Innovation Faire at the Science Centre, Evening at the American Center

On Friday I returned to the National Science Centre, the organization I am affiliated with to do my educational action project. I have to give a shout out to my faculty advisor, Prof Anurag Kumar who welcomed me so warmly and is really fun to talk to. Today I got to see him interacting with some student projects and I was definitely in awe. Lucking into seeing a Science Faire and an Innovation Faire back to back right upon arriving in Delhi kind of left me feeling the same way I do at the California State or even the Los Angeles County Science Fair: kind of dumb. I am reminded that I don’t have a very strong science background or very deep content knowledge. Still, I was able to pass the CSET and the NBC test….  What was thrilling about these fairs were that the students were there in the booth ready and eager to talk about their projects. Meeting the scientists and makers and discussing their creative and problem solving process is one of the most fun activities I can imagine, even if the content sometimes goes right over my head.

I got there a little late for the kick-off lecture because I had an important meeting to set up more school contacts at USIEF, but managed to catch the end demonstration on hydroelectric energy (not dams!) and the wonderful way the passionate students surrounded the innovative scientist afterwards.

I was treated like a VIP the whole time I was there, thanks to everyone there for making me feel like part of your family including sharing your meals with me everyday. I am liking Indian food, to my surprise. Professor Kumar introduced me to the Director, D. Rama Sarma, who listened to my project pitch and asked me to prepare a presentation. Then I was fortunate to have the Education Director, Bharat B. Srivastava show me more projects and set up some school visits.  Each of these projects has an interesting story to them, but it’s getting late and I have to finish this post. Maybe later I will add some more background info to describe these projects

Next I was shown the members-only innovation lab with state of the art lab equipment and an overview of the hands-on projects in what was similar to a maker-space. I would love to return when the place is buzzing with activity.

These are the specific activities the Innovation Lab leads for school groups, in the order of grade level appropriateness.

Finally here is a look out the window from the top floor lab, and a view as I exited the complex.

I had to go because I was invited to a concert at the American Center and got back just in time to meet up with some fellow Fulbrighters because I really had no idea where to go or what to do. Have to thank Adam Grotsky for his infectious enthusiasm and generous spirit of adventure for setting this event up. It was a cello concert by a Portland-based musician currently on a Fulbright grant in India, Avery Waite, and it certainly defied my expectations of what a cello could be. It was great fun to be inspired by a virtuosic musician and be in the company of some outstanding people. I only had a few moments to learn about them, but hopefully will see them again at the Fulbright conference in Kolkata in March.  Coralynn Davis is doing some fascinating research into native people’s  storytelling and collaborating with Carlos Gomez who is a badass Columbian film maker. Also with us was super friendly and generous literature professor Alan Johnson who knew so much about India since he actually grew up here.

I managed to sneak a picture during the concert and there was wine and snacks served afterwards, but Adam didn’t get to eat and while it was late, we were all game for the adventure!

He took us to this groovy upstairs Italian place in Khan market called Latitude, I had a mint lime soda (sublime) and really good spaghetti. My companions had early wake-ups and I had a presentation to get ready for but hanging out with Adam (and not thinking about events taking place at that moment in DC) was worth it. Apologies to Coralynn and Alan for being a bit loud around midnight that night as I’d agreed to do a FaceTime chat with my students in the classroom back home and the wifi only worked in the building…