Opportunities to contribute

Motivation: For many students, the folklore around science is as much a motivating factor as science itself. But many times the context of the quote is required for it to be remembered, cherished, and recalled. Here we aim to capture 365 quotes. Post-COVID-19 due to the online classes, most students are going to use desktops or laptops, their interface may carry a banner (e.g: Google classroom Banners) and a diary is always handy to note down schedules.

Workplan: The SAP student can (1) create a collection of carefully chosen 365 science quotes with a good mix of famous quotes (e.g: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”- Einstein), familiar scientists (e.g: “I love fools' experiments. I am always making them.” -Darwin) and change makers (e.g: "When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor." -Elon Musk). (2) provide graphical backgrounds which capture the scientist / the times/ the work context (3) convert that to a day wise changing desktop downloadable from a link. 

If funds permit, we may convert it to a custom dairy by adding dates and use as a prize or visitor’s gift. The look and feel can be of a coffee table book or a personal diary.

Motivation: The life journey of scientists will not just inspire science  students but the general public as well that will get to see them in a new light. The inspiration for this podcast is from Life of PI, which used to feature a talk show-like format inside IGIB and made scientists come on stage and talk about their aspirations, disappointments, glorious moments and hardships during their way to becoming a PI at IGIB. This podcast will make these stories to the world outside IGIB and will be featured on IGIB outreach website and YouTube channel.

Workplan: The SAP student will have to formulate questions for an interview, set up a meeting with respective PIs, record and then edit it into a podcast episode. Ideally, a single individual should complete 5 interviews to complete SAP.

Motivation: Infographics convey concise and essential information graphically and in an aesthetically pleasing manner going beyond the conventional poster. These can be used by scientists and students to create awareness on societal issues related to work done/planned in their completed/on-going/new projects (like on air pollution and respiratory syndromes, rare diseases). A visual gallery of projects can be virtually put up and soon can be converted into a graphic novel showcasing IGIB’s scientific accolades through these beautiful depictions of scientific puzzle pieces being put together by a generation of research scholars working hard to make progress in our understanding of science. This content should be translated into at least one Indian language.

 Workplan: The SAP student will have to create a minimum of 5 infographics to complete the program. 

Motivation: The way to better understand a concept/technique is by way of teaching it. Oftentimes PhDs are engaged in mentoring trainees and juniors, teaching them how to run a gel or giving them quick tips as to how to best design their probes for doing an in situ. This will be an opportunity to expand those lab training sessions into blogs/vlogs on any technique that you work on (example) or some molecular biology concept that you had to clear to your juniors when they first joined the lab. These blog articles /vlog episodes should be for public outreach and not merely personal reflections. This content should be translated into at least one Indian language.

Workplan: For completion of SAP, a minimum of 10 blog articles / 5 vlog episodes will have to be written/created. 

Motivation: English not being our native language creates ambiguity in our understanding of speeches/lectures by prominent scientists. This will be an attempt to bridge that language gap for students who might not be well versed in English and would wish to watch talks with subtitles, listen to the Nobel Laureates’ lectures or read their published essays. The SAP student will get a chance to translate the essay/lecture in Hindi. If you choose to work with another Indian language please identify a teacher or scientist well versed in that language who can certify for the quality of translation.

Workplan: The enrolled SAP student can choose any one essay of his/her preference and will have to do a complete translation of it to finish the programme. 

Motivation: There is a lot of information that goes into the science textbooks of NCERT. Often, it is difficult for students to follow the diagrams and cartoons. Through, this project we aim to provide kids with visual aids that complement the content given in their biology chapters. A mix of images that come from real data, videos and gifs, 3D models, and realistic illustrations enrich the experience of studying biology. 

Workplan: The project requires SAP students to curate or create content covering biology chapters of IX-XII standard from the NCERT science textbook. To complete the project, all the biology chapters from one textbook need to be covered. 

Check out the already curated content from X standard science textbook here.

Motivation: Scientists are often misunderstood, and thought to be scholarly and rigorous while passionate and whacky are often closer to reality. Funny and thought-provoking anecdotes written in the form of a micro tale can inspire a budding scientist.

Through this project, we would look for original short stories based on science/scientists that can ignite young minds with a passion for science. 

Workplan: This will require the SAP student to compose original stories. 10 short stories will have to be contributed to complete the project. 

Motivation: Games and quizzes are a fun way to learn and to engage any audience probing various abilities like analytical thinking, creativity and memory (think KBC!). Needless to say that while researching for the quiz you will also increase your own knowledge on the subject. Any science/your research interest related topic can be chosen to create a quiz (like the periodic table quiz). This can be later converted into a game if the funds permit. 

Alternatively, a game-virtual/board- can be created in different formats like treasure hunt, crossword puzzle, 20 questions, dungeons and dragons with a storyline/increasing difficulty levels. 

Workplan: A quiz on a single theme will have to be created with a minimum of 50 questions suitable for high school and above.