Faculty Awardees 2020-21

In a Deluge of Triumphs:
Dr. Neeru Malik Stands as an Exemplar of a True Academic

Pune, Maharashtra | January to March, 2021

This year has not just been absolutely great for our school when it came to being bestowed with an array of awards but also for the people who painstakingly work hard to ensure S.B. Patil School reaches its zenith when it comes to performance.

Two such people who has been flooded with awards since the commencement of this year are Dr. Bindu Saini, principal of our school; and Ms. Neeru Malik, the Innovation Lab in-charge.

Late last year Ms. Malik had her research paper “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education System”, co-authored by our principal, Dr. Bindu Saini; and coordinator, Ms. Padmavati Banda, published in the International Journal of Engineering Research in Computer Science and Engineering (IJERCSE) Vol 7, Issue 9, September 2020.

The paper, which was initially published at a conference at the Heartfulness Education Trust discussed about how the 2019-20 corona virus has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the near-total closures of schools, universities and colleges. At the middle April 2020, approximately 1.723 billion learners were affected due to school closures in response to the pandemic.

According to UNESCO monitoring, 191 countries implemented nationwide closures and five implemented local closures, impacting about 98.4% of the world's student population. School closures impacted not only students, teachers, and families, but have far- reaching economic and social consequences.

School closures in response to COVID-19 have shed light on various issues including student debt, digital learning, food insecurity, and homelessness, as well as access to childcare, health care, housing, internet, and disability services.

The objective of the study was to assess the adoption rate for virtual classes and to determine the various benefits, challenges, and reason for non-adoption of virtual classes. In response to school closures, universities recommended the use of distance learning programs and open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely and limit the disruption of education.

In another achievement, Ms. Malik and Dr. Saini again published a paper, “A Relative Study on English Language Teaching Around the World to Young Learners” for the International Conference on “Mythology: Past, Present and Future”, held on January 29th and 30th, 2021, organised by the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies Faculty of Media Studies and Humanities, Department of English.

In their paper, the authoresses spoke about how the usage of the English language as ‘Lingua Franca’ has caused an increasing demand on the English Language Teaching (ELT) in early childhood.

According to Braj Kachru’s “Three Circles Model of World Englishes” describing the Inner Circle, the Outer Circle, and the Expanding Circle the approaches to be adopted by the Young Learners dramatically differs. Besides the features of English as a global language and the nature of early language learning, this paper also focuses on the comparison of the three different examples from the ‘Three Circles Model of World Englishes’.

These are compared in terms of techniques that are used and the approaches to the Young Learners. The examples taken are from the official websites of the three countries from the Inner Circle, Outer Circle, and the Expanding Circle; respectively, Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development, and, New Zealand’s Ministry of Education, the Turkish Board of Education and Instruction.

Further to this, Ms. Neeru Malik was also recipient of the Vigyan Mitra Puraskar, 2021 by Sciencify India for her endearing contribution to the field of study. Post the Marathi Divas and Avishkar Awardees Announcement ceremonies, the details of which can be found in “A Truly Raapchik Performance: Celebrating Marathi Divas” in the Special Assemblies and Events section; and “The Joy of Innovation: Announcing the Avishkar Awardees” in the Competitions and Conferrings section respectively; Ms. Neeru Malik’s achievements were praised by the principal, Dr. Saini who also felicitated her with the Vigyan Mitra Puraskar.

As if not enough, Ms. Malik was further conferred upon by the prestigious Institute of Scholars with professional membership, was recognised as a Reviewer for the Journal of Institute of Scholars, and the Award for Research Excellence for her paper, “The Effect and Application of 3D Printing Technology.”

And to end the litany of award receipts, Ms. Malik was also awarded a Doctorate by CMJ University, Meghalaya. Her thesis was on the “Performance and Analysis of Anti-reflection Coating for Reduction of Fiber Losses in Fiber-to-Fiber Connectors”.

We congratulate the now Dr. Neeru Malik (BTech, MTech, BEd, PhD). It is truly refreshing and a sight for sore eyes to see someone who is so immersed and dedicated to academics not only teaching-wise but also elevate herself, professionally to suit the ever-competitive environment. We are immensely proud of her! May she continually grow and surpass our expectations as always.

Winning an Array of Awards:
A Mighty Big Congrats to Ms. Anjali Gugale

Pune, Maharashtra | December 2020

Alert Knowledge Service Worldwide Pvt. Ltd. is an innovative training, technology, education management and research organisation. They specialize in helping organisations achieve the seemingly impossible on a global scale.

It works with schools and colleges for helping them improve quality of education in their institutions by conduct training programs for almost all the stakeholders of education including students, teachers, principals, administrators, directors, accountants, librarians, counsellors etc. of the institutions for their skill development in India and abroad, whilst also aiding the schools improve by doing their quality audits.

Ms. Anjali Gugale was presented with the award for her work as an educator and working on international collaboration projects for the British Council International Schools Award. She was nominated for the award by school faculties from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and by the principal Dr.Bindu Saini; school coordinator Ms. Padmavati Banda, as well as teachers and faculties from our school and the Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering.

The award ceremony was conducted online on December 20th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 guidelines of social distancing, and the prevailing lockdown.

Further to this, the Institute of Scholars (InSc) is an emerging technical professional organization established in the year 2014 with the aim to connect scholars, academics and professional from allied industries. InSc’smotto is to serve the international science and engineering community through dissemination of knowledge on recent advances in different fields of Science and Engineering through its several departments.

Ms. Anjali Gugale was presented with the Young Researcher Award for a conference presentation of her research paper on the topic “Creating Future Ready Schools for Holistic Development” at the Heartfulness “National Conference - Values Today Civilization Tomorrow”, held on October 2nd, 3rdand 4th, 2020.

She has been awarded lifetime professional membership of Institute of Scholars and has been recognized as a reviewer for the Journals of the InScInternational Journal of Management and Social Studies.

All Set for Step for STEM, Level 2:
A Virtual Educative Experience at IISER

Pune, Maharashtra | December 22nd and 23rd, 2020

In collaboration with TATA, the Indian Institute of Scientific Education and Research (IISER), Puneorganised AStep for STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Project for all science teachers from in and around Pune. Only a hundred were selected from the Pune region.

Under this project, Ms. Varsha Deshmukh, mathematics teacher; and Ms. Darshana Kamat, science teacher at S.B. Patil Public School were fortunate to have successfully completed the set series of ten workshops entitled, Level 1. Ms. Kamat qualified for Level 2. Her story on successfully completing Level 1 can be found in Endeavour (April 2020), page 22, “Ms. Kamat Selected for IISER's STEM Level 2”.

As part of this series of the Level 2 workshops, she presented three text lesson plans as per guidelines set by the IISER).The topics for the lesson plans were:

1. The Renal System in Humans
2. The Transportation in Plants
3. Metals and Non- metals

Scheduled on the 22nd and 23rd of December 2020, for the next stage, Ms. Kamat was invited for a video shoot of all the three lesson plans at IISER. The following is a narrative of her experience in her own words:

“For the first time I experienced the magical words, “Camera rolling and… Action!” along with multiple takes and retakes. This seemed so new yet so exhilarating as it was something utterly different instead of the conventional taking out of one’s textbooks, paying attention to the blackboard or smartboard, jotting down notes and dictations in notebooks, and everything that goes with.

It was a great experience as I got to learn many a new thing. Technology has brought in many new strides, and as a science teacher, I feel so proud to be associated with a prestigious institute like IISER. I thank my school management; my principal, Dr. Saini; the coordinators and my colleagues that were my pillar… or “stem” of support as I underwent this mesmerising and novel experience.”

With the motto of teaching children right from the grass root or school level, IISER has been training teachers with hands-on activities so that they can pass the knowledge on to students, and aid them take a vested interest in science and math instead of rote learning.

During the two-day event, Ms. Deshmukh was invited for a video shoot wherein she was asked to speak on topics such as the area and perimeter of triangles, squares rectangles and circles. Ms. Deshmukh also got the opportunity to visit different institutes like the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) understanding the study of weather, weather changes, the use of weather balloons, as well as the cross-section study of wood layers to understand what weather was like thousands of years ago.

Both teachers also got the opportunity to listen to scientists such as Padmashree awardee, Dr. Arvind Gupta; Dr, Natu; Dr. Ramachandra Bhat; Dr. A.K. Sinha, an ISRO Scientist. This experience immensely broadened their understanding and perceptions of the subjects.

We at S.B. Patil could not be more proud of Ms. Deshmukh and Ms. Kamat! We congratulate both of them for all their hard work and efforts that have solely led them to this point, and we wish them the very best for their journey through Level 2 and everything else.

Publications on 3D Printing, and the Impact and Effect of COVID-19 on Education from the Academic Standpoint

Pune, Maharashtra | June 6th, July 5thand October 3rd, 2020

Introduction

In another proud moment for us all, Ms. Neeru Malik, the Innovative Lab in-charge; Dr.Bindu Saini, principal, S.B. Patil Public School; and Ms. Padmavati Banda, school coordinator got their names etched in the realm of academia by having three of their scholarly articles published.

Background to the First Study

On July 6th, 2020, the first paper, “The Effect and Application of 3D Printing Technology” was presented at the Internal Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering, Science and Technology (ICEST - 20), Pune, India organised by the Institute for Research and Academic Journals (IRAJ). Ms. Neeru Malik and Dr.Bindu Saini authored the research.

 

 

 

Nature of the First Study

The paper stressed on 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing technology, and how it is going to be a very big prospect and benefit to myriad industries in the coming future. It explained how 3D printers print objects from a digital template to a physical and tangible three-dimensional physical object. The printing is done layer by layer (additive manufacturing) using plastic, metal, nylon, and over a hundred other materials.

Until now 3D printinghas been found to be useful in sectors such as manufacturing, industrial design, jewellery,footwear, architecture, engineering and many others. It also has been found to be the fast andcost-effective solution in whichever field of use.

Significance,Scope and Objective of the First Study

The applications of 3D printing are everincreasing and its proving to be a very exciting technology to look out for. Based on these evidences, the paper sought to explore how 3D printing works whilst emphasising on itscurrent and future applications.

Background to the Second and Third Study

The second paper, “The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Education System” was presented on July 5th, 2020 at the World Conference on E-education, E- Business & E-Commerce, organised by the Association for Scientific and Academic Research (ASAR) at Vishakapatnam, India. Following this, the third publication, “Changing Education System During COVID-19Pandemic” was presented in the Heartfulness Education Trust’s Virtual National Conference held from October 3rd, 2020. Both papers were again authored by Ms. Neeru Malik, Dr.Bindu Saini and Ms. Padmavati Banda.

Nature of the Studies

With both studies being based on parallel material, theauthors emphasised on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the near-total closures of schools, universities and colleges during 2019-20. Midst of April 2020,approximately 1.723 billion learners were affected due to school closures in response to the pandemic.

In accordance to UNESCO monitoring, 191 countries implemented nationwide closures and five implemented local closures, impacting about 98.4% ofthe world's student population. School closures impacted not only students, teachers, and families, but had far-reaching economic and social consequences.

School closures inresponse to COVID-19 inevitably shed light on various issues including student debt, digitallearning, food insecurity, and homelessness, as well as access to childcare, health care,housing, internet, and disability services.

Significance,Scope and Objective ofthe Studies

The objective of the study was to assess theadoption rate for virtual classes and to determine the various benefits, challenges, andreason for non-adoption of virtual classes. In response to school closures, universitiesrecommended the use of distance learning programs and open educational applications andplatforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely and limit thedisruption of education

End Notes

Getting an academic paper published is in itself a feat. It not only adds value to one’s self and career path but also sets one on a pedestal of recognition the world throughout. We applaud Ms. Malik, Dr. Saini and Ms. Banda for having not just one but three papers published. We also wish them the very best and hope to see more publications by them that brought us such insight in future.

A Heartful of Education:
A Study on the Imperativeness of Future-ready Schools Aimed at the Holistic Development of Learners at the HED Virtual National Conference

Pune, Maharashtra | October 4thto 6th, 2020

Introduction

We at S.B. Patil Public School heartily congratulate Ms. Anjali Gugale, the social science teacher and British Council ISA coordinator who recently presented her academic paper in the Heartfulness Education Trust’s Virtual National Conference held from October 4th to 6th, 2020.

Background to the Study

Her paper, “Creating Future Ready Schools for Holistic Development” reflected on the theme of creating future-ready schools for the holistic development of students.In her paper, Ms. Gugale argued that creating future-ready schools it is imperative to understand thesocial, cultural and environmental developments of present times that influence thepolicy making with the changing times.

 

 

Nature of the Study

Based on empirical research the paper dealt with the identified changes in the policy making ensuring holisticdevelopment of the learners; imparting vital soft skillslike good communication, creative thinking and conflict resolution; and finallystressed on imparting life skills for self-driven learning by becoming aware about self-efficacy. The study reflected that utilisation of pedagogical approach can enhance self-driven self-management.

Significance,Scope and Objective of the Study

The main finding of the study was that learners who are well-trained in soft skills and life skills can adapt themselves easily in the fast paced world. New educational practices and approaches need to be explored and practised byschools to ensure future ready global citizens living in a progressive global village.

Thus to create future ready vibrant schools new research based paradigms like meditation to develop self-efficacy and motivation and an understanding of theenvironment around us should be promoted.

End Notes

On behalf of everyone at S.B. Patil Public School, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Ms. Gugale for having her paper published, and wish her the very best for the future.