United Schools Organisation of India (USO), New Delhi, in collaboration with CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, organised a one-day “Teachers Workshop on Science Communication” on 22 September 2023 at the Einstein Meeting Room, USO House, New Delhi. The workshop was organised for science teachers aimed at motivating them in the art of effective science communication by equipping them with practical tools and techniques and providing a framework for scientific writing.
Welcoming the gathering, Ms Nina Jain, representing USO, highlighted the pivotal role CSIR-NIScPR plays in effectively communicating scientific information. She also emphasised that science communication serves as a vital bridge connecting the realm of science with the broader community and added that each individual holds a crucial responsibility in nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators, with the initial and fundamental step being effective science communication. Ms Jain emphasised the significant role that teachers need to play in cultivating students' ability to articulate and convey scientific ideas in a manner that both engages and enlightens others, thereby inspiring and empowering the future generation of thinkers and innovators.
In his opening remarks, Mr CB Singh, the Head of the Jigyasa Division, CSIR-NIScPR, extended a warm welcome to all and shed light on the prominent role of CSIR in the realm of industrial research, underscoring the fact that when we think of industrial research, the name CSIR naturally springs to mind. Discussing science communication, Mr Singh emphasised the significant role played by CSIR-NIScPR journals and popular science magazines — 'Science Reporter, Vigyan Pragati, and Science Ki Duniya, as reliable sources of scientific information.
Mr Hasan Jawaid Khan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Editor, Science Reporter, presented a talk on “Communicating Science to Empower Citizens” wherein he informed about the fault lines and challenges in science communication today. He stressed the role of teachers — as they are directly in touch with students — in disseminating the correct information to the students. He further added that students — who are going to be future citizens — form the backbone of every economy, and all educators can positively influence them and guide them to accurate information sources.
Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Editor, Vigyan Pragati, talked about “?????? ?? ????????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????”. Mentioning the popular science magazines (Vigyan Pragati, Science Reporter & Science-Ki-Duniya) of CSIR-NIScPR, Dr Gore informed about the various segments in the magazines and the vast area they covered. He also discussed the importance of science writing in Hindi and regional languages.
The next lecture was on “Conceptualisation & Writing Science Books” by Ms Sonali Nagar, Senior Scientist and Associate Editor, Science Reporter. Ms Nagar provided a comprehensive explanation of the intricate process of writing a book. Ms Nagar stressed that having a creative idea is just the starting point. Equally vital is the phase of meticulous planning, where the structure, content, and approach are carefully considered. She stressed that what sets successful authors apart is their unwavering determination to produce a book of immense value and exceptional quality, ensuring that it makes a lasting impact on readers and society as a whole.
The final talk was delivered on “Research Communications” by Mr RS Jayasomu, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, and Editor, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Dr Jayasomu discussed about research publications and the various components involved in writing a research paper, emphasising the significance of each step in crafting a high-quality publication. Dr Jayasomu also offered valuable insights into the importance of data integrity and ethical considerations when dealing with research publications. He cautioned the audience that once their research data is ready, publishing is not merely a routine step. Instead, he stressed that it's essential to approach publishing with a discerning eye.
In the end, the queries and questions raised by teachers were addressed. Expressing her gratitude on behalf of the attendees, Ms Jolly Regi, Moderator from USO, extended heartfelt thanks to the speakers, recognising their invaluable contributions. Ms Aakansha from USO proposed the vote of thanks.
