC IN EDUCATION” describes how to use magic for innovative teaching strategy?

 

 

 

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