CHEMISTRY WORKSHOP HELD ON 17TH & 18TH SEPTEMBER 2009

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge - Albert Einstein

The Principal and Vice Principals along with Chemistry Department

The Chemistry Department of Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram organized a workshop for chemistry teachers on 17th and 18th September 2009 on the theme "Challenges in Teaching Chemistry”. It was well attended by more than 100 teachers from about 50 schools all over Delhi and NCR.

Lighting of the lamp by Mr. Ashok Chandra	The Chairman addresses the gathering

On the morning of 17th September, the Principal, Dr. D.R.Saini welcomed Mr. Ashok Chandra, the Chairman of Delhi Public School Society, who inaugurated the workshop. The workshop was host to a galaxy of experts in the fields of Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry.

Principal, Dr. D. R. Saini welcomes the participants	Mr. Prem Dhawan welcoming Prof. Bakhshi as the Vice Principal looks on

The session started off on a high note with Prof. A.K.Bakhshi’s impressive talk on “Chemistry Education in the 21st Century”. He elaborated on the ever changing education scenario in terms of growth of knowledge in Chemistry to be far exceeding even the population growth.  Although he  emphasized on the significance of e-learning as an integral supplement to teaching, yet the integral role of the teacher could not be overlooked. Our Chairman, Mr. Ashok Chandra and our Principal, Dr. D.R.Saini responded to his talk by giving enlightening inputs. Prof. Bakhshi laid stress on the fact that e-learning besides being in sync with the current attitude of the students was also a time saver. He also gave an impressive presentation on “Quantum Mechanics”. An effective Question Answer Session followed.

Prof. Bakhshi stresses a point	Prof. A.K.Bakhshi floors the audience

Prof Bakhshi’s talk was followed by Dr. Suresh Garg’s interactive session on the anomalies arising in the “Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds”. He also pondered upon the Bonding Theories, clarifying some of the misconceptions, commonly encountered by teachers.

After lunch, the audience was exposed to an illuminating talk on “Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry” by Dr. K.K.Arora, an area often eluded even by the teachers. He ruminated that Organic Chemistry was often looked upon as a cramming area, but differed in his approach emphasizing that if mechanisms of reactions are clearly understood there would be no confusion in predicting the products of any Organic Reaction. The mechanism approach to understanding the reactions helps greatly in systematizing the study of Organic Compounds, despite their large number.

Dr. K.K.Arora explains a point	Dr H.O gupta demonstrates

On 18th September, Dr. H.O.Gupta gave an exclusive demonstration on ' Techniques and Aids in Teaching Chemistry". He impressed the audience by performing several experiments for Classes IX to XII at a micro level thus minimizing the time, cost and quantum of chemicals needed for any experiment. His entire laboratory with miniature models of apparatus and reagent equipment could be fitted into a one cubic ft box. Besides being cost effective, the concept was environment friendly. He also demonstrated templates which could prove useful in explaining the 3D shapes of all types of crystal lattices. He also displayed a miniature Ball and Stick model kit which could be used to construct the structure of any complex molecule. The colors of the atoms in this kit were in strict compliance with the Universal Color Code followed for the elements. Many participants were keen to acquire these aids in order to supplement teaching in their schools.

Dr. H. O. Gupta with his mini laboratory	Delegates on stage with Dr. H. O. Gupta

In the latter half of the morning, it was Dr. G.S.Sodhi's turn to dwell upon certain “Misconceptions in the teaching of d-block elements”. His talk was interspersed by innumerable examples, delving deep into the anomalous behavior of compounds belonging to this block of elements. His session proved to be highly interactive, wherein a large number of participants were able to clarify doubts arising while teaching their students.

Dr. G S. Sodhi clears a doubt	Dr. Anju Srivastava stressing a point

During the afternoon, Dr.Anju Srivastava spoke at length on the "Stability of Intermediates & Electronic Effects". Her talk was well received by the participant teachers who got a keener insight into solutions of problems faced by them while teaching Organic Chemistry.

Dr. Bani Roy being welcomed by Mr.Shachindra Sharma	Rapt attention while Dr. Anjni Koul adresses the teachers

Later during the day, the stage was held by Dr. Bani Roy who suggested several ways on how to generate and hold the interest of this subject, generally considered difficult by the students. She tried her best to simplify “The teaching of the p block elements” while trying to connect to the students by providing interesting analogies.

Late afternoon, two parallel sessions were held in the Maths Lab exclusively for the teachers teaching only Classes IX & X. The gathering was first addressed by Dr. Anjni Koul who dwelt on the “Relevance of NCF (National Curriculum Forum) 2005 in context with the curriculum of Science in Classes IX & X”. This was followed by Dr.Vandna Soni's general talk on Science Education in classes IX and X, followed by techniques in framing Multiple Choice Questions, a component recently introduced in the Class X Syllabus.

Dr. Vandna Soni stresses a point	Dr. Vimal Rarh holds the stage

The session came to a close with Dr. Vimal Rarh's emphatic and informative delivery on the "Chemistry of Aromatic Compounds" dealing with the complex problems of predicting the products of an organic reaction by simple application of well known concepts.

Vice Principal, Ms. Shobha Mehta delivers the Vote of Thanks

Mr.Prem Dhawan adresses the gathering

Positive responses regarding content and organization of the workshop were largely received from the participants, which proved very motivating for the organizers.The workshop ended with a Vote of Thanks by our Vice Principal, Ms. Shobha Mehta who lauded the teamwork of the department under the aegis of Mr. Prem Dhawan, the Head of the Department, who appreciated the good work done by all members of Chemistry Department .  He then called upon Dr. J.K.Gupta, ex-Vice Principal of DPSRKPuram to award the certificates to all the participants.

Dr. J.K.Gupta distributes the Certificates to participants

Group photograph of participants with the Vice Principal, Mrs. Shobha Mehta

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards - Anatole France