One of Science Express - Biodiversity Special's Science Communicator (Ebin Abraham) thought of sharing his 'till date journey' with this special train.
In a short manner, he has well tried to share, "What do I do exactly at Science Express?"
Why did you join SEBS?
(We have been asked many times the above question (including self), and in future also we will be answering for same.)
I tried to explain, “I joined the SEBS because I am
having interest in Science; love to upgrade myself with ongoing advances of
Science and technology, I feel that Science Express can be a good platform
where I can directly interact with many at a time. The whole idea of working
with Science Train thrills me”.
Having interest in Science that too with adventurous
soul; couldn’t resist being part of Science Express - biodiversity
special. Needless to clarify what Science Express is all about?
Science Express – Biodiversity Special is travelling
across India to spread and share the richness of Biodiversity. My role at SEBS
is to explain and exchange knowledge whoever come and interested. Personally, I
believe it’s a unique experiment; having conversation with different people
from different region of India (Science Express is planned to travel 52
locations across India). Of course, after all it’s all about biodiversity. Due to my education and few research works on
biodiversity, I am quite knowledgeable of Biodiversity, Climate change and many
other related topics. But SEBS has provided a platform, where I could actually
emerge with my knowledge more profoundly.
So what do I (we) do at Science Express?
The usual role of mine is to be available at assigned
coach, give brief to the visitors about particular region and to make them
aware what all are there at exhibit. Often the discussion goes more in precise, based on individual interest. In case of request for additional
information more than what I (we) can provide, we facilitate with ‘question
slip’.
Apart from this usual process, SEBS does extra
activities like,
Teacher’s training workshops – understanding Mathematics
and Biodiversity concepts more with practical and presentations ,
Hands-on
practical for school students at Joy of Science Lab,
Platform activities – open for all,
Out-reach activity for schools – assigned Science
Communicator will actually visit the school and share the knowledge of
Biodiversity along with various science topics.
Name it, we just do it.
A day at SEBS passes with few good, few unlikely and
sometimes entrancing experience (usually with students). I would like to share
here one of my experience with some teachers during Biodiversity workshop which
we conducted at Jabalpur station. I presented biodiversity facts related with
flora and fauna of Madhya Pradesh region; which falls under two biogeography zone
Semi Arid and Deccan Peninsula region. Nearly 22 teachers participated, and
everyone was almost amazed after knowing the fact that MP is known as the ‘Medical
Hub of India’. Many of them agreed with it, few of them also shared their use
of such plants as medicine in daily life. The discussion was also lead to the
current conservation issues; concentrating more for Madhya Pradesh region.
Such Workshops are our side-activities; but the main
challenge or let me say most lively part of the day is to be available at
assigned coach of Exhibition. Science Express – Biodiversity Special has total
12 coaches, where per coach the Biodiversity of India has been displayed of
different region. Apart of Biodiversity Energy, Petrol and water Conservation
having a dedicated coach and Climate change and Global warming is also depicted
in one coach. Well, so we usually are assigned to different coach and of course
it gets changes frequently. We all, generally share the knowledge of assigned region;
try to guide especially students and teachers. We usually end up meeting at
least one visitor, who left us surprised, amused by his/her genuine curiosity
and quest for science. Of course vise versa events also happens, but when we
recall our experience at end of day; such little stars realizes us worth and
privilege of being Science Communicators.
Once I was assigned to Coach 10, which represents
‘Climate change and Water Conservation’. Due to my own interest frequently I end up
inquiring people what exactly they have learnt from Science Express, or which topic of
SEBS attracted them most? In this process, once it happened to meet one boy
must be nearly 10-12 years, might be studying in 5-6 standard. He said, he
enjoyed most visiting coach 9 which is for ‘Energy and Water conservation’;
where many ideas are shown via models and videos to conserve energy and
water. That boy shared that, he spent
nearly hour to learn/note several ideas of the same. Addition to that, he also
added that he will surely follow the footsteps which can reduce the carbon.
(Science Express is having one vote model which shows what/how an individual
can contribute by different methods). I was thrilled experiencing such maturity
and enthusiasm of young student towards climate awareness. Apart from this; he
also talked about the other exhibits of SEBS which attracted him. Experiences of meetings such students and
other visitors have became routine with this journey.
Along with this routine, we have to move from one
station to another on an average of 3rd or 4th day. Few
of our team members used to manage the logistics stuff for us. I have joined
SEBS first time, but always have witness that; the previous phase Science
Communicators used to join us whenever it is possible and they do help us in
our daily activity and our lodging stuff too.
Most of us shares common hobbies like photography,
travelling and of course discussion on any topic. Whenever time permits, we
planned to visit possibly near place of our stay, we prefer to visit historical
places, zoo or museum of so and so location. Few of my colleague loves
photography, few of them like to talk about history/tale stories of such places
(they actually go and dig the history; how?), few of them be our background
entertainer with their gifted voice and few be chorus. Few of like me like prefer just to be commenter or witness of it. It’s actually being difficult for
me to put all in short, where each day is new experience. We have experienced
till date bunch of many things like over crowd, violence and aggression,
appreciation and thanks giving, criticism and advices; political personality to
general personality, we receive different response and reactions. Some are
disappointing and few are boost to us. We tend to be neutral, of course.
We do have our events and celebration as and when time
permits. Recently we cut the cake for SEBS’ 5th birthday on 30th
October, 2012. I would like to share the
event we participated at Hyderabad. Being part of SEBS project and also being
main representative of SEBS as Science Communicator, we were invited to COP 11
event (Conference Of Parties 11 was the 11th
conference organized in between 180 countries’ experts for preserving
Biodiversity); which was organized at Hyderabad. Each of us got a chance to
attend at least one seminar. First time in my life, I experienced the world
level conference. I along with my other colleague attended session of SEBS with
documentary presentation tagged as “Tiger In the train”. My other colleague
attended ‘Developmental Process and progress of Agriculture activity in ruler
areas’.
We got to know latter on that, many more other sessions were conducted;
focused on challenges of climate change, environment effects on Biodiversity,
extinct species and their threats etc. Many delegates of COP visited SEBS next day;
we interacted with few of them. We came to know about ideas, views related with
their on-going efforts and work of biodiversity and wild life projects. I certainly
remember one of delegates, who actually contributed in design of SEBS content
and design. She shared with us that; she clicked few of photographs which are
shown in SEBS exhibition coach for ‘North – East India' , along with the team
Wile life Institute of India (WII). The chat continued till few more minutes,
and there I was still trying to convinced self ‘the small world’ theory. My
mind was yet to relieve of recent incident, and called by few students “Sir,
could you help us to understand what this model is all about?”, and there I am;
evolving in another diversity day at science express.
- Ebin Abraham
(Ebin is one of the Science Communicator of SEBS team, who describe travelling as his main hobby. With is calm and friendly nature he can easily mingle with anyone especially with children.
He consider Science Express journey as his finest experience till date.
" I have studied Biodiversity and many other topics; but Science Express has provided me a platform to understand it profoundly".)
