CHARUSAT to train school children in Innovation

Joined hands with VIC to train students in out-of-the-box thinking and innovation

Changa based Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), known for its innovative initiatives in higher education has now joined hands with, Vadodara Innovation Council(VIC) to train students in out-of-the-box thinking and innovation.

The project named Tod-Fod-Jod (TFJ) conceived by VIC in the year 2017 is a supplementary learning approach to current education where students get to de-construct (Tod) everyday products that they see and/or use. The students figure out how these products are designed and how they work (Fod), students connect multi-disciplinary concepts they learn in textbooks to real-life applications. They also re-construct (Jod) these products, re-assemble them.

The entire activity involves great deal of hands-on problem solving to re-purpose them for creative and innovative ideas. They draw inspiration from ideas and inspirations of others.

Young children in their early age are more creative. Showing them the world of innovation through the window of TFJ is necessary in the present day to build our nation to innovative land. Four building blocks of innovative sprite and creativity is Yadshakti, Samajshakti, Vicharshakti and Kalpanashakti. Even after having all these abilities in its best possible way, there is a false wide spread belief that somehow either you are born with creativity as a genetic inheritance with your birth or you do not have any ability for creativity.

Latest results of neuroscience and psychology research has shown that inherent building blocks of the brain require training & exercises for full development of your four abilities for creativity analogous to development of muscles by exercises. Latest scientific research considers creativity as a teachable skill similar to skills for reading, writing, arithmetic which were introduced in the past.

In this background, under the flagship of Charusat Rural Education Development Program (CREDP) , university took the onus for the young leaners in the district of Kheda and Anand. The TFJ initiative launched during August, 2019 at D.Z Patel English Medium School, Anand. At present 3 Schools of Kheda and Anand district are undertaking the CHARUSAT TFJ program. More than 150 students of standard 7,8 and 9 are trained with 20hrs sessions under the CHARUSAT-VIC TFJ initiative.

Talking about the session organisations Dr. A D Patel Principal CSPIT added that more than15 Staff members from different departments of CHARUSAT have enthusiastically volunteered to conduct the sessions.

The program sessions provide children with routine household gadgets such as RO water Purifier, electric fan, Mouse and touch screen, electric iron, microscope, stethoscope and BP monitor machine, microphone speaker, emergency light, water pump and remore control car. The students are explained about the scientific working principles of the gadget in a group of 20 in the first place.

Further they were divided in to 5 groups and allowed to open each and every part of the gadget and explore the working of it. Last process is reassembling the gadget in its original condition. Student will be undertaking the entire process in guidance of TFJ facilitator and assistant facilitator. Facilitators will be strictly taking care of the safety measures of all activities.

Sharing the experience of conducting the TFJ program co-ordinaror Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran added that- this 20 hrs of TFJ session, a student going through is really opening their eyes in to a new world of innovative spirit and confidence. The University is committed to the social amelioration and looks forward to more and more school children to take the benefit of the programs, added Registrar Dr. Devang Joshi.