Hon’ble Minister of Education launches the ‘Every Child a Scientist’ programme for MSSRF in Pudukottai, TamilNadu

Launching MSSRF’s flagship ‘Every Child is a Scientist’ (ECAS) programme and interacting with school children, the Hon’ble Minister of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poiyamozhi, iterated the importance of hands-on, practical educational pedagogy that help children link scientific concepts with everyday life. He was delivering his keynote address at the MSSRF Village Knowledge Centre in Pudukottai on December 11, and called upon school students in the district to cease the opportunity as the ECAS classroom sessions use STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to enhancing curiosity among young minds.

Recognising MSSRF as a knowledge partner, he acknowledged that students have the capacity to make scientific discoveries early on in their lives and that the Government of Tamil Nadu is supportive of collaborations with the Foundation. He encouraged MSSRF to expand the ECAS programme to other districts in Tamil Nadu.

Dr Soumya Saminathan, Chairperson MSSRF, recalled that ECAS was the late Prof M S Swaminathan’s dream project. “My father loved children and believed that they have potential to make great discoveries but almost always lack opportunity.” The ECAS programme thus makes it possible for school children to explore and realise their dreams. She thanked the Government of Tamil Nadu for support extended and expressed more such collaborations going forward with the help of modern information technology structures.

Pudukottai Assembly Member Dr V Muthuraja encouraged students to improve their knowledge on scientific concepts. Dr V R Prabhavathy, Director – Biotechnology, MSSRF, provided highlights of the ECAS in her speech, while Dr G N Hariharan, Executive Director – MSSRF, made a presentation about the Foundation.