Announcing the launch of Surround School, a science and technology e-learning portal

Surround School (http://www.surroundschool.com) is a rich interactive e-learning portal that teaches science and technology subjects by illustrating their application in real life. Courses on Aviation (Aeromodelling), Robotics and Graphical Programming have been launched and there are many others in the pipeline.

Studies show that there is a grassroots level of decline in interest in science education and illustrate a shift away from science at the 10 + 2 level and subsequently at the undergraduate level. The development of science and technology in any country remains a key factor in determining its status and power in an open economy, and India cannot afford to be left behind. The Indian economy is booming on its financial and industrial strengths however, we are falling behind in scientific and technological innovation. Even our flagship IT industry is booming more because of a large labour pool with a cost arbitrage rather than technological innovation.

One possible reason for the declining interest is possibly the method of education in our schools that encourages learning by theory rather than practice. Science and technology are not subjects that can be mastered, and neither are they interesting, without hands-on experience. At the same time, the Indian youth are enthusiastic and critical users of technological innovations. The use of high-tech devices such as computers, software, gaming consoles and of course mobile phones is growing by leaps and bounds and so is the use of technology in all aspects of our life – communication, shopping, banking and now socialising.

Surround School is an e-learning platform launched with a vision to rekindle an interest in science and technology amongst our youth. The focus is not on learning the laws, theorems and formulae but on understanding how scientific principles can be applied to real life innovation. To provide the hands-on learning experience, Surround School offers courses on subjects that are popular, fun and yet require a good understanding of science and technology – Aviation (Aeromodelling), Graphical Programming and Robotics.

Surround School follows the Read-Watch-Do-Share cycle of learning through online lessons, videos, assignments, projects, expert panels and a collaboration platform. Surround School does not replace the school curriculum, rather complements it by providing the practical, applied and hands-on flavour to the theory.

Surround School is free for all individuals. At a very nominal cost schools can get a customised version with communities of their students and teachers to discuss ideas and work on projects.

We welcome students and all those interested in science and technology to an exciting journey through this new world of knowledge and learning.