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Teaching Science: Methodology (Physical and Biological) · Chapter 9

Non-formal Science Education: Clubs, Fairs, Field Trips, Museums and NGOs

What to remember

  • Learning outside the timetable is just as important as the classroom. Clubs, fairs, trips and museums give hands-on experience and build scientific attitude.
  • Each club has a clear purpose: a science club for inquiry, an eco club for environment, a blue club for water and ocean concerns, and a Red Ribbon club for HIV/AIDS awareness and health.
  • A field trip or fair needs planning, a follow-up and evaluation. Without these it becomes only an outing.

Formal, non-formal and informal education

TypeFeaturesExamples
FormalPlanned, school based, fixed syllabus, timetable and certificateClassroom teaching
Non-formalPlanned, flexible, outside the regular school system or alongside it, no fixed rulesScience clubs, fairs, community programmes, open schools
InformalUnplanned, lifelong, from family, media and surroundingsLearning from home, friends, television

Non-formal science education adds to what the textbook gives. It is voluntary, interest-based and activity-based. It reaches school drop-outs, adults and the public too.

Science club

A science club is a group of children, guided by a teacher, who meet regularly for science activities beyond the textbook.

Objectives:

  • To develop interest in science and scientific attitude.
  • To give opportunity for creative work, projects and experiments.
  • To develop leadership, co-operation and responsibility.
  • To use leisure time well and clear superstition.

Organisation:

  • The school head gives support and the teacher acts as patron or guide; children form a small committee with a president, secretary and members.
  • Members are chosen by interest, and the programme is planned for the year.
  • Meetings are held regularly, and records are kept.
  • Funds come from the school, small contributions or sponsors.

Activities: making models and improvised apparatus, experiments, quizzes, talks, film shows, wall magazine, observing the sky, celebrating National Science Day (28 February, linked to the discovery of the Raman effect), growing a garden, visiting places, collecting specimens, and preparing for science fairs.

Eco club, blue club and Red Ribbon club

ClubMain purposeTypical activities
Eco clubCare of the environment; in India supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through the National Green Corps (NGC) schemeTree planting, waste segregation, water saving, cleaning drives, observing Environment Day
Blue clubAwareness on water bodies, water saving and ocean or marine care (name and programme can differ by state or institution)Rain-water harvesting, clean-up of ponds, awareness rallies
Red Ribbon clubAwareness of HIV/AIDS and health, set up through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in educational institutions; the red ribbon is the world symbol of HIV/AIDS awarenessAwareness talks, voluntary blood donation, rallies, removal of stigma

Note for readers: all three clubs follow the same working pattern as a science club: a teacher guide, student members, a yearly plan, regular meetings and simple records.

Value of such clubs: they connect science to society, build civic sense, health habits and environmental responsibility, and give students a role in community change.

Science fairs and exhibitions

A science fair (or exhibition) is a public display of children's models, projects and experiments, with explanation by the children. Fairs are held at school, mandal, district, state and national levels.

Aims:

  • Give children a platform to show creative work.
  • Encourage research and problem solving.
  • Spread scientific ideas among parents and the community.

Steps in organising a fair:

  • 1. Form a committee and fix the theme, date and place.
  • 2. Invite entries and guide students in choosing a project.
  • 3. Prepare the space, stalls and safety arrangements.
  • 4. Fix judges and the criteria (originality, scientific idea, workmanship, clarity of presentation, use of low-cost material).
  • 5. Hold the fair, with explanation by children.
  • 6. Give prizes and certificates, collect feedback and keep a record.

Well-known national programmes: the Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition (for school children, organised by NCERT), the National Children's Science Congress (by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication, NCSTC), and INSPIRE-MANAK (by the Department of Science and Technology, to find original ideas of school children).

Field trips (excursions)

A field trip is a planned visit to a place outside the school to give first-hand experience. Examples are a farm, forest, river, factory, power station, weather office, hospital or museum.

Stages:

StageWork to be done
Planning (before)Fix the aim, place, date, route, cost, permissions, safety, and group tasks; visit the place beforehand; brief children
Conduct (during)Observe, take notes and sketches, collect samples (without harm), ask questions, follow the rules
Follow-up (after)Discuss, write a report, display notes and collections, evaluate learning

Advantages: gives direct experience, links theory with life, builds observation, teamwork and interest.

Limitations: needs time, money and safety planning; disciplined supervision is needed; weather and distance may be problems.

In Dale's Cone, field trips (study trips) lie in the middle band of observed experiences, above direct, contrived and dramatised experiences and demonstrations.

Science museums and science centres

A science museum or centre collects and displays science and technology objects and working exhibits. Visiting one is a form of non-formal learning, and many have workshops, planetariums and demonstrations.

Some well-known institutions: the National Science Centre, Delhi; Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru; Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata; Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai. Many are run under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). Andhra Pradesh has regional science centres, such as those at Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. A planetarium shows the night sky on a dome, and a mobile science exhibition travels to schools.

School museum: a small museum in the school with collections of specimens, models, rocks and charts made by children.

NGOs and other agencies

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) help in science popularisation and in environmental and health education. They conduct workshops, camps, exhibitions, publish low-cost material and train teachers.

Some examples:

  • Vigyan Prasar: an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology that promotes science communication.
  • National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC): supports science popularisation, such as the Children's Science Congress.
  • Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti and Jana Vignana Vedika: people's science movements that organise science programmes and fight superstition; Jana Vignana Vedika is active in Telugu-speaking states.
  • Centre for Environment Education (CEE): environment education material and programmes.
  • WWF-India and other nature groups: nature clubs and conservation education.
  • NACO works with youth through the Red Ribbon clubs, and the Red Cross has youth and junior wings that teach first aid and service.

How a teacher uses them: invite experts, join programmes, get free or cheap material, and send students to camps.

Planning a year of non-formal activity

A good school plan spreads activities across the year so that all children take part. For example, a science club may run a month of experiments, then prepare for a fair; an eco club may mark Environment Day with a plantation drive; and a Red Ribbon club may hold an awareness talk around World AIDS Day. Teachers should give every child a role, keep the activities safe, record participation in the co-scholastic area, and avoid making clubs only for the best students.

Role of the teacher and benefits

The teacher guides the choice of topic, checks safety, links the activity with the curriculum and gives credit. The benefits for children include teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity and the habit of applying science to real problems. Non-formal activities also help to find talented children early and to connect school with parents and community. Evaluation of these activities is done by observation, participation records, quality of products and the children's own reports.

Exam traps

  • 1. Formal vs non-formal vs informal: planned and fixed vs planned and flexible vs unplanned.
  • 2. National Science Day is 28 February; Environment Day is 5 June.
  • 3. Eco club vs science club: the first focuses on environment, the second on general inquiry.
  • 4. Red ribbon stands for HIV/AIDS awareness; not for first aid (the Red Cross).
  • 5. Fair vs field trip: fair is a display; field trip is a visit outside school.
  • 6. Vigyan Prasar is a body of the Department of Science and Technology; it is not a school club.
  • 7. JNNSE is by NCERT; Children's Science Congress is by NCSTC.
  • 8. Follow-up is part of the field trip, not an optional extra.

One-liners

  • 1. Non-formal education is flexible, planned and outside the regular timetable.
  • 2. A science club works under the guidance of a teacher.
  • 3. National Science Day is observed on 28 February.
  • 4. The red ribbon is the world symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness.
  • 5. Eco clubs in schools are supported under the National Green Corps scheme.
  • 6. A science fair displays children's models and projects.
  • 7. A field trip has planning, conduct and follow-up stages.
  • 8. A planetarium shows the night sky on a dome.
  • 9. Vigyan Prasar promotes science communication.
  • 10. Jana Vignana Vedika is a people's science movement.
  • 11. The Children's Science Congress is conducted by NCSTC.
  • 12. A school museum can be built from specimens, models and charts made by children.

Practice questions

  1. Learning that is planned but flexible and takes place outside the regular school system is called

    1. formal education
    2. incidental education
    3. non-formal education
    4. informal education
    Answer

    C. non-formal education

    Non-formal education is planned yet flexible.

  2. Learning from family, friends and television without planning is called

    1. formal education
    2. examination-based education
    3. informal education
    4. non-formal education
    Answer

    C. informal education

    Informal education is unplanned and lifelong.

  3. National Science Day is celebrated on

    1. 15 August
    2. 28 February
    3. 5 June
    4. 14 November
    Answer

    B. 28 February

    It marks the announcement of the Raman effect.

  4. Which symbol stands for HIV/AIDS awareness?

    1. The white flag
    2. The green leaf
    3. The blue drop
    4. The red ribbon
    Answer

    D. The red ribbon

    The red ribbon is the world symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness.

  5. Which club mainly works for the care and protection of the environment?

    1. Eco club
    2. Chess club
    3. Red Ribbon club
    4. Literary club
    Answer

    A. Eco club

    Eco clubs take up plantation, waste and water care.

  6. An exhibition where children show their models and projects to the public is a

    1. museum
    2. field trip
    3. planetarium show
    4. science fair
    Answer

    D. science fair

    Fairs display children's work with explanation.

  7. A planned visit to a place outside school to gain first-hand experience is a

    1. club meeting
    2. field trip
    3. science fair
    4. wall magazine
    Answer

    B. field trip

    Field trips give direct observation.

  8. A planetarium is used to

    1. show the night sky on a dome
    2. grow plants
    3. store chemicals
    4. measure rain
    Answer

    A. show the night sky on a dome

    A planetarium projects stars and planets.

  9. Which of the following is the usual role of a teacher in a science club?

    1. Guide or patron
    2. Sole member
    3. Only treasurer
    4. No role
    Answer

    A. Guide or patron

    The club is run by children with teacher guidance.

  10. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition is organised by

    1. ISRO
    2. ICAR
    3. NCERT
    4. UGC
    Answer

    C. NCERT

    NCERT organises it for school children.

  11. The National Children's Science Congress is conducted by

    1. CBSE
    2. WWF
    3. NACO
    4. NCSTC
    Answer

    D. NCSTC

    NCSTC is the National Council for Science and Technology Communication.

  12. Which agency of the Department of Science and Technology promotes science communication in India?

    1. NACO
    2. CEE
    3. Vigyan Prasar
    4. ICMR
    Answer

    C. Vigyan Prasar

    Vigyan Prasar is an autonomous body for science popularisation.

  13. Red Ribbon clubs in educational institutions are supported by

    1. the Indian Meteorological Department
    2. the National AIDS Control Organisation
    3. the National Green Corps
    4. the Archaeological Survey
    Answer

    B. the National AIDS Control Organisation

    NACO set up Red Ribbon clubs.

  14. Eco clubs in schools are supported in India under the

    1. National Talent Search
    2. National Green Corps
    3. National Cadet Corps
    4. National Service Scheme
    Answer

    B. National Green Corps

    NGC is the Ministry of Environment scheme for eco clubs.

  15. Which is the correct sequence of stages in a field trip?

    1. Planning, conduct, follow-up
    2. Conduct, planning, follow-up
    3. Follow-up, planning, conduct
    4. Conduct, follow-up, planning
    Answer

    A. Planning, conduct, follow-up

    Preparation comes first, then the visit, then discussion and report.

  16. Which of the following is a science museum in India?

    1. Victoria Memorial
    2. Gandhi Smriti
    3. Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru
    4. Salar Jung Museum
    Answer

    C. Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru

    Visvesvaraya Museum in Bengaluru is a science and technology museum.

  17. Jana Vignana Vedika is best described as

    1. a bank
    2. a government ministry
    3. a school board
    4. a people's science movement
    Answer

    D. a people's science movement

    It promotes scientific temper and fights superstition.

  18. Which of the following is an advantage of a field trip?

    1. It replaces the laboratory
    2. It always needs no preparation
    3. It removes the need for notes
    4. It gives direct experience and links theory with life
    Answer

    D. It gives direct experience and links theory with life

    Direct observation is the main benefit.

  19. Which of the following is a limitation of a field trip?

    1. It cannot involve observation
    2. It needs time, money and safety planning
    3. It reduces interest
    4. It prevents group work
    Answer

    B. It needs time, money and safety planning

    Planning and cost are practical limits.

  20. A teacher wants children to learn about water pollution in the village pond. The most suitable non-formal activity is

    1. a written test only
    2. a field trip to the pond with an eco club
    3. a lecture in class
    4. a long reading of the textbook
    Answer

    B. a field trip to the pond with an eco club

    Direct observation and action link learning to life.

  21. Which step is NOT part of organising a science fair?

    1. Inviting entries
    2. Arranging stalls and safety
    3. Skipping the criteria for judging
    4. Fixing the theme and date
    Answer

    C. Skipping the criteria for judging

    Clear criteria are necessary for fair judging.

  22. A school forms a Red Ribbon club. Which activity suits it best?

    1. Planting trees only
    2. Chess tournament
    3. Coin collection
    4. Awareness talks on health and voluntary blood donation
    Answer

    D. Awareness talks on health and voluntary blood donation

    The club promotes health awareness and removes stigma.

  23. Which of the following best explains why clubs are voluntary and interest-based?

    1. Children learn more when they choose to take part
    2. Marks are given for them
    3. They replace the exams
    4. Teachers do not want to teach
    Answer

    A. Children learn more when they choose to take part

    Interest improves involvement and learning.

  24. Why should a teacher visit the field-trip site before taking the class?

    1. To avoid telling the principal
    2. To skip follow-up
    3. To check safety, plan tasks and know what to observe
    4. To reduce the number of children
    Answer

    C. To check safety, plan tasks and know what to observe

    Pre-visit checking makes the trip safe and useful.

  25. A teacher records children's reports and displays them after a field trip. This is part of the

    1. follow-up stage
    2. conduct stage
    3. pre-test
    4. planning stage
    Answer

    A. follow-up stage

    Follow-up includes discussion, reports and display.

  26. In Dale's cone a field trip belongs to the

    1. verbal symbols at the top
    2. visual symbols near the top
    3. audio recordings only
    4. concrete experiences near the base
    Answer

    D. concrete experiences near the base

    Field trips give direct, concrete experience.

  27. A science club decides to hold a quiz, a wall magazine and a model-making contest. These are

    1. formal examinations
    2. only home tasks
    3. co-curricular science activities
    4. only textbook lessons
    Answer

    C. co-curricular science activities

    Clubs offer varied activities beyond the textbook.

  28. Which of these is an example of an NGO working on environmental education?

    1. Reserve Bank of India
    2. Centre for Environment Education
    3. Election Commission
    4. Supreme Court
    Answer

    B. Centre for Environment Education

    CEE publishes material and conducts programmes.

  29. Which of the following is an informal source of science learning?

    1. Watching a nature programme at home
    2. A school timetable
    3. A practical examination
    4. A unit test
    Answer

    A. Watching a nature programme at home

    Informal learning is unplanned and outside school.

  30. Which of the following is the main aim of a science club?

    1. To prepare only for annual exams
    2. To replace the science teacher
    3. To avoid outdoor activity
    4. To develop interest, scientific attitude and creativity
    Answer

    D. To develop interest, scientific attitude and creativity

    Clubs promote interest and attitude beyond the classroom.

  31. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Non-formal education is flexible and planned. 2. Informal education is always planned by the school.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Informal education is unplanned.

  32. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. National Science Day is on 28 February. 2. The red ribbon is the symbol of the Red Cross.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The red ribbon stands for HIV/AIDS awareness.

  33. Which of the following statements is/are correct about a field trip? 1. It should have a follow-up discussion. 2. It needs no planning if the place is near.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Planning is always needed.

  34. Which of the following statements is/are correct about clubs? 1. A teacher guides a science club. 2. Children can form a committee with a president and secretary.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are typical features of a club.

  35. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition is held by NCERT. 2. The National Children's Science Congress is held by NACO.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The Congress is conducted by NCSTC.

  36. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A planetarium displays the night sky on a dome. 2. A herbarium displays the night sky.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    A herbarium holds pressed plants.

  37. Which of the following statements is/are correct about science fairs? 1. Judging criteria include originality and clarity of explanation. 2. Only costly models should be accepted.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Low-cost original ideas are encouraged.

  38. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. NGOs only work in cities. 2. NGOs can help schools with workshops and low-cost material.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    NGOs run programmes in many areas, including villages.

  39. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Non-formal activities can be recorded in the co-scholastic area. 2. Clubs should be open only to the best students.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Clubs should include all interested children.

  40. Match the club with its focus. P. Science club Q. Eco club R. Red Ribbon club

    1. P-environment, Q-scientific inquiry, R-HIV/AIDS awareness
    2. P-scientific inquiry, Q-HIV/AIDS awareness, R-environment
    3. P-HIV/AIDS awareness, Q-environment, R-scientific inquiry
    4. P-scientific inquiry, Q-environment, R-HIV/AIDS awareness
    Answer

    D. P-scientific inquiry, Q-environment, R-HIV/AIDS awareness

    Each club has its own purpose.

  41. Match the programme with the body. P. JNNSE Q. Children's Science Congress R. INSPIRE-MANAK

    1. P-Department of Science and Technology, Q-NCERT, R-NCSTC
    2. P-NCERT, Q-NCSTC, R-Department of Science and Technology
    3. P-NCSTC, Q-NCERT, R-Department of Science and Technology
    4. P-NCERT, Q-Department of Science and Technology, R-NCSTC
    Answer

    B. P-NCERT, Q-NCSTC, R-Department of Science and Technology

    These are the organisers of the programmes.

  42. Match the stage of a field trip with its work. P. Planning Q. Conduct R. Follow-up

    1. P-observe and note, Q-fix aim and permissions, R-discuss and report
    2. P-fix aim and permissions, Q-discuss and report, R-observe and note
    3. P-fix aim and permissions, Q-observe and note, R-discuss and report
    4. P-discuss and report, Q-observe and note, R-fix aim and permissions
    Answer

    C. P-fix aim and permissions, Q-observe and note, R-discuss and report

    Each stage has its own tasks.

  43. Which of the following is a purpose of a school museum?

    1. To sell products
    2. To hold examinations
    3. To display specimens, models and charts made by children
    4. To replace the library
    Answer

    C. To display specimens, models and charts made by children

    A school museum is a learning collection.

  44. Which of the following is the best use of a mobile science exhibition?

    1. Selling books
    2. Taking science exhibits to schools that are far from a science centre
    3. Replacing classroom teaching
    4. Holding unit tests
    Answer

    B. Taking science exhibits to schools that are far from a science centre

    Mobile exhibitions reach distant schools.

  45. Which of these is the best reason to involve parents and community in science fairs?

    1. It avoids planning
    2. It reduces student work
    3. It removes the need for judges
    4. It spreads scientific ideas beyond the school
    Answer

    D. It spreads scientific ideas beyond the school

    Fairs connect science with society.

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