“Mere scoring of high marks by mugging up the lessons is no good. You should learn and be thorough in the fundamentals of science subjects in order to understand the concepts well when you go for higher studies in science or engineering”, P. Sivakumar, Scientist `H’ and Director, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Defence Research & Development Organisation told the students.

He inaugurated InoVIT-2015, the South India Level Science Contest for School Children at the VIT University here on Saturday.

Dr. Sivakumar said that it is unfortunate that under pressure from parents, the Plus Two students are adopting the strategy of mugging up the lessons in order to score 95 per cent and above marks in the public examinations. Such students struggle when they go to college.

“You cannot understand the lessons taught in college without acclear understanding of the fundamentals”, he said.


Importance for science

G.V. Selvam, Vice-President, VIT University who presided said that the school education system in India should place importance on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“Neither engineering nor technology is a part of the regular curriculum in India unlike USA and Singapore. Greater focus is given on science.

And here InoVIT offers to bridge this gap. The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) has initiated the Government to infuse significantly larger investment to enhance the quality of STEM education from class I to XII level in India to realise the dream of making India a technological superpower, sooner than later”, he said.

A. Ruban Kumar, Organising Secretary, InoVIT 2015 said that 800 students from 130 schools in south India are participating in the contest. V.M. Chandrasekaran, Dean, School of Advanced Sciences (SAS), VIT and Convener of InoVIT spoke of the event. Y. Dominic Ravichandran, Professor, SAS proposed a vote of thanks.