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IIT Kanpur attracts Young
Minds from across the city of Kanpur: As part of ongoing Golden
Jubilee celebrations, IIT Kanpur organized a mega event "Open House -
Inspiring Young Minds" on 8th February 2010. The event was intended to
excite and inspire young school children towards the areas of Science
and Technology. It provided them with an excellent opportunity to meet
and interact with faculty members, researchers and students of IITK as
well as tour our beautiful campus.
It is worth mentioning that it is only for the second time in the history of IITK that such a community outreach event has been organized. The first was held during the Silver Jubilee celebrations, 25yrs ago.
Around 5000 higher secondary students (9th to 12th) from 50 schools enthusiastically participated in this event along with their teachers. School buses reached the campus in three different time slots - 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:00 noon, respectively. After reporting at the welcome desk (at Main Auditorium Ground), several groups were formed with each group comprising 20 students. Each group had a post-graduate student volunteer under whose guidance students were taken on an academic tour of the campus. The 1200 acre large campus was primarily divided into two zones: Academic Area and Non-Academic Area. Inside the academic area, students were taken on a guided tour of departmental laboratories, with state of the art research facilities along with hi-tech computer center, central library, TA201 Laboratory and Central Workshop. Some exciting demonstrations of the major facilities were given by the IITK students and faculty coordinators to these young minds. Further, these students spent a significant time in the poster session that was specially arranged in the main Auditorium Ground where all faculty departments showcased their current research activities and the significance of their specialization. The entire campus was buzzing with activity. There were several other interesting exhibits for the students throughout the day. The major attractions included IIT Kanpur History Exhibition, Hindi Cell stall and Student Gymkhana stall. NPTEL stalls and Design Program exibits were put up under the guidance of Dr. Satyaki Roy. Shiksha Sopan, an IITK based NGO, also displayed some basic science experiments explaining many scientific concepts in the Student Activity Centre. Another hit and a rare experience for the visiting students was a visit to the Institute Gliding facility.
The event was not all about science and technology. To give students a complete exposure to all aspects of development, Health Center of the institute, in association with Adolescence Society, Kanpur and Raptakoss Brett and Co., organized an exhibition on Adolescent Health Issues in the Media Center grounds. The theme was 'Yuva Bharat - Swastha Bharat' (Young India-Healthy India). The visit to this health exhibition seemed to provoke them to ponder on the intricate issues related to adolescents. Much to the delight of the students, organizers also attempted to give a flavor of hostel life to them. The tour included visits to Hall of Residence VII and VIII where the visitors directly interacted with the IITK students. Finally, an hour long movie was screened in the Main Auditorium for the children in three slots giving a glimpse of the historical development of the institute. At the time of good bye, all children were distributed environmentally friendly souvenirs, sponsored by the Alumni Association of IIT Kanpur. Success of the event could be gauged from the exuberant faces of the students who were oozing out of energy. Even after spending five hours in the campus, they showed no signs of fatigue. There was no limit to their level of enthusiasm. 'This is for the first time that I came to IIT. It is an awesome feeling. We also got an opportunity to interact with some students here', said a student. 'I dream to be a part of this campus one day', said another student. Undoubtedly, the event was a huge success. Kudos to the entire IITK community including the faculty and the students who made this event a grand success. The event was coordinated by Dr. Sameer Khandekar, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
It is worth mentioning that it is only for the second time in the history of IITK that such a community outreach event has been organized. The first was held during the Silver Jubilee celebrations, 25yrs ago.
Around 5000 higher secondary students (9th to 12th) from 50 schools enthusiastically participated in this event along with their teachers. School buses reached the campus in three different time slots - 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:00 noon, respectively. After reporting at the welcome desk (at Main Auditorium Ground), several groups were formed with each group comprising 20 students. Each group had a post-graduate student volunteer under whose guidance students were taken on an academic tour of the campus. The 1200 acre large campus was primarily divided into two zones: Academic Area and Non-Academic Area. Inside the academic area, students were taken on a guided tour of departmental laboratories, with state of the art research facilities along with hi-tech computer center, central library, TA201 Laboratory and Central Workshop. Some exciting demonstrations of the major facilities were given by the IITK students and faculty coordinators to these young minds. Further, these students spent a significant time in the poster session that was specially arranged in the main Auditorium Ground where all faculty departments showcased their current research activities and the significance of their specialization. The entire campus was buzzing with activity. There were several other interesting exhibits for the students throughout the day. The major attractions included IIT Kanpur History Exhibition, Hindi Cell stall and Student Gymkhana stall. NPTEL stalls and Design Program exibits were put up under the guidance of Dr. Satyaki Roy. Shiksha Sopan, an IITK based NGO, also displayed some basic science experiments explaining many scientific concepts in the Student Activity Centre. Another hit and a rare experience for the visiting students was a visit to the Institute Gliding facility.
The event was not all about science and technology. To give students a complete exposure to all aspects of development, Health Center of the institute, in association with Adolescence Society, Kanpur and Raptakoss Brett and Co., organized an exhibition on Adolescent Health Issues in the Media Center grounds. The theme was 'Yuva Bharat - Swastha Bharat' (Young India-Healthy India). The visit to this health exhibition seemed to provoke them to ponder on the intricate issues related to adolescents. Much to the delight of the students, organizers also attempted to give a flavor of hostel life to them. The tour included visits to Hall of Residence VII and VIII where the visitors directly interacted with the IITK students. Finally, an hour long movie was screened in the Main Auditorium for the children in three slots giving a glimpse of the historical development of the institute. At the time of good bye, all children were distributed environmentally friendly souvenirs, sponsored by the Alumni Association of IIT Kanpur. Success of the event could be gauged from the exuberant faces of the students who were oozing out of energy. Even after spending five hours in the campus, they showed no signs of fatigue. There was no limit to their level of enthusiasm. 'This is for the first time that I came to IIT. It is an awesome feeling. We also got an opportunity to interact with some students here', said a student. 'I dream to be a part of this campus one day', said another student. Undoubtedly, the event was a huge success. Kudos to the entire IITK community including the faculty and the students who made this event a grand success. The event was coordinated by Dr. Sameer Khandekar, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
