Welcome to the website for the
Elon University Traveling Science Centre
to Kerala, India
Introduction to the Project:
Inquiry learning has become a valuable part of the science and math K-12 curriculum in the United States. Ch
ildren have the opportunity to develop a curiosity in mathematics, science, and technology, through experiential teaching approaches and through informal education in science centers and museums in the country. This curiosity is essential if the young generation is to grow up with a scientific/technological literacy needed to make the best of the opportunities in the world today.
The objective of this project is to bring inquiry based educational experiences to a large number of children in Kerala, in the form of a Traveling Science Centre. Ten science exhibits will make their way through several schools before being donated to science centres and schools in the state. The exhibit activities will be monitored by Elon University students in conjunction with High School students from the schools. This collaboraration will provide an opportunity to explore various approaches to science education and the importance of the scientific inquiry process to science education and litaracy. It will also allow for a cultural exchange to take place between Indian and Elon University students.
Exhibit Descriptions (2010):
Exhibit |
Description |
| Arthropods | Students examine several small animals up close in this exhibit by using a digital microscope. These include a scorpion, a beetle, a praying mantis, and a spider, which are preserved in plastic casings that allow an easy viewing. Students can compare body parts among the animals and learn about arthropods. |
| Textiles And Textures | In this exhibit students explore different types of textiles and textures using a digital microscope. Students explore how textiles are woven and how various textures look at the small scale. Then they relate these small-scale patterns to the large-scale properties of the given materials. |
| Rotational Motion | Students will conceptualize the physical principle of conservation of angular momentum by working with a spinning wheel, a spinning platform, and hand held weights. A student is asked to sit on the spinning platform while holding a weight in each hand. He or she explores how the spinning motion changes to conserve angular momentum when his or her arms are outstretched or folded in. Students will also discover that it takes an effort to change the orientation of a spinning wheel, indicating that direction is an aspect of angular momentum. |
| Center of Gravity | This activity uses wooden blocks to demonstrate the concept of center of gravity. Students are given a set of blocks and are asked to balance them on top of each other, extending them out as far as they can from the edge of the table or desk. The best design is the one that extends out the furthest, and is determined by measuring with a ruler. Students discuss how the center of gravity allows the blocks to balance and how the center of gravity changes, as blocks are stacked. |
| Robotics | This exhibit explores the field of robotics. Students use a control panel in order to move a robotic arm and accomplish a simple task, such as picking up and dropping a pencil. The exhibit demonstrates how scientific ideas behind levers, gears, motors, and wiring, come together in practice in a useful technological application. |
| Height Versus Arm Span | This exhibit explores the concepts of statistical distribution and correlation. Students measure their height and arm span, and plot their measurements on a single large graph. When enough data is plotted statistical trends can be identified. Eventually students are able to see the results for their entire school. |
| Heart Rate And Blood Pressure | Students measure their heart rates and blood pressure before and after doing a simple physical activity. The measurement methods are discussed as well as the reasons for the change in the parameters. |
| Human Eye | The eye exhibit allows students to examine an enlarged model of the human eye. Students identify the various parts of the eye and their respective functions. The optics of the eye is explored by looking first at diverging and converging lenses, and then at a variable focus lens. The function of eyeglasses is modeled with thin lenses. |
| Internal Organs | In this exhibit students are encouraged solve the puzzle that is the human body. A life size, realistically designed, plastic human torso with internal organs that can be manipulated and assembled encourages students to learn about the form and function of the human body. Students are urged to place the internal organs into the torso while thinking not only about how they fit in shape and size, but also how the purpose of the organs relates to their placement. |
| Electroplating | Students place a piece of copper in a harmless solution of zinc sulfate and sodium sulfate, opposite a zinc plate. The copper is attached to the negative end of a battery, and the zinc plate is attached to the positive end. By charging the metals in this fashion, positive zinc ions in the solution are attracted to the negatively charged copper. As a result, the piece of copper will gain a silver finish, a small quantity of hydrogen gas is released, and a precipitate is seen in the solution. Students learn about the chemistry of this reaction and the uses of electroplating in industrial processes. |
Collaborators:
Professor K.G. Nair, Director
Centre for Science in Society
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Ms. Maya Mohan, Principal
Mr. V. Sathesan, Head Science Teacher
Professor C.P Unnikrishnan, Former Head Science Teacher
Chinmanyanbda School
Cochin
Mr. KN Sreejayan, Chemistry Teacher
Shrikrishnapuram Higher Secondary School
Shrikrishnapuram
Mr. TP Ramdas, Chemistry Teacher
Government Higher Secondary School
Vellinizhi
Dr. Nirmala, Principal
Shanthiniketan School
Trivandrum
Fr. Mathew Karoor, Principal
Mr. Aby Abraham, Science Teacher
St. Mary's School, Pattom
Trivandrum
Mr. Vijaya Raghavan, Director
Mr. Kuriakose, Principal
Ms. Sreeja Ravan, Head Science Teacher
Trivandrum International School
Contact Information:
Dr. Crista Coles-Arangala |
Dr. Martin Kamela Associate Professor of Physics Elon University 2625 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244, USA Tel: 336-278-6266 Fax: 336-278-6258 Email: mkamela@elon.edu http://www.elon.edu/mkamela |
Updated November 20 2009 by MK.