Starting early on the path to a research mindset

For most students, the summer holidays before their final year in school begins mean extra classes and studying the Class XII portions. For this group of 30 students, however, this summer was spent indulging in scientific research in a variety of subjects ranging from condensed matter physics to data analysis and interpretation of cyclonic rains.

For the past few weeks, students from different schools in the city have been part of the Research Science Initiative Chennai (RSIC) organised by Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Schools and the Indian Institute of Technology–Madras (IIT-M). The idea of the RSIC is to introduce students to the world of research during the holidays.

Two students, for example, are working on Bio-mimetic molecules (synthetic molecules that imitate those that occur in nature). “The biology I am learning here is very advanced compared to what I am learning in schools, but the professors explain it in a way that I understand it,” Smriti Suresh from Chettinad Vidyashram said.

Tanvi Kumar from DAV Mogappair, on the other hand is learning programming languages such as MATLAB and Octave to be able to make predictions on the failure in engineering design. Other projects undertaken by students this year include digitisation of signals using Fourier series, metabolic engineering and classic fractals.

Each of the students is assigned a mentor, a researcher at IIT-M, who guides them through the project. “Although it is only a small introduction, these students learn to write a report, cite, present, attribute and present their work,” V. Balakrishnan, Chairman of RSIC, said.

For many students, the problem is that there is not enough awareness on the avenues of scientific research in the country. “There are a number of options for scientific research in India, whether it is ISRO, DRDO, atomic research, or biomedical research, but often, students are not even aware of their existence until they have completed their masters research,” Prof. Balakrishnan said, adding that the programme was a way for them to try and encourage students to take up research.

K. Mangala Sunder, chairman, RSIC, said, “The best elementary and undergraduate textbooks outside the country list the applications in industry of a certain concept”. In India, often students are not introduced to the practical applications of a certain field of science, and so, there are many employment avenues that remain untapped, he added.

The program, which was started six years ago, was inspired by the methodologies used in the US, where students are allowed to work freely in laboratories at MIT and other prestigious institutions.

“Through the programme, we are hoping to train children to understand science, and also help them go beyond rote learning,” Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, Dean and Director, PSBBSS said.

A group of 30 students spent the summer studying a variety of subjects from condensed matter physics to data analysis