Introduction
The great variety of life on earth that has provided humans with all their needs since time immemorial forms a support system which has been used by civilizations for their growth and development. Our dependence on nature is so great that man cannot continue to live without protecting the earth’s environmental resources.
Understanding the organization of plants and animals has helped in utilizing the earth’s biological wealth for the benefit of humanity and has been integral to the process of ‘development’. This includes better health care, better crops and the use of these life forms as raw material for industrial growth.
Biotechnology has emerged as an area of the future in recent years with immense potential to bring about human welfare and prosperity. It touches human existence in all its dimensions.
The children of today are the citizens and in many cases policy makers of tomorrow. It is important to inculcate in them an ethos of responsibility towards bioresources. Starting a program like the DNA Club program that seeks to proactively involve school children into a process that enhances the development of a better understanding of bio-resources and the role biotechnology can play in their sustainable management and utilization is a small but important step in this direction.
Objectives
- To promote interest and knowledge about natural resources and the environment among the emerging generation.
- To foster concern to protect bioresources and natural heritage
- To increase awareness of the economic, cultural, scientific and aesthetic values of flora and fauna.
- To provide opportunities to acquire values and skills needed to protect and improve the natural environment.
- To make aware the impact that emerging technologies (including biotechnology) have on maintenance and enhancement of bioresources.
The Institute of Environment Education and Research, Bharati Vidyapeeth University (BVEER) has been appointed as the Regional Resource Agency for the DNA Club Program by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India for the states of Maharashtra and Goa.
Design of the Program
The program includes the following components:
- Teacher Training Workshops
- School based programs
- Vacation Training Programs
- Support through locale specific material
- Regular monitoring and evaluation
Implementation of the Program
Details of modules conducted in the schools
The DNA Schools
DNA CLUB SCHOOLS - MAHARASHTRA
S. No. |
Name of the school |
Name of the Principal/Headmaster |
Name of the teachers |
1a. |
Abhinav Vidyalay English Medium Primary School |
Mrs. Madhuri Jeurkar |
Nilima Bhandarkar
Mugdha Vinod |
1b. |
Abhinav Vidyalay English Medium High School |
Mrs. Jayashree Pai |
Charu Mathur
Vandana Bhagat |
2. |
Dr. Annasaheb Chobe High School |
Mrs. Helen Anthony |
Nidhi Samant
Nutan Kamble |
3. |
AES Ashokbhau Firodiya English Medium School |
Mr. Nandkishor Bhavsar |
Sailesh
Vaishali Wagh |
4. |
Holy Cross English High School |
Sr. Jenifer Ferrero |
Mukund Phulgirkar
Mahesh Shrisunder |
5. |
Little Flower High School |
Fr. Walter Gonsalves |
Rosemary Fernandes
James |
6. |
St. Lawrence High School |
Ms. Nalini Datta |
Aruna Luthra
Nirmala Dhuria |
7. |
Horizon Academy |
Mrs. Kumudini Bangera |
Kumudini Bangera
Trupti Gite |
8. |
Bhavarilal Samra English High School |
Mr. Mohan Rathi |
Shubhangi Bahad
Tessy George |
9. |
D.A. V. English School |
Mr. Gopal Gawande |
Rashmi Shende
Sunanda Sontakke |
10. |
Khandelwal English School |
Mrs. Geeta Chandawankar |
Geeta Chandawankar
Pradeep Kidile |
11. |
B.V. Kanya Shala |
Dr. (Mrs.) Sindhu Kulkarni |
Shyamala Lokare |
12 |
Dr. D. R. Nagarkar
Prashala |
Mrs. Vaishali Kulkarni |
Mrs. Dange |
13 |
Maharshee Karve Stri Shikshan Santha’s Vidyapeeth High School |
Mr. Bhadakwad |
Shubha Joshi
Mr. Kamble |
14 |
Maharshee Karve Stri Shikshan Santha’s Shishu Vihar |
Mrs. Manda Borane |
Snehal Dikale |
15 |
Maharshee Karve Stri Shikshan Santha’s Erandwane High School |
Mrs. Anuradha Gokhale |
Mrs. Balkawade |
16 |
Maharshee Karve Stri Shikshan Santha’s Erandwane Primary School |
Mrs Kharat |
|
17 |
St.Hilda’s school |
Mrs.Stela David |
Rajlaxmi Naik |
DNA CLUB SCHOOLS – GOA
S. No. |
Name of the school |
Name of the Principal |
Name of the teachers |
1. |
Manovikas English Medium School |
Mrs. Theresa Almeida |
Latha Naik
Juliet |
2. |
Bhatikar Model High School |
Mrs. Revathi Kane |
Aparna Naik
Saluja Suhas |
3. |
A. J. De Almeida High School |
Mrs. Vinaya Mavinkurve
Headmistress
Mrs. Savita D’Costa, Asst. Headmistress |
Sushama Naik
Shital Kesarkar |
4. |
S.S. Samiti’s Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalay |
Mr. G.G. Deo
|
Shrikrishna Desai |
5. |
V.D. and S.V. Wagle High School |
Mr. D.V. Talavnekar |
Girish Nadkarni |
6. |
Sharada Mandir |
Mrs. Nirmala Rebello |
Anagha Mudholkar
Geeta Hosangadi |
7. |
L.D. Samant Memorial High School |
Mr. Rajkumar Desai |
Sarika Gurav |
8. |
Amonkar’s New Goa High School |
Mrs. Mabel deSa |
Mabel deSa
Salita Banaulikar |
9. |
Shri Shraddhanand Vidyalaya |
Mr. Madhukar Shingwi |
Ram Mahale |
10. |
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya |
Mr. R.S. Naik |
Vijay Bhondave
Sanjeet Singh |
Programs conducted
Inauguration of the DNA Club
Students understand the importance of biodiversity
Students attend a lecture on ‘Introduction to Biotechnology’
Students explore the world of planktons
Students participate in games which enhanced their knowledge about birds and insects
Activity conducted during a field visit
Students understand the working of an autoclave
Students attend a lecture on ‘Genetic Traits’ |
