Crystallography matters ... more!

IYCr2104 crystallography awareness and Outreach programme at KURNOOL Andhra Pradesh

Coordinators: Nandikotkur Padmaja (Indian Academy of Sciences) and M. S. Rajesh (Indian Institute of Science)

With support and motivation from Professor Gautam R. Desiraju, President of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr)

The objectives of the Crystallography Outreach programme at Kurnool were to:

• propagate the importance of crystallography in everyday life to school children and to increase awareness of the science of crystallography;
• teach fundamentals of crystals and crystallography; 
• illustrate the universality of Science and the importance of Science and its application to humanity, referring to crystallography’s contributions to medical science and to other areas of humanity;
• brief about careers opportunities in Science;
• convey information about UNESCO and its work to provide high-quality education to children as a fundamental human right.    

The event was a great success. About 350 students were interactive in their approach

N. Padmaja's lecture on crystallography was seriously heard by the Principal and schoolchildren. Her fluency in English and Telugu science and technical terminologies  was well received.

M. S. Rajesh gave an introductory talk about “what is and why IYCr2014”, why inside of the crystals cannot be “seen” with the microscope, meaning of IYCr2014 logo, Dorothy and her inventions, information on penicillin etc.    

An IYCr2014 and crystallography quiz question paper was a huge hit with the children, many of them achieving excellent scores. Telugu translated quiz question paper was prepared for Telugu medium schools children. Once paper was in the children’s hand. There facial expression message  and discussion among students indicated that for the first time there local language academics skills were recognized beyond their schools and examinations papers.  

The Thank you, Dorothy poster prepared to advertise the International Year was quite new to students and there were questions about the life and career of Dorothy Hodgkin. Students who answered the quiz questions received gifts. All the children immensely liked a presentation about crystallization in chocolates, as well as the opportunity to sample real chocolates and candy! The children also appreciated the introductory English Crystallography matters booklet.

We are  thankful to Sri. Lakshmana Murthy for coordinating with school and helping us to successfully conduct this programme.   

Neighboring  engineering colleges, junior colleges and other schools spreading from vicinity to far off places have asked for similar crystallography awareness programmes.

This outreach programe has been well covered by various newspapers.

Reported by M. S. Rajesh -SSCU- IISc Bangalore