Dr Chanpa Singh, Gorakhpur

CATEGORY- HT Ideator/Eureka Champ

Kabaad Se Jugaad’ (innovation from trash), ‘Jaadui Vigyaan’ (magical science) and ‘Khel Khel mein Siksha’ (learning while playing) are some of the magic ingredients that Dr Champa Singh pours into education at the Junior High School, Jungal Kauria, Gorakhpur. You can find a class full of curious children playing with material created by her from trash like plastic bottles, balloons, ropes and disposable cups. She has been recognised for her efforts towards zero cost innovation in education. She teaches the concepts of sound by using a telephone made of two paper cups and a string. She helps students make their own working model of lungs using straw pipes and balloons. Using magical science concepts, she reveals to students how most magic tricks that used to fool them are just tricks of science. She teaches chemistry as she squeezes blood coloured liquid out of lemons. The realisation that it only takes a 5th standard science student and not a mystic magician to perform these tricks helps the community shatter some of their superstitions. Often, you can see one of her students involved in making model of a plane or a propeller boat using rubber bands and paper.

Under her guidance, her students have won several awards and scholarships at district and state level and have been recognised for projects created around renewable energy, water conservation and climate change. Her dedication towards a better-educated future shows in the smallest efforts and practices. A small initiative like telling an interesting inspiring story at every morning assembly has lead to a much higher number of children turning up at school on time.