EIP 2018 REFLECTIONS: KAK LINGES
"Seeing those students being beguiled in the enchantment of physics, was something to take pride in."
Initially when I got to know that we have to take up
the social engagement course as it is compulsory for all first-year undergrads,
it really kind of ruffled my feathers. We already had a bunch of projects in
residential college, and now this!!! Then one fine day, there was some lecture
on this course and then we had to form a team. My team, I rarely knew those
peoples, although they’re from physics course as well. Then we distributed job
scope and tasks.
I was in the protocol bureau together with Ash, Ju and Harith.
At first, I faced difficulties managing time for this project, because I saw it
as a project and I didn’t really prioritize it. But then, I realized. This is
no project, this is a subject, where it determines my cgpa. So, I made time,
and stopped giving excuses and attended the meetings and dry runs. On the way,
I made real good friends. Protocol bureau was tough as this was my first time
being a part of it. The module got revised again and again and again, even the
day before our event. Yet, we had it all under control. And in the blink of an
eye it was 13th April.
Friday, 13th April around 3.30 we, a group
of 16 people made our journey to SMTKL to conduct the Empowering Interest in
Physics (EiP) program. I was excited though. Because since young I have been an
introvert person, so this was a stepping stone for me to come out of my comfort
zone. Once we reached SMTKL, we started preparing and arranging the hall for
the programs later at night. The clock struck 9, and the students started to
come in. We had 70 students. The students were divided into groups of 8 and
they had two facilitators guiding each group. Me and Ash we were together
dealing with group “Pascal”. Those kids were really fun to be around. They were
fast learners. That night we had ice breaking where we got to know our
participants better. Around 11, we dismissed the students. We cleaned and
arranged the hall for next day before leaving to UM.
The next day, we had Quantum Race, Physics
Showtime and Glory of the Physicists. Me
and Ash were assigned to the station projectile motion, it went great. The
concept of projectile motion awed the students as in their high school they’re
only thought linear motion. Then after lunch we had physics showtime. I was
with Harith and Auzan explaining on vibrations and waves. Seeing those students
face enlightens in amusement while Harith was explaining some stuffs on modern
physics and a little about Elon musk and he’s inventions, that made my day.
I’ve been keen in physics since I was 14, and that made my family and friends
look at me as though I’m a weirdo. It doesn’t matter because I’m pursuing what
I love to do. So carving interest in physics among the students and seeing them
amazed was really worth the hard work. At night, we had glory of physicist,
where the students had to present a little they know about the physicist. That
was a wrap up for second day of EiP. The next day, morning we had the
continuation of physics showtime. And then after lunch, it was the closing
ceremony. Long story cut short everything went well despite being sick and
completely drained.
Post
EiP: although in the beginning I wanted to get done with this as soon as
possible, but on the final day it felt strange. I wanted more of it, so do the
students. It was amazing memories I had with my team mates and those students.
Moreover, as per our objective of conducting EiP, we succeed in engraving a
deep passion and interest towards physics in the mind of those kids. Seeing
those students being beguiled in the enchantment of physics, was something to
take pride in. And those were amazing three days of my life.
