Summer Workshop – a fortnight of varied activities
The summer workshop in Jaishankar Memorial Centre (JMC) was planned for two weeks from 3rd to 14th June. It was two weeks of activities that were educative, thought-provoking and fun for the students across Class 1 to Class 10! Students were divided into two batches with the primary class students participating in the workshop as Batch 1, in the pre-noon session, while the middle and high school students formed Batch 2 in the afternoon. Naturally, the subjects taken up in the workshop were according to the age group of the batches.
A range of activities and games to tease their intellect, their coordination and their artistic faculties were laid out for the two batches.
Day 1 for Batch 1 started with the game ‘Simon says’ with an Indian twist. And then the students were asked to respond through a drawing to the question – “What do you like at JMC?” What ensued was fun and the most imaginative creations. The session concluded with further drawing activity that encouraged the children to express their understanding and perspectives on the importance of handwashing.
5th June being World Environment Day – the focus of the session centred on plants. It was an exploration of the vital role plants play in our lives and an introduction to the different parts that constitute a plant. The children absorbed all the information with their curiosity unfolding as the session delved into how plants benefit us in numerous ways, from producing oxygen, providing food, and offering shelter, to the undeniable beauty they add to our world. The highlight of the session was undoubtedly the concluding activity when the children were asked to draw a diagram of a plant. This hands-on task helped reinforce what they had learned about the parts of the plant. Their drawings, filled with vibrant colours and imaginative interpretations, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of learning and discovery that was one of the objectives of every session and the entire workshop.
In subsequent days, the children were taken through hands-on arts and crafts; lessons in geography through planting flags on a world map to identify special physical characteristics of different regions and areas of the world; education on anaemia through a movie that illustrated the effects of anaemia and emphasised the importance of early detection and management; “good touch, bad touch” through interactive engagement when students participated actively, and an explanatory audio-visual; fingerprint painting (messy and so much fun!); climate change explained through an engaging movie and interactive games.
Two activities got the children participating physically – Aikido and singing along to the strumming of a guitar. The former is a martial art that taught them the importance of not only mastering physical techniques but also developing mental discipline, respect, and a sense of responsibility. These core principles are essential for understanding the depth of martial arts and its impact beyond mere self-defence. The children enjoyed a lively sing-along session that included popular children’s songs such as “Lakdi Ki Kaathi” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” This was the perfect round-off to a week of energetic mental and physical engagement with different subjects.
JMC salutes the enthusiasm of the volunteers who led these sessions – Anshu, Bazilah, Bharat, Drishti, Natasha, Neel, Ravi, Saahil, Sucharita, Surkhi and Vaibhavi, who educated, enthused and energized the children to participate vigorously and release their energy through various initiatives and creativity.
The middle and high school students, aged 10-16 years, had as much fun even with subjects such as Mathematics and Biology. Life skills building was an important aspect of the workshop sessions.
The introduction to handwashing was through a film that educated and entertained, and the session transitioned into a more hands-on activity. The students were tasked with creating an art project, which was not merely an exercise in creativity but also a reinforcement of the hygiene practices they had just learned. The project activity seemed more than just an assignment; it became a medium for spontaneous teamwork and leadership.
For World Environment Day, they were taught the importance of planting trees and conserving the environment, through reducing our burden on it. The session culminated in team poster-making activity and scripting a play on the theme of World Environment Day.
The Career Counselling Session was a significant event for the young minds of Classes 9-10. This session was meticulously planned to assist these students in making one of the most crucial decisions of their academic lives: selecting their streams in Class 11, which is a stepping stone toward their future educational and professional endeavours. Thanks to an interactive session which was more than just information dissemination, the students were enabled to look beyond traditional choices and consider their decisions more holistically. It provided a safe space for students to express their fears, aspirations, and uncertainties about the future.
As youth on the brink of adulthood, these students were also put through some thought-provoking sessions. The first one centred on life skills, designed to prepare students for various aspects of daily life beyond the academic realm. The session was structured engagingly and interactively, featuring the screening of three films. Each of these films was carefully selected to cover different facets of life skills, to provoke thought, and to encourage students to reflect on their personal development and societal roles.
Following the film screenings, the session transitioned into a more interactive segment where students were encouraged to actively participate by sharing their thoughts, their perspectives and insights on the films and the life skills depicted. This exercise was not only aimed at reinforcing the lessons learned but also at enhancing the student’s critical thinking, public speaking, and analytical skills.
In one of the workshop sessions, the students of Batch 2 engaged in an enjoyable and interactive Mathematics session that included a variety of intriguing activities. The session featured: “Maths Puzzles’, Fibonacci Sequence and its occurrence in nature and art, Golden Ratio and the famous Magic Square (the Rubik’s cube) and Sudoku. They were delighted to discover that Math could be such fun!
The Biology session was more sobering but very interesting, where they were taught the concept of homeostasis – the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes, crucial for optimal functioning and survival. It regulates vital factors such as temperature, fluid balance, blood sugar levels, pH, osmotic concentration, and blood pressure. The session provided valuable insights into these physiological processes, offering students a comprehensive understanding of maintaining health through balanced nutrition and lifestyle choices.
The students of this batch were also enabled to indulge in arts and crafts, painting and martial arts, all of which they enjoyed immensely.
The conception, planning and executing the entire workshop was carried out through the tireless efforts of the JMC coordinators, teachers and Neel, our indefatigable intern.
Summer camp finale report
The 2024 Summer Camp organised by JMC culminated with an entertaining finale on June 15th, bringing together approximately 175 attendees, including the parents of students, friends and supporters of JMC and the students, who took pride of place.
The event was graced by the chief guest, an officer of the Indian Police Service, Smt. Meghna Yadav (IPS), JMC Vice-President Vidya Raghavan and other guests and friends of JMC addressed the gathering.
The students showcased their talents and shared their learning from the fortnight long workshop through songs, dances and skits. Alumni of the Remedial Education programme expressed their pride and joy in returning to be a part of the programme.
The energy and enthusiasm of the young students raised the spirit of the event and they impressed everyone present, as well, with their discipline.
There was chatter and laughter as the afternoon concluded with snacks and sweets, and a feeling of a job well done by one and all. Back to the academic curriculum now!
