Salters’ Chemistry Camps extend reach into Northeast India

Over 130 students from 35 government funded schools participated in the camps. Most of the students came from remotely located schools, with limited funding and chemistry laboratory infrastructure.

Assam – India’s north-eastern state – has been marred with problems such as inadequate educational infrastructural facilities, fewer faculty members, low enrolment rates, low levels of motivation amongst students, gender bias and student drop-out. Organising two Salters’ Chemistry Camps in Assam infused energy and interest amongst the secondary school students, using an interactive, fun and educational environment to encourage them to pursue careers in chemistry.

Furthermore, the Yusuf Hamied Inspirational Chemistry programme has been extended to other Northeast Indian states. The next chemistry camp will take place at the North East Hill University (NEHU), in Shillong, Meghalaya from 30 January until 1 February 2017.

We plan to extend the Salters’ Chemistry Camp education outreach programme to other states in Northeast India and continue to create enthusiasm among young students for the future study of chemistry.

In addition to the camps in Northeast India, five more Salters’ Chemistry Camps have taken place in the past year:

• Rajasthan Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani: 18–20 July 2016
• Punjab Indian Institute of Science, Technology and Research (IISER), Mohali: 25–27 July 2016
• Andhra Pradesh Agastya International Foundation: 7–9September 2016
• Maharashtra Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Pune: 14–16 December 2016
• Karnataka Manipal Institute of Technology, Mangalore: 4–6 Jan 2017

To date, over 750 school students from less advantaged backgrounds, from over 225 different schools across eight Indian states have experienced hands-on practical chemistry in university laboratories, the opportunity to interact with researchers and like-minded students and life at university through Salters’ Chemistry Camps.

What the students said

"The chemistry camp was very interesting and enjoyable. We learnt a lot of things here. It developed our interest towards chemistry. It was a great learning experience and a golden chance for me to be selected for the camp." 

Anju Gurjar JNV School

"I am at loss of words for this fabulous chemistry camp. I can say that it was a very interesting, motivating and a great learning experience."      

Ritesh Raj Pilani public school

What the teachers said

"I have no words to express my gratitude to you for Salters' Chemistry Camp at IISER Mohali. I had never attended such camp which was more inspirational for me than students. I think no one except you can make it feasible in future. 24–27th July 2016 at IISER Mohali, under your dynamic supervision and valuable guidance are unforgettable. I wish your success in   your endeavour."
                                                                   
Gurdip Singh Chemistry lecturer, G.S.S.S. Dadhahur

"Overall the camp was a very exciting, attractive, enjoyable and knowledge gaining occasion for me. I must appreciate your effort and I am lucky enough to be a part of it. Since I belong to an area where we don't have sufficient scope to perform the experiments practically for our students. So I would like to invite you to conduct some of the camps in our areas also so as to uplift the moral of our students and attract them towards science."     
    
Tosnim Alfirdoss CRCC, Bhandara cluster of 27 government schools, Bongaigaon district, Assam

This story appears as part of the February edition of our India Newsletter.