Project Demonstrations - The Sindhupalchowk Diary

Project Demonstrations

I went to see the projects in Grade 8 and 9. Apart from few, almost everyone had worked hard on whatever they made. Some made balloon powered cars and boats, some made a collection of leaves, and some made booklets. Most of the students in Grade 8 found National flag as the easy way to finish off the project. But I wasn’t disappointed as they had made something on their own and were proud of it.

Gokul and Sajan were trying hard to make the electric car run.

Kamal was proudly showing off his car made of black clay as it was the most amazing project.
“Kamal is a low-achieving student who had never been encouraged for anything. He failed in Grade 8 last year.”

It was Grade 6 in the fourth period. They were a lot excited than grade 8 and 9. They were showing of their works to each other. I could see a sparkle is each of their eyes. Bimali, Tulasa, Sarina, Asmita had come with something they cooked themselves. There were omlette, rice, bitten rice, curry on the table. Asmita Khadka had made a pencil box. Few others made a collection of different things, plants, pictures, flowers etc. Rajkumar Tamang (B) had made a bamboo bow and arrow.
“Rajkumar Tamang is a low achieving student who never did well in exams. He has been improving continuously in my last few exams.”

I had my sixth period in Grade 7. Grade 7 is Sukujit’s class. I had been desperately waiting to enter the class. I saw that sixth period was off as the teacher was absent. So, I entered. The environment was different today. There was more energy in the class. I could feel in the way they greeted me. I knew of Sukujit’s and Min’s projects already. I was excited to see others as well. Kiran, Ganga, Jamuna, Smita and Rubina made some beautiful houses. Mahesh had come making a bamboo compass that could actually be used. How cool is that? Krishna made an electromagnet, Sitaram used a dynamo to reverse it into a generator. Ayusha made a beautiful pencil box, Puja made a flower by putting pieces together made with flour. It was not big compared to others, but it was big for her and she was extremely proud of it.

Roshan had made a doko (a typical Nepali handicraft used to carry loads). It was undoubtedly beautiful and I asked him how to make it. I also informed him that he will be doing a training class on ‘How to make a doko’ soon.
“Roshan is a low-achieving student who stays low in class. He doesn’t talk much. He is a slow learner.”

Rabin had also used a dynamo to reverse it into a generator. Aakash had made a dhiki (a typical Nepali simple machine used to process rice into flour).
“Mahesh, Rabin and Aakash are high achieving students, who are not only good at studies but are also thinkers of the class. They are always interested in learning.”

I had already seen Sukujit’s and Min’s projects. I asked Sukujit to share his experience on how he made the excavator. I could see him excited for the first time in class to stand up. The idea of a project work was worth it.

The following period was off as well and I had no periods too. So, they asked me to stay. There was a huge crowd on the class door to see the projects. Seniors from Grade 8 and 9 had also come and were surprised at what their juniors had done.

“सर, हामीले यस्तो खतरा खतरा कुरा बनाएको त सबले हेर्न आइहाल्छ नि! (sir, we have made such awesome projects. People are bound to come and see)”, said Ganga.

“कक्षा ७को सब साइनटिस्ट भएपछी नेपाललाई कसले जित्छ र सर अब (sir, who can win Nepal when we all the students of Grade 7 become scientists)”, said Jamuna.

I asked everyone to bring their projects along with them into the office. There was Dhungana Sir and other teachers. I couldn’t stop myself from showing the projects to Dhungana Sir. Everyone was surprised, mostly at the excavator. Dhungana Sir was positive of the fact that we need a Science lab soon. Damn, I was happy.

Few students from Grade 6 invited me into their class to have chit-chats.
(I was a temporary class teacher of Grade 6 Nepali for about a month until a new teacher came to take over. I was missing them as I had no other periods in their class. Hopefully, so were they.)

I was talking to them about their studies, how they are doing etc. A student from Grade 10 came at the door and asked to see a car that I had brought along with me.
(I don’t teach in Grade 10 by now. I will be teaching next year.)

She was excited and surprised to see the car. She said it must be tough to make one. I gave her some ideas.

” सर, हामीलाई पनि सिकाउनु न यस्तो बनाउन \ हाम्रो सरले त कहिले यस्तो सिकाउनु भएन त| (Sir, please teach us as well how to make such things. Our teacher never taught us anything like this).”

The student who I haven’t taught asks me to teach her something. Yes you are right, I was flattered. I was happy. The project works were making into students’ heads and making them interested. That was the whole point of it, to let them know Science isn’t just about books and definitions.