Science can be made interesting, says IIT professor

chennai: a sound basic knowledge in science is essential irrespective of what one does later in life, believes t.s. natarajan, professor of physics, iit madras. teaching science  for over three decades, has been promoting science education among school children in the country. in the short hash out with him, her reveals his passion for teaching basic electronics. t.s.natarajan believes in asking questions and making children find the answers. he categorically feels that science in a classroom should be made exciting. according to him electronics is a basic science and 'even a housewife should know the basics otherwise she will be exploited,' he says. the professor recounted how science, if applied in practical situations makes it fascinating, but regrets 'we have programmed our children and they come out like factory products. science cannot be learnt that way,' at the intel science and engineering fair held recently in reno, nevada, usa, in which 1,500 students from 53 countries participated, a chennai-based schoolboy won the second prize for his research showcasing a method to light up villages using cow dung and led. dr. natarajan, who mentored him, was impressed by the boy’s choice of locally available products. according to the scholar, a good teacher makes a student ask for more. they excite the students and provoke their thinking process. asking one question may mark the beginning of the end of ignorance.  if parents are motivated towards science then half the battle is won. language is no barrier in understanding science. the examinations should be problem and application oriented. the children should be motivated towards research at an early age. for which, the teachers should be motivated.   dr.natarajan is presently involved in enabling group activity in school classrooms. he is coordinating development of computer-based physics curriculum in school education for classes vi to ix. he is also involved in developing video and web-based course in basic electronics as part of the national programme on technology enhanced learning of the iit-m that emphasises on learning by doing.