Finland Embassy Sustainability workshops

4 students of Grade 7 Agastya Iyer, Kashvi Dewan, Yashvi Midha and Krishiv Khatri attended a workshop conducted by Embassy of Finland on 15th October 2019. The workshop focused on the 17 SDGs and how the young students of the schools can participate in bringing about a sustainable change. The 23 students from 6 schools across NCR participating in the workshop were chosen on the basis on the papers they wrote based on the SDGs. The experts shared Finland’s success in achieving multiple SDGs and how they have managed to have a sustained growth without harming the environment. The students also learnt about Circular Economy Roadmap and also discussed the necessity of having Circular Economy classes in the school. The experts also discussed the need for Citizens involvement is achieving success in the implementation of SDGs. The students worked on ways of measuring their Carbon footprints and how to reduce the same. All the participants ended the session after presenting the measures they can take in the school to bring down the plastic waste. They later planted a tree in the embassy campus marking their visit and as a reminder of their pledge towards the environment and the earth.

Visit to Vidyagyan - Bulandshahr

A set of 13 kids of grade 8 accompanied by 4 teachers successfully concluded their visit to the Vidyagyan campus.

The following report throws light on the eventful visit to the Vidyagyan campus:

1. The campus is a total delight on the eyes, a warm welcome and goodbye by the students and teachers overwhelmed us with joy. 

2. The teachers in collaboration with the parents organised a wholesome experience where the children explored skills like crafting and article writing. 

3. The interaction between the students and their buddies gave them insights on interpersonal relationships, introspection and empathy.

4. The visit to the organic farm was enlightening and interesting. 

5. The cultural evening and the sports interaction was fun, energetic and engaging. 

We the members of Shiv Nadar Foundation are sure that the students will always cherish the experience of spending time with their buddies and learning new things

Swiss Innovation Camp

The Swiss Innovation Camp was a 7 day camp where 4 students accompanied by a teacher travelled to Geneva, Switzerland from 13th - 19th October 2019. The camp aimed to immerse the children in the scientific innovation brewing in Geneva, which is the innovation hub of Switzerland.  The Camp included workshops at CERN as well as other leading Swiss research centres. The aim of the program was to build an understanding of the Swiss Innovation Ecosystem and what makes it successful. The workshops gave the students the opportunity to experience different scientific innovation centres, interact with leading scientists involved in cutting edge research, and get a glimpse of what a career in science looks like. It also aimed to inspire children towards design thinking and research.

The main attraction of the workshop was the visit to CERN, the largest experiment in the world that aims to answer the big questions of life - ‘Where did we come from?’ , ‘What are we made of?’ and ‘Where are we going?’. Students visited CERN and learnt about its history, mission and sociology by interacting with a Physicist. They also discussed experimental tools, innovation and impact. Students visited one of the 4 particle detectors at the Large Hadron Collider - CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) in France. They went 100 meters below ground level to see the particle detector at arm’s length. The students participated in a team activity at the Globe of Innovation at CERN where they learnt many facts about CERN and particle physics in the process of completing a team challenge.

The students experienced a guided tour to the United Nations Headquarters, where they learnt about the history and functioning of the headquarters. They even witnessed a live United Nations session from the gallery. The students were made familiar with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which are a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by 193 Member States at the UN General Assembly Summit in September 2015. They then participated in a UN SDG challenge where they had to use technology to come with a design to contribute to one or more of the UN SDGs in teams.

The students participated in a competitive Robotics and Coding workshop where they learnt how to program a robot to perform the stipulated task, in teams of two.

The students visited the first IB school ever - Ecolint, and witnessed the marvel of the progressive educational system. They participated in a STEAM Project at their STEAM lab, where they created an ECG machine with the materials available. They also learnt to create designs using a Wiacom.

The students visited the Biopark - the Biotechnology Innovation centre in Geneva. There, they were introduced to advances in the field of Biotechnology and the use of technology to support healthcare. For example, the students saw a small implantable device that can be be used to monitor the occurrence and frequency of Epilepsy in patients, helping in proper management of the disease. The students were introduced to the Blue Brain Project which is in the process of mapping the brain functioning with all its complexities, which will allow a better understanding of the functioning of the brain.

Biomotion workshop attempted to explain the laws of physics by using live demonstrations. Learning was enjoyable and interactive for the students.

Apart from the many workshops, the students participated in a Treasure Hunt where the students went out in teams to solve the clues, exploring the prominent places through Geneva in the process.

A days trip to Chamonix, France was the highlight of the trip. The group went for a hike with a guide in a small French Village amidst breathtaking landscapes. They also went atop a mountain via a cable car and explored the French Alps.

The trip saw cultural immersion in food and Swiss mannerisms. Our children got to learn the Swiss values of punctuality, cleanliness, and courtesy. New friendships with students of other schools in the group were formed. Students got a chance to be responsible and independent. It was a truly enriching experience for the students.