“Communication ‘Noise’ at Sender and Receiver’s End: Students Approach Towards Schemes to Popularize Science in Delhi Schools”

Abstract

Science Education, Science Communication and Science Schemes for Science Popularization cannot work in silos. They are interconnected like a spider web or cobwebs and demands for a better coordination to procure the desired results. An all-out effort is being made by the science propagators to develop the scientific mindset in the society through the senior school students.  The study intends to explore the impact of several such schemes which have been launched to achieve this desired goal. A sincere effort has been made to identify those missing links and recommend for suggestive changes. In the process, data from around 1000 students in Delhi were collected to know their views on such schemes. Relevant statistical tools were used to analyze it and was accordingly interpreted. Prima facie, the study reveals the fact that science education is limited to rot learning for the purpose of passing exams and not to internalize theoretical knowledge for practical usage. School students are the right captive audience to bring about that desired change in the mindset of the people. Although, a large sum of money has been invested on the institutions and programmes to promote science, there is still considerable scope to position and popularise science at the school level. The New Education Policy (NEP) and the new Science and Technology Innovation Policy (STIP) gives an impetus for an effective intervention. Imparting Science Education to the students with an effective Students Behaviour Change Science Communication, linked to a Scientific Utility, will help in developing the desired Scientific Temper in the society.