‘Special’ Science Projects Expo

Prof. P. Venkataramaiah, President, Committee for the Development of Science in Schools (CDSS), GoK, is seen taking a look at one of the science models at the 'Science Expo for Students with Special Needs' in JSS PDA premises in city recently. Others seen are Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha and A.M. Ramesh, Chief Executive Officer, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy

Mysuru: A Science Expo for Students with Special Needs was organised by JSS Polytechnic for Differently Abled (JSS PDA) to demonstrate academic projects of specially-abled students of diploma courses in Mysuru and its neighbourhood.

JSS PDA, an autonomous institution affiliated to the Department of Technical Education, offers three-year diploma courses in various branches for differently-abled students. The courses are structured similar to the regular Diploma courses under other Universities. JSS PDA offers education to students with hearing impairment, visual impairment, orthopedical handicap, and loco motor disabilities.

The students demonstrated economical ways of utilising resources like water and electricity through simple science. Magnetic lines of force and their application for mobile and television speakers; usage of graphite to generate electricity; software to monitor court cases, facial expressions; use of acidic nature of fruits and vegetables to generate electricity, etc, were on display under computer science and electronics projects.

Rainwater harvesting; waste decomposition methods; latest architectural designs, etc. were on display under architecture. Usage of Braille, JAWS and NVDA softwares to impart education to visually-impaired students were demonstrated. Imitation jewellery and art pieces made from a mould, casting metals, were demonstrated by jewellery design and  technology students.

Students demonstrating a science model during the exhibition.

Students from The National Association for the Blind, a centre in Yadavagiri, that trains visually-impaired students to work on automation and machine technologies, filing and fitting jobs, moulding, mat and chair making, etc. displayed their projects.

“Coordination among each other and determination to learn a concept thoroughly are the attributes of the students, worth inculcating. This has improved our patience level tremendously. They volunteer and organise programmes by delegating tasks among themselves,” explained B.P. Dakshayini, a faculty member in Architecture Department.

About 40% students get placed in companies like Infosys and Wipro every year, she added.

This post was published on November 5, 2018 6:32 pm