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Explore the Urban Woods

Summer Camp 16th to 22nd May 2018

Organized by

The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU)

&

Center for Environment Education (CEE)

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CONTENT TABLE

Sl. No. Session Page No.

Introduction 3

Session 1 Inauguration 4

Session 2 Life skills 4

Session 3 Life around us 4-5

Session 4 Introduction to Plants 5

Session 5 Plant Anatomy 6

Session 6 Herbarium Techniques 6

Session 7 Exploring Medicinal Plants 7

Session 8 Introduction to Manuscripts 7

Session 9 Talk on Primary Health Care using Medicinal

Plants

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Session 10 Preparation of Home remedies 8

Session 11 Playing on curing illness 8-9

Session 12 Flip the Circle 9

Session 13 Introduction to Reptiles 10

Session 14 Who am I? 10

Session 15 Introduction to Eco Designing 11

Session 16 Introduction to Insects 11

Session 17 Movie - “The Big Miracle” 12

Session 18 Exploring sleeping bags 12

Session 19 Nature Walk 12

Session 20 Introduction to Birds 13

Session 21 Water Management 13

Session 22 Passing the stick 13-14

Session 23 Movie- “Duma” 14

Session 24 Night Walk 14

Session 25 Nature Walk 15

Session 26 Colors of Nature 15

Session 27 Elephants – The Gentle Giants 15-16

Session 28 Plastic Pollution & Mitigation Measures 16

Session 29 Fish in the Pond 16

Valedictory and feedback session 17

Acknowledgement 17

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Introduction

Unless students locate their individual stand point in relation to the concepts represented in textbooks

and relate their knowledge to their environment, knowledge is reduced to the level of mere

information. Hence, there is a need for children to understand and appreciate our country’s natural

resources and learn how to conserve those resources for future generations through activities with

scope for hands on experience, observation, experiments and outdoor learnings. With respect to

Environment and Traditional Knowledge, the National Curriculum Framework 2005 emphasizes on

the following:

• Make children sensitive to the environment and the need for its protection is another

important curricular concern. The emergence of new technological choices and living styles

witnessed during the last century has led to environmental degradation and vast imbalances

between the advantaged and the disadvantaged. It has become imperative now more than ever

before to nurture and preserve the environment.

• Informal learning in society builds on the learners’ natural ability to draw upon and construct

their own knowledge, to develop their 13 capacities, in relating to the environment around

them, both physical and social, and to the task at hand…

• Child-centered’ pedagogy giving primacy to children’s experiences, their voices, and their

active participation..

• Many communities and individuals in India are a rich storehouse of knowledge about many

aspects of India's environment, acquired over generations and handed down as traditional

knowledge, as well as through an individual's practical experience. In these situations,

teachers could help children develop projects of study based on local traditions and people's

practical ecological knowledge; this may also involve comparing these with the school

approach…

From the traditional methodology, the current curriculum framework focuses on a) Learner centric,

flexible process; b) Learner autonomy; c) Facilitates, supports and encourages learning; d) Active

participation in learning, e) Learning in the wider social context; f) Multidisciplinary, educational

focus; g) Multiple and divergent exposure

The six day nature education camp conducted by TDU and CEE for students follows the above

guidelines of National Curriculum Framework 2005 enabling child centric learning. This program

gives an opportunity to learn the basics of taxonomy, anatomy, importance of biodiversity and

conservation, preparation of home remedies for primary health care, nursery techniques and basic

life skills.

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Session Details:

Day 1: 16/05/2018

Session 1: Inauguration

The program commenced with the welcome speech by Ms. Anu. V,

Senior Research Fellow. Mr. R.Giridharan, Registrar, TDU, Bangalore

and Mr. Santosh, Regional Director, CEE South Campus gave an

overview of work done by TDU and CEE. Ms. Amrita G. explained

about the program scheduled for seven days.

Session 2: Life skills

Session on Life Skills for the students was taught with fun activities. Student were asked to note

down the rules and regulations that will be followed throughout the summer camp and explain to

others so that it make them realize the importance of following rules in day to day life. Few other

skills that are very important for the students to understand and follow in life such as responsibility,

respect, and integrity and personality development was also taught. These skills were explained to

them based on activities through group discussions, speech, drama etc. The title of the dram was

responsibility. By activities they are more towards understanding the concept and realizing to have

such skills to become a better person in life. - Anu V.

Students participating in life skill activity

Session 3: Life around us:

The concept was to mainly introduce students into experiential learning to their surrounding living-

world (i.e. Biodiversity). Here we introduced the students to understand and analyze through keen

observation, which is the key element to bring curiosity among the students to their surrounding

living-world. The participants were asked to explore the TDU campus and observe five minutes of

Ms. Anu welcoming the

gathering to the program

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each species which they encountered during their exploration and asked to record what they have

seen at their habitats. Further, each student drew the diagram of those species and discuss among the

peers in the groups and share their prior knowledge, here facilitator provided scope for discussion

across the groups and share their opinions. Overall in this exercises, students recorded 4 butterflies,

3 birds, 5 types of ants, amphibians, termites and insects. Students started debating on each species

and its ecosystem services. Finally, facilitator tried to explain each species and its importance in our

day today life. – Chetan HC

Life around us activity and sharing among the peers

Session 4: Introduction to plants

Session started by playing a video to make children visualize the herbs, shrubs, trees in the nature,

later a small introduction on how angiosperms evolved was explained. Students were more curious

to know the function and different parts of the plants, difference between monocot and dicot, tissues

and external morphology of the plants was also taught to the students. Students were then called and

asked them to draw the flower diagram and made them understand the parts of the flower and

explained the process of pollination. - Amrita G.

Students drawing the parts of the Flower Ms. Amrita explaining the difference between Monocot and

Dicot plant

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Day 2: 17/05/2018

Session 5: Plant Anatomy

This session was purely hands on training. The session started with introducing students to plant

anatomy. Demonstration on preparation of anatomy slides was shown by taking sections of a dicot

(Tinospora cordifolia) and a monocot stem (Pennisetum species) and staining technique was

taught, students were invited to the stage to observe the specimen through the microscope and

examine the xylem, phloem, epidermis, & cortex. Students were excited to take sections and they felt

amazed to see the plant tissues with their naked eyes through microscope. - Dr. Anbarashan

Students taking sections of plant specimens and observing under microscope

Session 6: Herbarium Techniques

This session introduced students to techniques of herbarium, its importance and uses of herbarium.

Students were also taught what kind of specimens should be selected, how to maintain the herbarium

book at the time of collection. Students were then asked to prepare herbarium specimens with the

help of given specimen. Students prepared the herbarium sheets in group of five and promised to do

the same in their school. - Dr. Anbarashan and Mr. Patturaj

Dr. Anbarashan explaining the techniques of herbarium preparation and Students preparing herbarium

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Session 7:

Exploring Medicinal Plants

The students then visited Ethnomedicinal garden of TDU campus, it has over 450 species of

medicinal plants, and the nursery has mist chambers for propagation and shade houses with misting

facility for special indoor plants. Explanation on propagation and nursery techniques of some of the

medicinal plants which are essential was taught to students. Species having unique nursery and

propagation technique was explained. This session also taught students how to identify plants by

touch, sense of smell. A small demonstration on how to prepare vermicomposting pit and with the

help of compost by using recycle items was shown to students. Students were thrilled to see the earth

worm and also by knowing its importance in vermicomposting. - Ms. Nandinin D.

Ms. Nandini, explaining students on Nursery techniques and Vermicomposting

Day 3: 18/05/2018

Session 8:

Introduction to Manuscripts

Session started with a brief introduction about Indian tradition,

knowledge, culture, philosophy, ancient science and technology.

Importance of Manuscripts, its necessity, conservation and

preservation, scripts, languages, techniques of deciphering the

manuscripts etc., was taught to students. This session also

emphasized on procuring the manuscript, publication, Necessity of

joining together i.e. propagating traditional knowledge using modern science and technology and

building a hybrid of people with multi-disciplinary skills. Practical application of modern science

and technology for propagating traditional knowledge was explained as the proof of the concept,

models of RukmaVimana was shown to the students. – Mr. Ananth

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Session 9:

Talk on Primary Health Care using Medicinal Plants

The concept of primary health care was introduced to the students and importance of medicinal plants

in preparing medicines at home for the few common diseases such as fever, cold, cough, skin

problems, indigestion with the help of Tulsi, (Coleus aromaticus, Aloe vera, etc. was explained to

students. Students were keen to know about remedies for the common diseases. - Dr. Vargheese

Thomas

Session 10:

Preparation of Home remedies

Students were taught about the importance of being healthy. Few important remedies that are easily

prepared at home to cure common diseases such as cold, fever, cough, indigestion, headache etc.

few examples like usage of dry skin of pomegranate, stems of Tinospora cordifolia, leaves of

Centella asiatica, Ocimum tenuiflorum etc were also taught to students. A small demonstration on

preparation of face pack with the turmeric and Aloe vera was shown to the students which helps in

curing acne, fungal infections etc. Demonstration of Kashaya with turmeric, pepper, water, ginger

and jaggery for common cold, cough and fever was taught to students, which made and ask more

questions related to remedies to cure common health problems. - Dr. Subramanya Kumar

Demonstration on preparation of Aloe vera gel and Kashaya

Session 11:

Playing on curing illness

Students were made into four groups (5 in each group), and for each group one topic was assigned

on common cold and cough, Acidity, hair fall and skin allergy. Students were asked to enact on the

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assigned topic, they were asked to show the symptoms, cause and prevention with the help of

medicinal plants. Participants were excited and performed the act with humorous and showed the

symptom for the disease, suggested cure for the aliment with medicinal plants and also mentioned

the preventive measures for common cold, cough, fever, acidity, hair fall and skin allergy. This

activity helped students to remember the concept of primary health care for a long time and it also

helps students to build curiosity to know herbal remedies which they follow in their routine.

Students enacting the cure for common aliments like cold, cough, hair fall, acidity etc. With the help of Medicinal

plants Day 4: 19/05/2018

Session 12

Flip the Circle

An activity called ‘Flip the Circle’ was conducted. In this session Students were divided into two

groups and asked to stand in an inward circle holding the hands of person next to them. Once the

circle was formed, they were asked to turn outwards without letting go of the hand. They tried

different techniques but failed to turn comfortably. Then they were taught a simple technique where

they were able to comfortably turn without breaking the chain. This activity was to give them an

understanding that any situation will have a solvable solution if we think out of the box. - Mr Vrijulal

MV

Students participating in flip the Circle activity

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Session 13

Introduction to Reptiles

This session focused on introduction to reptiles and helped to bust the myths and misunderstandings

about snakes and few other reptiles. Explanation on how to differentiate between venomous and

nonvenomous snakes, types of venom, how to avoid snakes in case of a bite, what are the symptoms

& what are the first aid to be taken was taught to students. - Mr Ajay Ravindra

Mr. Ajay Ravindra, taking session on Reptiles

Session 14

‘Who am I?’

Children were made to take part in an activity called ‘Who am I?’. In this activity, children were

divided into teams of 4 and one of them had to pick a card blindly which had an image of a plant,

animal, insect, fruit etc. This card was shown to the team members and the student who picked the

card had to ask 10 closed end questions to find out the content of the card. This activity enhances the

questioning skills and focuses on detailed observation of various components of nature. - Chaturved

Shet R

Children participating in the activity – “Who am I?”

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Session 15

‘Introduction to Eco Designing’

Next session was an interactive session on ‘Eco Designs’. Interesting concepts were introduced to

the students by demonstrating a writing pad made of recycled paper and a sitting stool made of

recycled cardboard, copying the honeycomb structure. This led students on creative and sustainable

thinking – Mr. Niranjan Khatri

Mr Niranjan Khatri conducted an interactive session on ‘Eco Designs’

Session 16

Introduction to Insects

This session focused on Insects. Students were brief on what insects are, and how they are diversified.

The session also emphasized more on the butterflies which are common in the CEE & TDU campus

on identification, key features and documenting procedures. Students were also thought various

insights of technologies that we have copied from butterflies and adapted in our lives. - Mr Chaturved

Shet R

Mr Chaturved Shet R conducted a session on Insects

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Session 17

Movie - “The Big Miracle”

Children were made to watch a real life movie ‘The Big Miracle’ which was about a community that

are dependent on whales for their survival, rescuing whales that were caught between thick ice. It

showcases the need for sustainable harvest of natural resources for the continuity of whale

populations which in turn ensures the survival of communities that are dependent on these whales.

Session 18

Exploring sleeping bags

Students were taught how to use sleeping bags and were made to sleep in the sleeping bags for 2

nights.

Students experiencing sleeping bags

Day 5: 20/05/2018

Session 19

Nature Walk

Students were taken on a nature walk to observe the biodiversity of Jarakabande Kaval neighborhood.

They were made to observe various insects, birds, frogs, reptiles etc and were taught on how to

identify, their food and nesting requirements and the interdependence between organisms and

humans. They were also taught on documenting procedures and they documented the biodiversity

during the walk.

Students exploring

Biodiversity nature walk at

Jarakabande Kaval

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Session 20

Introduction to Birds

This session focused on ‘Birds’ where students were made to share their observation about birds

during the nature walk. Then they were explained about identification features on birds and how

birds are named after their key characteristics. They were also taught about evolution, diversity,

feeding, nesting, plumage, courtship, migration etc. briefly to give them an insight to the avian

world. - Mr Vrijulal MV

Mr Vrijulal MV taking a session on ‘Birds’

Session 21

Water Management

This session was an Interactive session on ‘Water

Management’ students were introduced to different

scenarios asked them to discuss how they would solve the

water management issues. Personal experience of Mr.

Niranjan Katri was shared when he had visit to Port Blair

and how water crisis was tackled. Students were taught on

the importance of how scarce the water resource is and

how each one can contribute towards conserving water. Students also promised to implement the rain

water harvesting at their home. - Mr Niranjan Khatri

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Session 22

Passing the stick

This session focused on activity called ‘Passing the Stick’. Children were made to pass a long stick

using only their forefingers. They found it very difficult to balance the stick and pass it on to the next

person without proper coordination. Later they were explained as the stick representing the natural

resources and each person representing a generation. This made them aware on how it is each ones

responsibility to pass on the natural resources to their next generation. - Mr Vrijulal MV & Mr

Nagesh Betsur

Mr Vrijulal MV & Mr Nagesh Betsur conducted an activity called ‘Passing the Stick’

Session 23

Movie- “Duma”

A movie based on real story called ‘Duma’ was showcased to the children. It is about a child who

rescues a Cheetah and goes on a journey to find its real home. This movie demonstrates the need to

releasing the rescued animals back into the wild without keeping it away from its natural home.

Session 24

Night Walk

Children were taken for Night Walk in the campus to explore the biodiversity at night. They were

divided into two groups and were made to observe various bugs, beetles, reptiles etc and explained

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how and why these creatures choose to stay active during the night when compared to many

organisms that are active during the day. - Mr Vrijulal MV & Mr Chaturved Shet

Day 6: 21/05/2018

Session 25

Nature Walk

Nature Walk at Jarakabande Kaval Tree Park continued to

observation & documentation of biodiversity. Children were

explained about the adaptations by various organisms to

survive in different types of habitats and weather conditions.

The highlight of the day was that they all saw a Peacock and were very excited to see one so close in

the wild for the first time. Mr Vrijulal MV & Chaturved Shet.

Session 26

Colors of Nature

An activity called ‘Colors of Nature’ was conducted to the

students, where the students had to note all the different colors

they observed in the in the green area of the campus. Initially

everyone responded with only shades of green, however on

careful observation they started seeing more colors when

attention was given to even tiny things. One of the students even documented around 30 different

colors. This educated them to see that there are many things right in front of them which they fail to

observe and assured to be keen in observing their surroundings. -Mr Vrijulal MV

Session 27

‘Elephants – The Gentle Giants’

This session focused on ‘Elephants – The Gentle Giants’ explaining to children about interesting

information about these mighty creatures. Right from the different species, evolution, adaptations,

communication, family structure etc were touched upon and children came up with many questions

about various myths and religious beliefs. - Mr Santosh Sutar

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Mr Santosh Sutar giving session on ‘Elephants – The Gentle Giants’

Session 28

Plastic Pollution & Mitigation Measures

This session focused on Plastic Pollution & Mitigation Measures. Children were asked to come up

with interesting ideas to suggest alternatives where plastic is used regularly. It was quite inquisitive

for the children to learn there are many occasions where they can replace plastic in daily lives with

simple alternatives that are ecofriendly. - Mr. Niranjan Khatri

Mr. Niranjan Khatri taking an interactive session on Plastic Pollution & Mitigation Measures

Session 29

Fish in the Pond

Finally, an activity called ‘Fish in the Pond’ was conducted

Children were asked to be like fishermen and harvest fish in a

sustainable manner. This activity portrays how is management of

resources happens. How resource crunch occurs even though

there is enough resource. By the end of the activity they had a

clear understanding about sharing of resources for sustainable

future. - Mr Vrijulal MV & Chaturved Shet.

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Day 7: 22/05/2018

Valedictory and feedback session:

The program concluded by valedictory program and by taking feedback from student. Dr. Navin

Sharma, Dean Research, TDU Bangalore was the chief gust of the program, who guided students on

how to take biodiversity as research subject in their future. Students gave a positive feedback on each

session and promised as that they will start observing the species, plants around them. Mr. Santosh

and Dr.M. Abdul Kareem concluded the program by thanking the staff and the students.

Navin Sharma, Dr. Abdul Kareem and Mr. Santosh addressing the gathering

Acknowledgement:

We acknowledge the participants who are from Vishwas, a Shelter Home for disadvantaged children

- an initiative by Helpline Charitable Trust Bangalore. And also to iSambhav through its CSR

initiatives has come forward to reimburse part of their expenditure incurred towards the summer

camp.

List of Faculty

1. Dr. M. Abdul Kareem, Associate Professor and Course Co-ordinator, TDU

2. Mr. Santosh R Sutar., Regional Director, CEE South

3. Dr. Subramanya Kumar, Assistant Professor, Ayurvedic Physician, TDU

4. Dr. Chetan, Assistant Professor, TDU

5. Ms. Nandini D., Consultant, TDU

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6. Mr. Vrijulal MV., Project Officer, CEE South

7. Mr. Nagesh Betasur., Project Officer, CEE Karnataka

8. Dr. Anbarashan, Ecologist, TDU

9. Dr. Vargheese Thomas, Phd. Scholar, TDU

10. Mr. Chaturved Shet R., Project Associate, CEE South

11. Mr. Ananth, Research Scholar, TDU

12. Mr. Patturaj, Research Scholar, TDU

13. Ms. Anu V., Senior Research Fellow, TDU

14. Ms. Amrita G., Research Fellow, TDU

List of Participants

SI. No. Name of the Participants

1. Akash K.

2. Shakthi

3. Nicku

4. Prajwal

5. John Alexander

6. Ramagowda

7. Parashuram

8. Vishal

9. Kishor

10. Nithya A.

11. Lakshmi. A

12. Sneha

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13. Rajeshwari S.

14. Keerthana M.

15. Geetha S.

16. Vidyashree S.B.

17. Shwetha R.