CATHOLICATE COLLEGE

SPIE STUDENT CHAPTER

ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16

CATHOLICATE COLLEGE PATHANAMTHITTA KERALA 689645

Ph: 0468 – 2328008 Fax: 0468 – 2325223 Website: www.catholicatecollege.com

Catholicate College Student Chapter

2015-16 Chapter Officers Advisor: George Thomas Co-advisor: Asitha C Nair Executive Members

President: Lincy Thomas (lincytjohnv@gmail.com)

Vice President: Jobin Rajan (jobinrajan23@gmail.com)

Secretary: Ayida Aju (ajupt19@gmail.com)

Treasurer: Bismi Badherdheen (bismi7861@gmail.cm)

Members

Afina A. Vishnu Kumar Sudha Surendran

Joselyn Abraham Ann Lizbathu Jathin Thampi

Neekha Abraham Sreeja M. K. Bensy Thomas

Ayida Aju Alisha Manoj Lincy Thomas

Amalu Hanna Alex Malavika Manoj Susmi Thomas

Bettina Babu Revathy Mohan Teena Thomas

Bismi Badherdheen Anjana Nair Vipin V.

Keerthana C. S. Arya Namboothiri Mariam Varghese

Aswini Chandran Risa Philip Suja Varghese

Linsa Cherian Sreelakshmi Pillai Susan Varghese

Daine David Haritha R. Akhil VJ

Stephy George Resma R. Jesty Samson

Dhanya J. Robin Raj Arya Sarma

Greeshma John Jobin Rajan Deepthi Krishnan

Jisha John Vani Rajan Sarath Kumar

Robina Joseph Aravind Raju Arya Krishna B.

Amrutha Krishna Kavya Remesh Sunila S.

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES IN A NUTSHELL Career guidance and personality development

Visiting lecture seminar

Exhibitions and demonstrative classes

Optics to School-An outreach activity of the chapter

Monthly research seminar

Placement assistance cell

Guidance for research project

ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON “FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS” (16TH OCTOBER 2015)

The workshop, “Fundamental concepts of Physics”, aims to provide a snapshot on the

very basics of Physics which govern the underlying dynamics of all natural phenomena.

Physics, as one of the fundamental sciences, is concerned with the observation,

understanding and prediction of natural phenomena and the behavior of man-made

systems. It deals with profound questions about the nature of the universe and with

some of the most important practical, environmental and technological issues of our

time. The scope of Physics is broad and encompasses mathematical and theoretical

investigation, experimental observation, computing technique, technological

application, material manipulation and information processing. Physics seeks simple

explanations of physical phenomena based on universal principles stated in concise and

powerful language of mathematics. The workshop was attended by 70 participants.

Participants included students, Research Scholar, Faculty members and Technical staff

of different department of Catholicate college.

A TWO DAY SEMINAR ON THE TOPIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DRIVEN INNOVATIONS (25TH-26TH FEBRUARY 2016)

PG and Research Department of Physics, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta

celebrated National Science day which was sponsored by KSCSTE (Kerala state council

for science, technology and environment) and SPIE (International society for optics and

photonics ) bellingham, washington, USA on 25th&26th February 2016. In connection

with these celebrations department of physics organized a two day seminar on the topic

“science and technology, driven innovations”. Dr. George Varghese Koppara, former

principal of the college presided the inaugural session of the science day celebrations on

25th February at College auditorium. P Radhakrishnan, Rtd. ISRO scientist inaugurated

the function. P Radhakrishnan, Rtd deputy director of liquid propulsion system center,

ISRO, Thiruvanathapuram led the class on the topic Human space exploration. In the

afternoon, Silpa S, Faculty of Amritha Univaersity took a class about virtual lab system

for MSc students.An interschool quiz competition was conducted on 26th February at

Mar Eusebius hall. 18 teams from different schools participated in the quiz competition.

Prof Anoop PD was the Quiz master. It was a knowledge enriched programme.

Students from Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta, Evershine School,

Pathanamthitta, St.marys English medium school, mallassery were won the first, second

and third prize, respectively.Dr.Ninan Sajeeth Philip led an effective and fascinating

class on the topic “large astronomical efforts and its outcome”. He visualized the ideas

of gravity waves which was very informative and curious about students.

NAMMUKU KANDUPIDIKAM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMME WITH SARVA SIKSHA ABHIYAN (SSA) (23RD FEBRUARY 2016)

Department organized an extension programme “NAMMUKU

KANDUPIDIKAM” as part of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan launched by government of

Kerala on 23rd February 2016 from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm . It aims to enthuse school

students to conduct experiments by arousing their curiosity. The programme began

with a formal inaugural session which was presided by Mr. George Thomas, Head of

the department in charge, Physics. Principal Dr. Mathew P Joseph inaugurated the

meeting. It was followed by a practical session for students both in the forenoon and

afternoon. A total of forty students of three schools took part in the programme, being

accompanied by a team of teachers from BRC (Block Resource Centre), Pathanamthitta,

Marthoma HSS, Pathanamthitta, SNSVMUPS, Vettipuram and Catholicate HSS,

Pathanamthitta. Jini K Jose coordinated the programme. This lab to land programme is

devoted to promoting creativity and excellence in science with special focus on light

experiments, attracting school students to careers in science, and nurturing their innate

talent.

OPTICS TO SCHOOL (23RD JANUARY 2016 & 6TH FEBRUARY 2016)

Children from nearby schools have the opportunity to participate in lecture cum

demonstration classes in frontier areas of Physics. Children themselves did the basic

experiments in physics and experienced the thrill of physics. This lab to land

programme is devoted to promote creativity and excellence in science with special focus

on optical experiments, attracting school students to careers in science, and nurturing

their innate talent. This programme aims to provide an easy access to resources for

undertaking innovative and inspiring science activities, explore the basic concepts of

light and color designed to give an early exposure to the scientific process and the joys

of discovery. The hallmarks of the extension programme, openness, accessibility and

service, illuminate how cooperative extension brings evidence-based science and

modern technologies to stake holders. Through extension, the department reaches out

to offer their resources to address public needs. The department has full-fledged

laboratories that provide platform to students to investigate and explore interesting

phenomena in the field of optics so as to enable extended individual ‘experiment time’.

Students will get opportunity to handle sophisticated instruments that would help

themselves to familiarize with futuristic technology.

TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATION (5TH SEPTEMBER 2016)

Teachers day was celebrated on 5th September 2016 to to honor teachers for their

sincere efforts to impart knowledge to their students. By having celebrations on

Teacher's Day, we convey the message that we care for our teachers, just as they do.

Celebrating the festival is the recognition of the devotion, with which, teachers

undertake the responsibility of educating a child academically as well as morally.

INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMY DAY CELEBRATION (6TH AND 7TH OCTOBER 2016)

Astronomy allows us to see the history of the universe with our own eyes. The

stars that twinkle as you look out on a dark, clear night may not be existing right now.

They existed at whatever point in history they emitted that light, which has taken

millions of years to reach Earth.

Post graduate and Research Department of Physics in collaboration with

International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) Bellingham USA, celebrated

this marvelous feat on International Astronomy Day by organizing various

scientificprograms. The celebrations included a special video exhibition on “Milestones

in astronomy”at MarPhilexinos Science Theatre on 6th and 7th October 2016. This

provided an opportunity for students and all sky lovers to gather together and share

information and resources in all aspects of astronomy.

Dr.Moncy V John (Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics

(IUCAA) Pune Member and former HoD of Physics, St:Thomas college Kozhencherry)

led a technical session on “New Puzzles In Cosmology” on 7thOctober 2016 in Mar

Eusebius hall.This session provided an effective platform for the young students to

interact with a leading expert in this field.

THE NATIONAL SEMINAR ON VEDIC MATHEMATICS (1st and 2nd of December 2016)

India had a long tradition in Astronomy and Mathematics from 1200 BCE until

the end of the 18th century. During the classical period of Indian mathematics,

important contributions were made by scholars like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta,

Mahāvīra, Bhaskara II, Madhava of Sangamagrama and Nilakantha Somayaji etc.

It is indeed sad that most of our science students are unaware of this rich

tradition. With a view to familiarizing our students with this tradition, the Post

graduate and Reseaerch Department of Physics in collaboration with ‘Ramanuja

Sarani’, Swadeshi Science Congress and International Society for Optics and

Photonics (SPIE) Bellingham, USA, organised the national seminar on Vedic

Mathematics - veda Ganitha, on 1st and 2nd of December 2016. Following is the list of

resource persons who led different sessions in the seminar.

1. Dr. V P N Nampoori :- Emeritus Professor, ISP, CUSAT

2. Dr Venketeswara Pai :- Assistant Professor, IISER, Pune

3. Sri. Devarajan :- Coordinator, Swadeshi Science Movement

4. Sri. Vijayaraghavan :- Vedic Mathematics Expert, Palghat

5. Smt. Sindhu Rani :- Research Scholar, CUSAT

The seminar was comprised of five sessions and had the participation of both

teachers and students from other colleges. The introductory session was led by Dr. V P

N Nampoori. It was followed by the documentary presentation, “sangamagrama

Madhavane Kandethal”, which provided an opportunity for students as well as

teachers to understand the life and works of sangamagrama Madhavan, the pioneer of

Kerala school of Mathematics. Remaining sessions of the seminar were led by the other

resource persons. An interactive session of ten minutes was provided after each

session for clarification of doubts in the topics discussed. In the concluding review

session, a number of participants expressed their genuine view about the conduction of

the seminar and the topics discussed in it.

WEEKLY SEMINAR BY SPIE MEMBERS

Weekly seminars has been conducted by SPIE members on latest technologies and advanced topics in Physics.

PLACEMENT CELL Placement cell of the Dept. assist the student to get placement in various companies.

Coaching classes for aptitude and verbal reasoning were conducted. Preparations for

Interview and Group discussions were also conducted. 7 students got placed in various

internationally reputed companies

UGC ORIENTED CLASSES

Department conducted UGC (India) coaching classes for SPIE members as well as for 1st

and 2nd Post graduate students during 2014-15. Members got admission for M.phill,

Ph.D and M.Tech programmes of various universities of Kerala, India.

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Income : Annual grant from SPIE = $1500 (Rs. 97000/-) Expense Sl.No. Particulars Amount (Rs) Grant Total

(Rs) National Science Day Celebration (25th & 26th January 2016) 1 Publicity and Printing 6605.00

22472.00 2 Travel Expense 3700.00 3 Refreshment 9888.00 4 Organizing expense 2279.00 Optics to School Programme (23rd January 2016 & 6th February 2016) 5 Refreshment for school students 6100.00

16600.00 6 Study materials for school students 4000.00 7 Organizing expense 2800.00 8 Printing and Publicity 3700.00 Teachers Day Celebration (5th September 2016) 9 Printing and other expense 2500.00 5000.00 10 Refreshment for students 2500.00 Astronomy Day Celebration (6th and 7th October 2016) 11 Refreshment for students 1800.00

9762.00 12 Printing of study materials 5200.00 13 Organising Expense 2762.00 National Seminar on Vedic Mathematics (1st&2nd December 2016) 14 Refreshment for students 9339.00

33909.00

15 Printing charge 1795.00 16 Flex printing and flowers 6350.00 17 Travel Expenses 11700.00 18 Photo 1000.00 19 Accomodation 3725.00 Registration Fee 18 Registration fee to attend the national

seminar 3300.00

8591.00 19 Partial payment of SPIE membership for financially poor students

5291.0

TOTAL EXPENSE DURING 2016 Rs. 96,334.00 Balance Amount during 2016 = Rs. 666.00 (~$10)

Upcoming Events during 2017 Members decided to conduct the following activities as part of the Catholicate College

Student Chapter during the year 2017

1. Organizing an awareness camp among students about the energy crisis the world is

facing today.

3. Two day science exhibition ‘SCIENCE EXPO-2017’, an extension programme for school

students. Here children showcase their talents in science and their applications in

different areas related with our everyday life. The Expo aims to conduct an all Kerala

Inter School. Science working & still model competition, Science Exhibition and

Lectures by eminent scientists..

3. Carrier guidance and personality development programme.

4. Lecture on Laser Optics to Know the basic ideas of Laser, enhance their curiosity

towards laser technology and extend upto simple Laser employed equipments

5. An outreach programme -“Optics to school’. SPIE members will visit the nearby

schools and we will demonstrate the basic concepts of Optics.

A seminar on “Plastic waste management” to give awareness about plastic waste

managment

6. SPIE members will demonstrate science experiments and working models in science

exhibitions at various schools. Students from various schools will get opportunities to

practice their creative ability in addition to what they have learnt from class rooms.

7. SPIE members plan to organize one day programme for a selected group of higher

secondarystudents in XI level, on every Second Saturdays at college. Aim of this

programme is to creating general lab awareness and motivation towards the

enthusiastic world of physics among students.

8. Study tour to places of scientific importance.

9. Monthly seminars by SPIE members on latest advancements in optics.

10. SPIE Catholicate College official chapter meetings.