One Day Foldscope Workshop organized at Kendriya Vidyalaya NEPA, Barapani (under DBT Twinning, Ministry of science and technology, Newdelhi).
A one day Foldscope workshop on “Democratizing Science through Foldscope” (under Department of Biotechnology-DBT Funded Project) was jointly organized by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam-793103, Meghalaya and NCCS (National centre for cell science), Sai Trinity, Central Tower, First Floor, Pashan-Sus Road, Pashan, Pune-411021, Maharashtra on last week of January 2019 at Kendriya Vidyalaya NEPA, Barapani, Meghalaya. A total of 48 students from higher secondary classes (9th, 10th and 11th) have participated in the programme. Respected Principal of school Mr. Radha chandan while inaugurating the programme opined that this kind of workshops are important to sensitise the students about new vistas of science during modern times. Dr Krishnappa Scientist (Crop Physiology) while moderating the programme described the uniqueness of newly invented foldscope by Indian scientist Dr Manu Prakash hailed from dept of bio-engineering, Stanford University, USA. He informed that this simple designed tool is driven by smartphone and capable to meet and perform the duties of regular microscope but it has bestowed with ultra-affordability and portability for field applications. Dr. Praveen Rahi, Scientist, NCCS, Pune elucidated the importance of foldscope and its special features and applications. Dr Deshmukh, Scientist (horticulture), ICAR highlighted the importance of linkages and collaborations between schools and advanced scientific labs to educate the young and hungry minds of school students. During the second half of the programme, a demonstration of assembly of foldscope and preparation of slides to be observed under the foldscope was carried out. The programme showed active and enthusiastic participation by the students who were captivated by the fascinating origami of foldscope. Few foldscopes were distributed among interested students for keen observations after the programme. Selected teachers were also participated and amply influenced by the programme. The participated students have been awarded with certificate as a token of appreciation and keen ness for the foldscope microscope
