December 24, 2024: In a pathbreaking scientific event, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) successfully engaged more than 830 school students from across India in a hands-on DNA isolation activity. The event, which brought together 33 CSIR laboratories through a virtual platform, was designed to spark scientific curiosity and boost students’ scientific aptitude.
The scientific event was coordinated by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) in Delhi, the activity aimed to connect young minds with cutting-edge science.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -IGIB, and Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Head of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-HRDG, with senior scientists, educators, and students in attendance. Students from class 9 participated in isolating DNA from their own saliva using DNA isolation kits, under the expert guidance of Dr. Beena Pillai, Chief Scientist, and Dr. Arya Sidharthan, Science Communicator at CSIR-IGIB. This hands-on exercise gave the students an opportunity to understand the principles behind cell structure and the chemical nature of DNA.
Following the activity, a short questionnaire was administered to evaluate the students’ scientific understanding and assess their aptitude for STEM fields. The findings of this pilot study, followed by a larger-scale study, are expected to guide both students in making informed STEM career choices and policymakers in designing curricula aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
CSIR-Jigyasa platform Connects 1 Million School Students with Scientists
The event, conducted under the the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Jigyasa platform, is part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s flagship outreach program that has already connected over 1 million school students with scientists since 2017. As part of the initiative, students from Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1, Air Force Station, Hindan, Ghaziabad, visited the CSIR-IGIB laboratories and interacted with scientists, providing them with a firsthand look at scientific research.
This inspiring event marks another significant step in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research mission to foster young talent and inspire the next generation of scientists in India.
