Science in Traditional Stories

Science in Traditional Stories
              S.D. Public School 

Science is awesome, but science needs to do a better job of communicating that awesomeness to non-scientists. We’re sitting on the frontiers of human knowledge, and yet we cannot get others as excited about this issue that we’re very, very passionate about. This was what came to our minds when we began with our ISA project from British council titled “Science in Traditional Stories”.

Why tell stories in a science class?

·        A story can hook students’ attention.

A story is a natural lure for students. Almost instinctively, they want to know how the story ends and they will remember that story more than almost anything else that you say that day.

·         A story acts as a mental organizer.

Since human brains are built to remember stories, any information presented in a story form is easier to remember than a random list of facts.

·        A story helps students change gears.

When you change from science lecture to a story, its gives students a chance to rest the logical side of their brains and engage the creative, imaginative side of their brains. This is important for the problem-solving aspects of science. Quoting Albert Einstein “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Stories help learners visualise the concept.

·        Storytelling is a gentle and effective way to pass on lessons and values.

"Once upon a time…" is far more powerful that "You really should…" When someone gives you advice, especially unsolicited advice, what's your reaction?

The project began with the launch of the ISA activity on  5^th JULY 2014 headed by the benign presence of  Mr Nainwal and Mr Goel along with our honourable Principal Ma’am Ms Anita Sharma. As a part of the holidays’ homework, the students were asked to find out a story told by their grand parents and whether it involves any logic or science behind. They were astonished to see that the common stories/ rhymes that they heard or read in their early childhood as a lullaby to sleep or as a means of entertainment- each involved a logic. To begin with “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall” portays earth’s gravity or “thirsty crow” shows the relative weights of the pebbles and water. Add to it, these stories serve as a great meand to inculcate in them the moral values that are otherwise heading on a path of deterioration.