Systems approach to develop Scientific Temper in Young Minds

To commemorate and honour the invention of Raman Effect on 28^th February 1928 by the famous Indian physicist, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, has been celebrated as National Science Day in India. The Objective of celebrating National Science Day is to create enthusiasm among the people and to popularise Science & Technology to Strengthen Scientific temper among the masses. 

The celebration of Science day provides an opportunity for young minds to nurture the scientific temper as future scientists. This also provides a real platform for the young students to inculcate and imbibe the finer details like hypothesizing, methodologies etc., for making an excellent career and profession in science and applied science arena. Every year it had been celebrated with a specific theme, in 2012, it was “Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Safety” and in the year 2013 was “Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security”. 

The theme of the year 2014 is “Fostering Scientific Temper”.  Scientific temper describes an attitude which involves the application of logic. Discussion, argument and analysis are vital parts of scientific temper. Elements of fairness, equality and democracy are built into it. The scientific temper traits are Healthy skepticism, Universalism, Freedom from prejudice or bias, Objectivity, Open mindedness and humility, Willingness to suspend judgment without sufficient evidence, Rationality, Perseverance - positive approach to failure.

India being one of the largest democracy with over billions of people and 50% of its population being youth, eagerly waiting to excel in their chosen career. The scientific temper plays a very important role in the progressive development of citizens in particular and the nation in general. According to the Constitution of India, developing scientific temper is one of the fundamental duties of Indian citizens. Figure 1 provides system approach to develop scientific temper in young minds. We need to refine and strengthen the three components such as Knowledge, Experience and Creativity in young minds. 

Fig. 1. Systems approach to develop Scientific Temper in Young Minds

The knowledge is acquired by following routine education system. However we need to impart the knowledge:

• Firstly, functional knowledge like teaching basic concepts of science and application of these concepts in real sense, i.e., ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. 
• Secondly, emphasis must be on behavioural knowledge, like inculcating professional ethics, moral values, protecting the environment and public property and strive towards excellence in all spheres of life. 
• In addition to these, the need of the hour is to ignite the curiosity in young minds, i.e., to ask questions like Whys & Hows to themselves and also to the educators. 

To assess the knowledge gained by young minds during the academic sessions, we need to shift from conventional methods such as standardised examinations or credit system, to examine the qualitative changes in students’ thinking process, problem solving approaches. To inculcate and imbibe in these young minds a scientific approach, research culture and to make it happen is to provide them with high level of practical exposure and interaction with the stalwarts and eminent personalities. This will provide the much needed experience. The knowledge and experience of the young minds has to be tested frequently at various platforms to ascertain the desired transformational changes that lead to the creativity.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- THE MISSION FOR YOUNG INDIANS*

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- THE MISSION FOR YOUNG INDIANS*

The concept of sustainable development goes beyond the natural environment and also includes social and economic dimensions. Agenda 21, adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 defined Sustainable Development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The definition itself highlights the importance of the role of young people towards development. Young people are, in many ways, the common denominator between the past and the future. Agenda 21 clearly conveys the message that the long-term success of sustainable development is dependent on the involvement of young people. 

In the present context India is facing more delicate and complex situations. On one hand the youth power is rising, the nation is marching ahead in the economic, scientific and technological fields to become number one in the world, the global geo-political arena is most conducive for India to take the lead. On the other hand, the unprecedented corruption has threatened the nation in achieving this goal. The need of the hour is passion and compassion in believing and practicing the philosophy of “Come Together, Think Together, Work Together”. The Young Indians are more confident, vibrant and active. They possess qualities, virtues and personal traits which are comparable to the best in the world.
The young Indians are drawing the attention of the world in various fields through their inherent qualities. It has proved that we are in the process of becoming the force to be reckoned with, this can be accelerated provided we rise to the occasion and nurture the inherent qualities of a younger generation to the fullest extent. The young Indians to understand the importance of “sustainability and ethical values” through the concept of “People (co-workers), Planet (environment), Profit (income)” all inter linked so that each part affects the other. For sustainability on a long term basis, there is an urgent need to provide impetus in maintaining this delicate balance by understanding the relationships between population, the quantity and availability of resources and the quality of the environment. We are notably concerned about impacts:

• Population on resources
• Population on the environment   

The mission is to develop sustainable and effective human resource, infrastructure to ensure that the whole population can have their share of increased prosperity and access to education, health care and employment. Young Indians to create solutions for emerging economies to develop human resource, infrastructure that is on a par with that of the developed nations but at a cost that is affordable. In addition to this, it is imperative for the young Indians to work to fill the large deficit in implementation capability by providing opportunities for local talent and enterprise to develop. The young Indians must mainly focus on capacity building and implementation capability of India. 

Every citizen, especially young generation to inculcate and imbibe in their heart and soul the mantra of Swami Vivekanada “ARISE, AWAKE AND NOT STOP TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED.” The impetus to the dynamic movement in this direction by young Indians, takes forward this great nation towards the goal INDIA VISION 2020 of our beloved eminent scientist and former president Honourable Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. To reach this goal, it is imperative for the young Indians to take the oath with respect to the following points and adhere to them meticulously:

1. Self Discipline: I sincerely try to maintain highly disciplined life and self discipline in all the activities I undertake.
2. Natural resources: I practice and help others to use natural resources optimally and also to conserve and protect the Nature.
3. Obligation towards society: I practice and also inculcate in others to follow in maintaining family bondage, harmony and good values to have a healthy and prosperous society. (i.e., promoting harmony, cooperation and co-existence in today’s society).
4. Awareness about Protected water supply, Hygiene and Sanitation: I make the public aware about the importance of protected water supply, hygiene and good sanitation at local, regional and national level.
5. Educating Young Generation: I sincerely inculcate and imbibe in myself and all my young friends about adhering to the rules and regulations of the institute of study, local self government, state and the nation, especially traffic and caring of children, women and old aged persons.
6. Awareness about Diseases: Learn and enrich myself about the diseases related to Life style, Eating disorder, and Pollution; create awareness amongst the young population about it.
7. Professional Ethics and Values: Inculcate amongst the young minds about the ethics and values of Indian culture and heritage in developing healthy, harmonious, prosperous society
 

Participation is a key element of any change or development process. Inclusion gives people an important sense of self and a connection to the world they live in. People with a stake on an issue have a greater interest in being a part of the conversations that most affect their holdings in that entity – be it a corporation, community, and, indeed, a planet. The Earth Charter, a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century, expresses the aspirations of millions of people across the world. In principle 13, the Earth Charter challenges us to ‘strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making and access to justice’. 

References: 

1. Jean-Paul De Lucca (2004), young people and sustainable development 

2. Peter Blaze Corcoran and Philip M. Osano, edited (2009). Young people, education, and sustainable development Exploring principles, perspectives, and praxis. Wageningen Academic Publishers. The Netherlands. 

3. Jagdish Godihal, Blog: Education, Environment and Society; http://godjag999.blogspot.in/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Presented by Jagdish Godihal in RYLA,2014 of Rotary Club Aurangabad@ MIT Auranagabad; 04/02/2014.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------