Today’s wastage is tomorrow’s shortage
- Power Point Presentation
- Awareness Campaign
- Become Water Warriors
- Solar Panel Visit
- Poster and Collage Making
- Street Play and Flash Mob
- Face to Face
- SPSMUN
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
‘Sharing knowledge along with motivation is the best way to educate the students’
Activity: Power Point Presentation
Classes: VI- VIII
The ISA activity started with the Power Point Presentation to create awareness on the water-energy nexus, the environmental challenges and the need to become environmentally conscious citizens. Contemporaneous with the ongoing CBSE SEWA project, the presentation aimed to equip the students with appropriate skills to address and take necessary action on the global environmental issue of conservation of water and electricity in pursuit of a better quality of life in the new millennium. They were shown the collective data analysis and survey report on the deteriorating condition of the blue planet and the urgent need for them to take a wakeup call and be the Champions and leaders and by taking initiative to save water and electricity. Enthusiastic students were recruited as Water Warriors and Light Patrol in the brigade. The presentation also took them on a journey from a resplendent past to a gory future staring ahead in the wake of water scarcity. The aim was not just to create a visual image of the consequences but also to spread awareness and make each child take responsibility and be a stake holder. The students were urged on the need for conservation which is the cleanest and least expensive way to increase water and electricity system capacity. They were also briefed about water and electricity saving techniques that could easily be implemented in our daily lives. They were handed out water and electricity conservation checklists and also updated about the various activities to be conducted during the month.
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
‘The future we steer, together we have nothing to fear. We have a single mission- to protect the planet and hand it to the next generation”.
Activity: Awareness Campaign
Classes: VI- VIII
‘Grandfather saw it in Rivers; Father saw it in Wells; We saw it in Taps; Our children see it in Bottles. Where will our grandchildren see it? In Capsules????? If we still neglect, we may see it in the tears we shed’.
Become Water Warriors
Sony Pictures Network and Lead India campaigned to engage the students meaningfully to stop water wastage and encourage water conservation. The resource person initiated the massive awareness and sensitization progamme with the sole aim to inculcate a strong sense of conservation and sensitivity towards environmental concerns at an early age. The workshop familiarized the children with day to day water usage and wastage and ascertained the fact that although water is a renewable resource yet the difference between consumption and generation is way too high to bridge the gap. The students realized that the issue which was earlier limited to books has now started touching our lives. The workshop enabled their creativity to conserve water regularly through interactive and entertaining means wherein the students wrote slogans to save water for future generations, made water banks to store water and pledged to use left over water of the water bottles. Students were given the responsibility of spreading awareness and keeping a check in the school for running taps or water wastage. These water warriors promised to be committed to the cause.
SOLAR PANEL VISIT
‘Solar Power- the infinite power that is free to use all day everyday’.
Classes-VI-VIII
The students of the Light Patrol brigade were taken to the school roof top to understand the working of the solar panel that has been installed by NDPL. Mr. Jai the resource person explained that the flat expansive roof was ideal for the solar panel installation because in addition to providing plenty of open unshaded space for the panel to work to their highest potential it also helps to absorb maximum solar energy. The panel, he added was mounted on a bracket angled between 30°-60° to ensure the optimum efficiency of the solar panels. He informed the students that the solar panels contained Photovoltaic cells that collected light particles i.e. photons from the sun and then these were used to produce electricity. When photons from a light hit the upper surface of the solar panel, it excites some of the electrons which break them loose from the atoms they were attached to. Due to excitation, electrons jump into the upper part of the solar panel. This movement of the electrons creates a potential difference in the solar panel and direct current starts to flow in it. The inverter installed then converts the DC current produced by the solar panels into usable AC power that is generated through the grid. The resource person also informed the students that such installations help to reduce the electricity cost and at the same time tap the abundant renewable energy resource. He urged the students to be the harbingers of change and motivate people in the transition from using the conventional to going solar. The Light Patrol brigade then went to all the classes to explain the benefits of solar energy and urged students to use solar energy products at home. The aim of the activity was to expose the students to green energy from an early age.
POSTER AND COLLAGE MAKING
‘Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today’.
Classes-VI-VIII
The students were involved in Poster and Collage Making Activity to raise awareness on the judicious usage of water and electricity and to manage its conservation. The posters made by the students exquisitely expressed their creativity through wonderful sketches, quotations and paintings. The posters also conveyed thought provoking and meaningful slogans to create awareness on the issue of global crisis. The aim of the activity was not only to engage children’s senses in open-ended play but at the same time support the development of cognitive, social-emotional and multisensory skills. The collage making activity boosted the divergent thinking of the students as they made the best use of waste materials to express their thoughts. They experimented with varying materials, tried new things and came up with amazing creations. The vibrant imagination and creativity displayed by the students not only explained the issues but also provided knowledge so that people could make their own individual decisions. The posters and collage were displayed in neighborhood areas and societies to involve everyone in the wide spread acknowledgement and understanding of the water electricity nexus. The aim of the campaign was to engage customers and members of the society in concerted efforts to protect the environment, preserve natural resources, and encourage different sectors to adopt a conscious and responsible lifestyle to consolidate environmental sustainability and promote sustainable development. The students encouraged the members of the society to adopt practices to protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprint.
STREET PLAY AND FLASH MOB
"Each morning we are born again, what we do today is what matters the most."
Classes-VI-VIII
A Special Assembly was called for the entire school to develop a feeling of unity among all the students and share responsibility for the cause of conservation and judicious use of water and electricity. It also served as a powerful motivator for the entire school to instill discipline and also to set a joyful and focused tone for the theme ‘Save Water- Save Future’. The skit hit the right chord with the audience. Though hilarious and light-hearted it conveyed a serious message focusing on the scarcity of water and the subsequent consequences faced by the next generation. Students were also enlightened on the havoc that could follow if adequate measures are not taken up in conserving water resources. Taking a new route to inculcate a sense of responsibility the campaign was stepped up by the flash mob. The assembly was well planned to contribute greatly to the community culture of the school and pass on positive values. The students took a pledge to ‘save water and never waste it’. They also promised to be vigilant and maintain a monthly record of the water checklist provided by the school. The purpose of the assembly was to bring each child together to identify, share and foster greater solidarity over a global cause.
The students responsibility of spreading awareness was not restricted to just their peers but extended to the general public as well. They staged their theatrical performance on a public platform in the neighbourhood areas to raise awareness in all levels of the society about importance of saving water to cope with its scarcity and ensure sustainability. The aim was to change people’s attitude and behaviour to improve water use efficiency. The flash mob also made its entry to attract maximum attention for the cause. Survey forms and checklists were handed out to parents which they filled enthusiastically. Posters were displayed in nearby societies. The aim of the activity was to spread awareness after self realization and enable the children develop language and communication skills and build confidence. The activity also enabled the children to nurture lifelong friendship and develop creativity.
FACE TO FACE
‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’.
Class VIII
The students interacted with Narayanganj Ideal School, Bangladesh through Skype. The session was organized to enable the students to develop appropriate skills, concepts, knowledge and understanding of the Water- Electricity nexus and the problems faced by people across the globe. The students discussed the activities and projects proposed, completed and exchanged them for further case study. The partner country appreciated the initiatives taken by the students and management and proposed to show the skit ‘Save Water-Save Future’ to their students. They were highly impressed by the check lists sent and showed enthusiasm in implementing them in their school too. The introduction to MUN Activity to be held the next day was explained. The Partner school requested the MUN activity to be sent to them. They also discussed their commitment to the cause, exchanged their ideas and gave a detailed account of the activities conducted by them. Their door to door campaign and survey called for admiration. The students cross questioned each other to get a better understanding of the work of the authorities and government to meet the challenge faced by people. Both schools pledged to be committed for the cause and promised to be in touch for future collaborations. The activity enabled them to increase their knowledge, interact with cross culture and polish their language skills.
SPSMUN
‘Emerging leaders need mentors to guide them, but they also need a network of peers to reassure them that they are not on this path alone’.
Classes VI-VIII
The first Model United Nations Conference, SPSMUN was hosted to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals number 6, which aims to: “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals” and number 7, which aims to achieve ‘affordable reliable, sustainable and clean energy for all’. The MUN provided an opportunity for students to replicate and stimulate the work of the United Nations wherein the student –youth leaders could raise the issue of national and global concern of saving water and electricity on large scale platforms. The conference room was set up to house the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Secretary-General, Chair, Reporter and Conference participants of 15 countries from across the globe. The delegates were welcomed by the school band and the Conference officially started with the introduction of the agenda, followed by the lamp lighting ceremony. The students’ demeanor changed remarkably the moment they opened debate shedding their laid back attitudes in a professional and serious manner. Every delegate gave comprehensive detailing of their country’s position on the topic and at the same time offering possible solutions. They had researched their allotted countries in depth to analyse and understand their foreign policies keeping in mind the factors that would influence the behaviour of the country at an international level. The MUN saw heated debates as the committees picked up momentum, crisis-situations were thrown open and a few resolutions were also reached. Bangladesh and Afghanistan were adjudged as the best delegates. It was an excellent opportunity for the inspired minds to boost their self-confidence, leadership qualities, strengthen collaborative efforts and develop their oratory skills. In the simulated ambience of the international work culture, the students were able to explore the varied belief systems which added to their holistic profile. The academic stimulation also aimed to educate participants about the current scenario concerning international relations, diplomacy and the UN agenda on the grave Hydro and Power situation faced by the countries worldwide voicing their concern as well as brainstorming on solutions. The activity was instituted to educate students about public speaking, debate, diplomacy, problem-solving, persuasive writing, and teamwork