Service Learning Science Camps Among Tribals as a Tool for Capacity Building Among Students-A Step Toward Inclusive Chemistry Education

The tribal communities in South India, especially those in the Wayanad region in the proximity of Kerala state, havelow literacy rates and occupy a socio-culturally marginalized statusamong various demographic clusters in India. The pedagogiesemployed through mainstream schooling do not appeal to thestudents in the tribal community, resulting in high dropout rates.Therefore, Madras Christian College, Chennai, has identified tribalcommunities as an underrepresented group in Indian scienceeducation proposing to engage them throughService Learning Science Camps. Herein we document our activities as formativeassessment through teaching chemistry to tribal school children and consolidate the experiences gained by both the studentvolunteers and tribal students for prospective research. The program enabled the student mentors to explore their leadership skillswhile administering the science camps. In addition to this, the camps created a pleasurable environment for learning chemistry forthe tribal children and increased their inclination toward science. This exercise helps students to change their perception towardtribals and bridge the gap between them by providing a welcoming and supportive environment for pleasurable learning. We proposethese camps as a model to reach out and popularize chemistry among the overlooked communities, simultaneously nurturing the minds of college students toward creating an inclusive future

Automated summary

This article explores the educational challenges faced by tribal communities in South India and proposes the use of science camps to engage and educate tribal students, bridging the gap between them and mainstream education. The program not only benefits tribal students but also provides an opportunity for student mentors to develop leadership skills.