ASSIGNMENT

EDU 09 : THEORETICAL BASES OF NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION.

TOPIC: CLUB ACTIVITIES

SUBMITTED BY,
ASHA R NAIR
NATURAL SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION
CLUB ACTIVITIES

Participating in student club has been recently become very

familiar with students during their academic period. Of
course, there must be some considerable reasons for this
tendency among a large number of students. Actually, being
the member of clubs or organizations offers young people
many special benefits that have been the fundamental
advantages in their future jobs.
First of all, joining student clubs is one of the happiest
periods of students life. While it might be argued that each
student always studies in a big class with a lot of classmates,
the truth is that not all of them could be his/her close friends.
In contrast, the members in a club share many things in
common such as goals, hobbies and characteristics. For
example, all of the members in a volunteering organization
are willing to help difficult-circumstance people and
contribute to the society, so they do everything with their
enthusiasm and solidarity among members.
Secondly, working during the academic period helps students
learn many practical and useful skills, which are very
essential for their higher education and future jobs. With the

traditional educational system in Vietnam, students have little

chance to learn soft skills such as teamwork skill,
presentation skill or communication skill, etc. In contrast, the
student clubs or non-profit organizations offer their members
a practical environment that helps them improve themselves
and promote. A club with members from different classes and
faculties forms a network that will still exist even after
graduation.

SCIENCE CLUB
The spark from

heaven falls , who picks it up ? The

Crowd ? Never . The Individual ? Always . It is he and he

alone , as artist, inventor, explorer, scholar, scientist, spiritual
leader or statesmen, who stands nearest to the source of life
and transmits its essence to his fellow men.
The scientific and technological advancement of today is a
long forward journey from stone age. As we live in an age of
science , it is essential that the students have a deep insight in
to the background of science. People seem to possess the
seeds of creativeness but climate for its germination is
absent.. It is generally seen that our school programmes are
not giving due place to scientific experiences and proper
environment . Schools lay too much of emphasis on rigidity
and traditionalism.
Each individual has his own interests , talents, and abilities.
Even a progressive syllabus fails to cater to the needs of each
. Science educators, now a days are found to exhibit growing

interest and means of stimulating group participation and

mobilizing interest in learning science. Organizing science
clubs is one among such activities.
Learning by doing and learning by living are two essentials of
learning science. Children are interested in making things,
breaking things and handling things. But the curriculum does
not satisfy this natural urge. In the classroom every thing is
done in a formal , artificial and controlled atmosphere. This
will never give the child an opportunity for his free flights in
the world of science. Our classroom teaching does not
provide opportunity for self expression, constructive activities
and independent enquiry. N o time is assigned for practical
work. A ll these lead to the need for an organization. An
organization which caters for the inculcation of scientific
attitude , and a genuine interest in science and also can
supplement the work of the classroom and give the syllabus a
practical dimension may be called a science club.
Through activities of a science club, learning of science
becomes joyful. The science club to freedom for expression,
where as the classroom atmosphere leads to conformity and

repression . While activity participating in a science club

students organize thought and translate these in to action and
thereby develop a zealous enthusiasm to strive for the cause
of scientific enterprise.
a. Objectives of Science Club
1.To develop a general interest in science.
2.To inculcate scientific attitude and provide opportunities
for training in scientific method.
3.To develop interest in scientific hobbies.
4. To develop habits of exploration and creative faculties.
5. To encourage individual and group activities.
6. To make the students and public science minded.
7. To stimulate active participation and initiative among
students in the learning process.
8. To keep the students in touch with the recent advances
bin science.
9. To provide challenging opportunities to the gifted.
b. Organisation of science club
A properly organized science club will be a valuable aid
to teaching science and also means of motivating the children
for learning science. The successful working of the club
depends on the persons who organize it and also on the

interest and enthusiasm of students . Though science club is

run by the students for the students, the science teacher is the
pivot of all activities.
To begin with, the science teacher can explain the importance
and benefits of organising science club and can arouse
enthusiasm among students . This discussion may be
followed by a business meeting in which office bearers are
chosen. Every science club should have its own constitution.
There should be a general body and an executive body. The
principal or headmaster should be the patron and the science
teachers should be the sponsors. Executive members such as
president, vice president , secretary, treasurer, librarian,
publicity officer, etc. are chosen among the student members.
The executive committee has to chalk out programmes . The
activities of the club should be taken by the students
themselves. There should be regular meetings, discussions,
planning, feedback, etc.
c. Activities of the Science Club
1.Organising lectures, debates, seminars, symposia, etc.
2. Holding science exhibition and fairs.
3.Celebrating birth days of eminent scientists
4. Participating in science fairs

5. Conducting visual programmes of scientific interest

6. Arranging visits to places of scientific interest
7. Preparing of charts , portures, models, etc.
8. Developing school garden
9. Displaying science news
10. Planting and growing trees and plants
11. Improvising and preparing handmade apparatus.
12. Collecting specimens and arranging them in the
museum.
13. Managing a first aid squad
14. General reading of scientific literature
15. Rendering school services in health and sanitation
16. Visiting other science clubs.
17. Conducting essay competition on scientific problems
18. Maintaining an Aquarium
19. Participating in scientific hobbies Preparation of
soaps, ink, candle, matches, toys, bleaching powder, nail
polish, chalk, etc.
20.
Helping the community by way of demonstration on
health

and

hygiene,

improvement

of

agriculture,

eradication of superstitious belief, etc.

21. Celebrating science days.
22. Maintaining a bulletin board
23. Publishing school science magazine
24. Preparing albums and conducting projects.
SCIENCE FAIR AND EXHIBITIONS

Science fair and exhibitions are purely an educative activity

carried out in a systematic manner entirely for the
advancement of science . It is an opportunity for students to
apply scientific method to conduct independent research. The
result of each students research is presented in a school wide
science fair, where the students efforts are displayed and
students are interviewed to determine scientific merit.
Students who have been judged to have demonstrated
thoroughness in their studies and efforts are advanced to
compete in regional, state, national and international science
fairs. The fair helps the students benefit from the achievement
of others, and promote a spirit of competition. Students can
learn many things which cannot be learned from the class
rooms. Science fair provides opportunity for detecting and
cultivating scientific talent. It is an excellent device for
acquainting parents as well as other people in the community
with the science related work being done in the schools.
Every school should organize a science exhibitions once in a
year.

It is an excellent device for acquainting the parents as well

as other people in the community, with the science related
work being done in schools. Science fair provides an
opportunity for the display of valuable work done in the
science club by the students and sponsers . The fair helps the
students benefit from the achievement of others, and
promotes a spirit of competition . Students can learn many
things which can not be learnt through classroom teaching.
Instinctive urges of pupils , such as desire for aquisition ,
satisfying curiosity, participating in constructive works, etc.
also get satisfaction. Their talents are recognized and
encouraged

which

in

turn

would

provide

strong

reinforcement. Science fairs provide opportunity for detecting

and cultivating scientific talents.

Every school should organize science exhibition once in a

year. This may include exhibits of students as well as
demonstrations, talks, etc. made by experts , film shows on
scientific topics, debates, science plays, etc. The science fair
will provide opportunity for the close co-operation of
students, their parents and teachers.
a. Purposes and Values of Science Fair
1.To stimulate and encourage interest in science.
2. To focus attention on science experiences in schools.
3. To provide situations for scientific hobbies.
4. To recognize and encourage talents
5. To provide opportunity for display of talents through
exhibits
6. To stimulate greater interest in scientific investigations
over the routine class work.
7. To make the public science minded.
Science fairs have intellectual, psychological, social and
educational values.
b. Organisation of a Science Fair
The organization of a science fair should be a teacherpupil activity and everything should be thought of well
in advance. The following factors are to be considered
while organizing the science fair.

1. Planning : It is essential that planning is

thoroughly done. Doing planning the following aspects
should be considered.
i. Objectives of the fair.
ii. Scope of the fair- who could participate in the
fair ?

Participation to be limited to the school or

kept open to others schools, what types of

programmes, are to be included etc.
iii. Procedure
iv. Financing
v. Location, time and duration
vi. Other factors and facilities- necessary
arrangements, control, etc.
2. Distribution of work: Duties should be assigned to
individuals and groups. Various committees are to be
constituted , which are responsible for different programmes.
There may be an advisory committee, a reception committee,
a publicity committee and various sub-committees. While

distributing the work , talents and interests should be taken in

to consideration.
3. Execution : Programmes decided up on while planning are
now to be organized systematically and put to action. All
exhibits must be properly mounted and labeled . Volunteers
should be arranged for explaining the exhibit to the visitors.
4. Judging: The fair should be judged by an expert team.
Separate criteria are to be developed for judging each item
say,- still model, working model, projects, etc.
The NCERT has listed the following criteria for judging a fair
:
Scientific

approach,

Orginally,

Technical

skill

and

workmanship, thoroughness, Dramatic value and personal

interview.
5. Evaluation : When the fair is over, teachers and students
should evaluate it and find out whether the objectives of the
fair have been achieved or not. If not, try to improve it next
time.

MANUSCRIPT MAGAZINE
A manuscript is any document written by hand, or manually
typewritten, as opposed to being mechanically printed or
reproduced in some automated way. Before the arrival of
printing, all documents and books were manuscripts.
Manuscripts are not defined by their contents, which may
combine writing with mathematical calculations, maps,
explanatory figures or illustrations. Manuscripts may be in
book form, scrolls or in codex format. Illuminated
manuscripts are enriched with pictures, border decorations,
elaborately embossed initial letters or full-page illustrations.
In the present age every big school has its own magazine. It is
organised by the teachers and pupils of the school. Generally
students of all classes are invited to contribute their worth as
contributions to the Editor.
The difference between a school magazine and other monthly
magazines available in the market is that the former is meant
for the students of the particular school or educational
institution. The Editor is mostly a teacher who is assisted by
capable students or a committee of students.

It is difficult to manage a magazine in small schools because of

the cost it involves. When contributions are made by students
of different classes a committee is made to decide which
articles are to be printed with additions and alterations. The
cost of magazine is met from the fees collected from the
students as magazine fees. More any deficit it is made up from
the school funds.
Generally the best articles are selected and corrected before
being sent to the press for publication. The usefulness of
magazine lies in the fact that it develops the habit of writing
and enthuses students to write original essays. It develops the
originality of thinking in students. One cannot write something
without a clear judgment, imagination and good knowledge of
the thing.
School magazine provides a scope for writing independently.
Generally students have a fascination for cramming for
securing good marks in the examination. But the school
magazine facilitates them to make their articles as good as
possible.

This magazine serves as an inspiration for students who have

some ideas and thoughts but do not have an opportunity to
express. Its educational value is high and the artists, poets;
writers owe a lot to the school magazines since school
magazine lays -his foundation of building artists. The school
magazine can otherwise be called a training ground for good
writers.
Knowledge comes from books whereas wisdom stems from
experience. Unless one reads numerous books other than text
books, he cannot cultivate the habit of writing. The school
magazine establishes a link between the new and the old
students. The copy of a magazine serves as a reminiscence of
school days for old boys reading previously in the institution.
The sight of a magazine reminds the old boys of their sweet
bygone school days. The school magazine instills a sort of
competitive spirit in students through articles on various topics.
The articles given by teachers provide some important and
useful information to students. The articles are of enormous
practical utility to them. The writings of teachers are highly

inspiring for new writers who don't know the art of writing.

A School Magazine is a periodical. The students maintain it

with the help of their teachers. It contains essays, poems and
articles. The School Magazine is different from other
magazines. Its circulation is limited to students only. It is not
written for the public. Hence it has nothing for the interest of
public. It generally contains sporting news. It tells about the
previous results. It has the name of those who brought fame
to the institution.
ADVANTAGES OF A MANUSCRIPT MAGAZINE

The School Magazine has many advantages. It teaches

students how to write. Boys generally avoid writing work. To
contribute articles to the magazine they have to write
something. For their magazine they have to read and write
regularly.
Secondly, School Magazine encourages the students to carry
on their study with great energy. They take part in games to
see their names in the School Magazine. Each School
Magazine has statements about the progress the students, the
prizes, the medals they win. So those who are eager to see

their names in the magazine, must work hard and their books.
They must do their best on the play ground.
Thirdly, the school magazine brings the students in close
touch with one another. The writers read other books to
increase their knowledge. Again they learn to think for
themselves. Their thinking increase their reasoning power. A
regular contribution to the magazine improves their art of
writing. It gives them a command on the language.
Fourthly, the students learn the value of co-operation for the
success of the magazine. A good split of competition comes
among the boys. The essay written by teacher, have many
practical suggestions for the students. The boys learn the art
of writing from the writings of their worthy teachers.
The School Magazine is the concern of students. They
conduct it with the help of teachers. Its Chief Editor is the
Principal. A Committee compound of other teachers and the
boys is formed. In some cases students act as sub-editors. The
Editors are the senior teachers.
Every school should have a magazine of its own. The
magazine serves a living record of writings of the would be
good writer. A school magazine is no less than a teachers. Its

gives the students a regular exercise of both the brain and the
pen.
FIELD TRIP AND EXCURSIONS
Field trip and excursions are interchangeably used in
educational literature. But in strict sense they are different.
An excursion is a school journey involving any organised
travel made by teachers and students primarily with an
educational motive in mind . Field trips are organised visits of
teachers and students to immediate or distant places to enrich
learning experiences and to further instructional purposes of
regular class room activities. The field trip is distinguished by
its concentration on learning particular aspects. Hence its
success is judged by the fulfillment of pre- determined goals.
Education is not confined to class teaching. Life in the class
room can cover only a small part of our total life. If learning
is to result in the total development of the learners, we must
go beyond our school walls in to the community as students
and as working participants. The chief purpose of field trips is
to give students first hand experiences that cannot be had in
the classroom. Students can see things, hear things, handle

things and can examine them minutely. Hence field trip is an

outdoor lesson in action. Many objects and phenomena can
be studied best in their natural setting. Field trips provide
opportunities for learning through the use of many techniques
other than reading and speaking. Field trips stimulate interest
and increase appreciation. As it co-relates learning in the
classroom with the community, it develops better social
awareness and social skills, in pupils. In short field trips
provide

enough

raw

materials

that

would

promote

development of senses, knowledge, emotions and skills.

a.Values of Field Trip and Excursion
1.Gives first hand experiences.
2.Supplements and enriches class room teaching.
3.Creates spirit of scientific enquiry.
4.Gives training in observation
5.Stimulates interest in nature and learning.
6.Correlates the school life with the outside world
7.Provides opportunities for utilising community resources
8.Gives relief from the routine classroom work
9.Develops qualities like leadership , co-operation, good
public relation, self confidence, etc.
10. Provides opportunities for bringing out talents and tastes.
b. Organising a Field Trip

To be effective, the trip must be planned carefully, otherwise

it will be just a wastage of time, energy and money. The
following are the stages involved in the completion of a field
trip.
1. A felt need : The purpose of the journey should be clear
to students. They should have a clear understanding of
why they are going out, where to and what exactly they
might be expected to do.
2.Selecting a suitable place and securing the permission
from the resource centre.
3.Listing out specific objectives.
4.Planning and preparation.
5.Conducting the actual field trip or excursion.
6.Consolidating the results and taking up follow up
activities. The trip must be followed by discussion, reports
or even a written test.
7. The field trip should not be taken as a pleasure trip,
though it is a sort of an enjoyable activity. School
authorised, teacher-planned, curriculum-integratef field
trips can provide the most real learning experience.

CONCLUSION
Education should be for life and not merely for a livelihood.
It should train all our mental and Physical faculties. For this
purpose various clubs and debating societies formed in
schools and colleges, for producing a complete human
beings.
Club is a place where people get together for the discussion
of various problems and for spending the leisure time. Club is
the meeting place of the students for many activities. There
are many clubs in educational institutions like literary club,
science club, History club, and other clubs..
The major functions of the school club are to get information
about the every day happenings in the world. Maps, charts

and models are also prepared by the members of the club.

And account of travels, and a record of speeches made by the
great men of the world are maintained. To collect the good
humored and witty discussions of burning questions, pathetic
story-telling in the form of novel, and firm fact telling by the
real agents concerned in the events of passing history is a
peculiar job of this club.
Curiosity is a natural impulse in man. We are always curious
about our neighbors and about our fellowmen. School clubs
satisfy this curiosity by providing different activities.
In conclusion, students can receive many benefits while
working in clubs and organizations. However, there are still a
high proportion of students which are very inactive and
always concentrate on theoretical studying. As a result, each
university and the students themselves should notice the
importance of taking part in social activities and take action
immediately.

REFERENCES
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/manuscript.
Harper, Douglas. "Manuscript." Online Etymology
Dictionary. November 2001. Accessed 10-11-2007.
Dr. K. Sivarajan and Prof. A. Faziluddin. 2014.
Methodology of teaching and pedagogic analysis.
Dr. Mariamma Mathew. 2014. Teaching Science For
Biological and Physical Sciences.