ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2022- 2023

“Science may set limits to knowledge,

but should not set limits to imagination.”

- Bertrand Russell

Coming back to school after 2 long years seemed like an overwhelming task, a daunting piece of work to get back into the hectic routine of studying, exams, co – curricular activities and much more. However, nobody told us about the immense fun we were going to have on this journey. Many new clubs, teams and associations were formed this year, and one of them was The Bishop’s School Kalyani Nagar’s first STEM Club.

What started on a piece of paper as a proposal drafted by President Dev Gala and Vice President Shagnik Dasgupta, it soon turned into a Club most loved by our juniors. An extensive process of selecting members for the Club was carried out, which included both Science and Commerce students, because as STEM Club believes, “Science and Business go hand in hand.” The Club comprises of departments including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Technology.

The Club aims to make students see Science as something more than just an academic subject and expose them to the various branches of science which might interest them. The first session of the Club was on the topic of Gravity which was enjoyed by one and all, even those who do not put physics on their list of favourite subjects or Einstein on their list of favourite people!

One of the Club’s major achievements this year was their outreach program, aimed at helping underprivileged sections of the society, mostly children. The team conducted a donation drive to donate items like a wheelchair, diapers, and baby formula to an orphanage named Arun Aashray, which houses young orphaned babies and children. The team also made visits to the orphanage to interact with the children, and enjoyed every second of it. The donation drive was a huge success as we collected a large amount to use for a good cause.

The second and third sessions of the STEM Club were about Machine Learning and Neuroscience respectively. Both these topics, which have become quite popular in the science world in the past few years really struck a chord with our students, who are passionate about subjects involving Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health.

The greatest learning experience that students received was that Science is more than just a textbook, more than just an exam and more than just grades. Science exists in your room, your food and your body. You are Science! As Isaac Newton puts it, “What we know is a drop, what we do not know is an Ocean.”

Not only were the students shown multiple career path options, they were also taught that you can love science irrespective of wanting to choose it as a profession.

We would like to sincerely thank our Principal, Mr Shayne McPherson, for spearheading all projects of the STEM Club.

Mr. McPherson says, “I am very happy that our students are leaving this institution and going out into the world after having attained such deep knowledge about the science subjects. It makes me proud to know that our students will continue pursuing such productive ventures as they move forward in life. I hope the mentors of the Club will come back to mentor, support their juniors to help the Club reach greater heights. STEM Education is instrumental and is now a part of the National Education Policy of India and must be introduced and encouraged all over the country. I am happy that the STEM Club members have promoted this in our school and I am sure the Club will continue to be successful. I wish you all the best.”

We would like to appreciate Mr. Shayne McPherson for all the advice and assistance we received from him throughout the year.

All STEM Club affairs would remain incomplete without the support of our Headmaster, Mr. Ashley Eates.

Mr. Eates says,” Our students were in a pioneer year where they started off with a lot of innovative schemes, while balancing their studies and other co- curricular activities. STEM Club was a brilliant idea because it gives the future a lot to look forward to. It is very important that young minds get the opportunities to participate and explore the whole science and technology sector, and this club was one such amazing opportunity. The outreach program was especially a very compassionate act. Any outreach program, no matter how small or big, will always be fulfilling. The key thing to remember during any charitable programme is to know who the beneficiary is. I am proud of our children and I hope to witness the STEM Club’s continued success over the coming years. This school will always be a home to our students and we hope they never forget where they belong.”

STEM Club would not have been possible without our teachers and mentors, Mr. Ganesh Pawar and Mrs. Doris Noronha, who understood our love for science and encouraged us to pursue it like a mission, without any fears or doubts. They instilled in us in the confidence we needed to make this Club a success.

Mrs Noronha describes her experience of guiding us as, “a one- of-a kind experience and a milestone. The organizational skills of each member were spectacularly good. Each student was given due chance to voice their opinion. The club has branched out and evolved to be very beautiful and has maintained its individuality throughout the year. All activities undertaken by the club were truly profound and fulfilling, for both students and teachers alike."

We express our deep gratitude to them. We would like to thank the Laboratory Staff, who work behind the scenes and ensure that the machinery of the Science Labs function flawlessly. We would like to always thank our families for their unconditional support.

Finally, we would like to thank the Almighty for showering us with innumerable blessings. We thank our Lord and Savior for all the benevolence He bestows on us, as a School, and as a family! The work of our hands is dedicated to His glory!

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality,

It is a profound source of spirituality.”

- Carl Sagan