Venalkoottu-2015, an environmental study camp organised by the Community Biodiversity Centre of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) for government school students in the district, concluded on Thursday.
It was organised in association with the Society For Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment, Thiruvananthapuram, as part of the Every Child A Scientist (ECAS) programme of the MSSRF.
The 17-day programme was aimed at nurturing scientific temper and artistic talent among the children, Robin Varghese, programme coordinator, ECAS, said. It also envisaged sensitising the children to biodiversity conservation in the region.
A four-day training programme on English communication by the Academic Forum for Research and Communication, a non-governmental organisation in the district, was the highlight of the programme, Mr. Varghese said.
The students were also given training in photography, documentary production, vegetable and watercolour painting, and ornament making. Experts led classes on various topics such as science and society and medicinal plants and biodiversity management. Study tours and trekking were also conducted.
N. Anilkumar, Director, MSSRF, inaugurated the valedictory session.
As many as 45 select children studying in classes 5 to 9 in various schools in the district participated in the free residential programme.
