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.