Into the Ocean, theoretically :)
Written by Harsha Jayakrishnan
The last day in the month of August was educative and fun. A visit to National Institute of Oceanography was organized by the placements cell for the kids of Valsalya Bhavan and The Big Boys who stayed back during the Onam Vacation. We (Polly, Jonva, Rebecca, Karthik and I) accompanied the kids to NIO. We reached at 1030 and thus began our short and highle educative guided tour.
Kiran, one of the staff from molecular biology department spoke of DNA to the kids. He showed them various instruments that are used to detect DNA that could be helpful for the scientists who provide assistance in crime investigations(DNA testing); the instruments also find use in naming bacteria found in different samples by isolating them.
The kids then proceeded to chemistry lab. They saw pH meters,titration kits etc.It was hard for the kids to follow certain chemical terms but still managed to grasp as much as they could.
There was a biology lab in the institute. This was the section that the kids thoroughly enjoyed. Samples of different sea plants/animals were shown to them. They also saw some larvae samples.
In the physics lab,our kids were made aware of how the physical attributes of oceans are understood and studied.They learnt the effect of water currents,tides and waves on marine life.
This was followed by a motivational talk by one of the senior scientists, Mrs.Tressiamma. The rest of the time was spent watching a beautiful pool of fish and clicking snaps near it.
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