Programme for teachers
Over the years, with the help of its Fellowship, the Academy has built up a database of bright and motivated teachers from colleges and universities around the country. These teachers are invited to the scientific meetings of the Academy and participate in our science education programmes. It thus provides opportunities for them to attend the scientific programmes and to meet and interact with Fellows of the Academy. Over the past decade, about 650 teachers have attended the Academy meetings.
Programme for teachers the day before the Mid-Year Meeting
On the day prior to the start of the Mid-Year meeting in July, a half-day programme of lectures is arranged for the benefit of these invited teachers. This programme was started several years ago in 2006, by the then Editor of Journal of Biosciences V. Nanjundiah. It consisted of semi-popular lectures in biology. This one-day programme entitled 'Biology Today' had lectures by prominent biologists.
In 2011, the focus slightly shifted and the programme included mini-symposia of lectures both in life sciences and earth sciences. In 2012, the programme was a symposium entitled "Bridging the gap between Earth and Life Sciences" and covered four lectures in earth sciences. It was coordinated by Professors Nibir Mandal and PN Vinayachandran.
In 2013, as a new concept, a few of the invited teachers were provided an opportunity to give lecture presentations on their area of work as well as about their experiences in working as a teacher. This was followed by an interactive session. A half-day mini-symposium entitled 'Lectures in Physics and Chemistry' covering three lectures, was conducted for the benefit of invited teachers. Professors V.A. Raghunathan and E. Arunan coordinated this symposium.