Newsletter, The Amaatra Academy - March 2013

1. Copyright © The Amaatra Academy 2013
NEWSLETTER
Mar 2013
XI TOPPER
VIII TOPPER
Siddharth Shetty
Samyuktha Prabhu

2. Copyright © The Amaatra Academy 2013
I extend warm wishes to all our parents.
As you are aware, US President Obama has
launched an “Educate to Innovate”
campaign to improve the participation and
performance of America’s students in
science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM). It also addresses
concern that the subjects are often taught in
isolation, instead of as an integrated
curriculum.
One may assume the failure of STEM
education stops at K-12, but the fact is, it
extends all the way up the system, from the
beginning of K-12 education through
bachelor and associate’s degrees to the
Ph.D. level. That obviously means there can
be no single solution to the problem.
To put it simply, not enough students are
studying STEM subjects. This may be owing
to a lack of interest, lack of awareness, and
lack of understanding as to what types of
careers are available in the STEM fields. A
lot of that, in turn, traces back to cultural
signals. Pop culture attributes no “cool”
factor to science.
There are other factors at play as well;
including the way STEM is taught. Many
math and science teachers do not have a
background in those subjects, and those
who do, have no problem finding higher-
paying jobs in the private sector. The spread
of standardized tests is also a barrier, given
that it discourages interactive learning,
particularly important for STEM.
The solution starts with students and
parents, who need a better understanding of
what studying and working in STEM fields
actually means. More people who have an
“entrepreneurial mindset” is the need of the
hour - so new types of jobs can be created in
industries--and thus a new demand for
STEM. Private industry also has a crucial
role to play: Partnerships already in place
between employers and schools, especially
community colleges that train and retrain
workers to work in science and engineering
occupations are helping promote STEM.
-Prof Shivananda R Koteshwar
Director, The Amaatra Academy
Editorial from the Director’s desk
“Pop culture a!"butes no “cool ” factor to scienc$ Is
%& one of ' reasons %at not en(gh )udents are

3. Copyright © The Amaatra Academy 2013
Summer program 2013 –
Summer Edge powered
by Science Fuel
The Amaatra Academy's Summer Edge program
held exclusively for our students, gave them a head
start on the subjects' part of IX and XII syllabus.
The students attended guest lectures by subject
matter experts, project activities, had various social
events and regular course work.
The SummerEdge program was powered by the
Science Fuel camp. This program encouraged every
student to obtain conceptual clarity, enjoy the
process of learning thereby leading to becoming
autonomous learners. Science Fuel Camp offered
day-long camps for students in VIII through XI
grade, with courses investigating physics,
chemistry, mathematics, biology, and pure sciences.
A typical day at the camp consisted of 2 parts, the
first half consisted of a guest lecture and theory
class to get them through concepts, while in the
second half the students were engaged in project
activities related to the concepts they learnt during
the day.
Some of guest lectures include:
Abhijit Parkhe, one of the subject matter experts
in the life sciences industry spoke to students about
career options one could pursue in the life sciences
industry. He spoke about some exciting times ahead
in the area of clinical research, collaborative drug
development, need for advanced R&D due to expiry
of block buster drug patent.
Dr. KN Venkateshwara Prasad, elaborated to
students about the opportunities available if the
students decide to pursue medicine as a career
option. Students with these interests enter medical
school, during which a period of time (usually
between the second and third years of medical
school) is spent pursuing a research degree. This
can be in any of a number of scientific areas,
including biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical
engineering, genetics, epidemiology, molecular
biology, neuroscience, and others. So students can
start making the choice on what they want to major
in during the 5year medical course and then pursue
an MD for further specialization
Our staff, Mr. Guru Athani spoke to the students
about Entrepreneurship. How an entrepreneur
develops over different phases and how they morph
into a leader, marketer and finally a shrewd
salesman. The 4 mantras for success he said
students need to follow are– get through the entry
barrier, comply with ethics, perseverance is strength
and timing is key. By balancing challenging
academics with a rich menu of educational and
social activities, students will have a learning
experience that's truly transformative.

4. Copyright © The Amaatra Academy 2013
As a part of “giving back to the community campaign” The
Amaatra Academy partnered with ASDA organized a dance
carnival for the kids and a Zumba workshop for the adults. This
is first of the community activities organized by the school for
this year. The idea behind the “giving back to the community
campaign” is to raise general awareness of your environmental
and cultural activities - throughout the school and into the wider
community - and to make sure that as many people as possible
get a chance to take part.
The dance workshop, with over 500 attendees (which included
over 200 children accompanied by their parents) from the local
community helped educate, inspire and involve people of all
ages by providing opportunities to create and experience quality
dance. The program helped increase awareness, enjoyment, appreciation and participation of dance for the
children. It also helped create a positive performing experience to the kids.
Please watch this space for more “giving back to community campaign” where we will involve the parents,
neighboring community and our school children for more activities.
Community Connect - ASDA DANCE
CARNIVAL
KUDOS! CORNER
Congratulations to all “Amaatraites” for your splendid
performance in your end of term exams. We have had a wonderful
year of growing and learning together with the first batch.
We would like to congratulate all the school toppers in the XI and
VIII grade for their outstanding performance.
We look forward to walking alongside all of our students in the
journey towards their goals. Wish you the very best for your future.
Please feel free to revert to me or staff at The Amaatra
Academy in case of any clarifications or to understand the
progress we are making on the topics discussed.