90 Students Watch a Play at Prithvi Theater. ‪#‎Educate‬ ‪#‎empower‬ ‪#‎emancipate‬ #Nagriksatta 2012

On September 27, 2012, ninety students from the English Medium went to see a play at Prithvi Theater called "A Special Bond." The play was based on the stories of Ruskin Bond and put on specially for students by Akvarious Productions. With the support of generous donors and good people in the area, we were able to take all the children of the 4th and 5th standards to see the play. The students got to experience what it's like to be in the audience during a high-quality play performance and they had a chance to interact with and ask questions to the cast and crew.

Inside the theater

The cast and crew answered questions on stage after the play.

The students with their teachers.

Enjoying snacks after the show in Prithvi Cafe...

A picture with two of the lead actors...

Ecole Mondiale World School Sci-Fest + Sohail Khan! #Educate #empower #emancipate 2012

On October 25, 2012, the students in the 4th and 5th standard got a chance to visit Ecole Mondiale World School for their Sci-Fest science fair program. The MPS students interacted with Ecole students, asking questions about how certain science experiments worked and learning about what goes into researching a scientific question. They saw various types of experiments and were exposed to hands-on science learning. While at the Sci-Fest, students also ran into actor, producer, and director Sohail Khan, who graciously offered to give the students autographs. The students were, needless to say, overjoyed! We, their teachers, were proud of them for taking initiative, exploring their curiosity, and soaking up their surroundings.

A Teacher's Pride...

On October 19th, a student of ours in the 5th standard, Raj Agarwal, blew us out of the water with his presentation on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Raj, like other 5th standard students, was told to simply prepare a summary on the book and talk about his summary in class. He decided to use his creativity and go above and beyond what was required for this presentation. He not only drew a series of 12 pictures (see below, in order) but also gave an active, engaging presentation on the story (see a short clip of the presentation below). Seeing him take the time and initiative to go above and beyond and seeing his confidence in presenting, my heart swelled with pride. I am so fortunate to be working with such gifted, talented students. I hope that they get everything in life.

This is a video of part of Raj's presentation to the class.

1 - This is Charlie's home.

2 - This is Charlie's family.

3 - This is Wonka's factory.

4 - These are the 5 Golden Ticket winners, and the media across the street, taking photos and videos of them.

5 - These are the 5 Golden Ticket Winners (from left to right: Violet, Veruca, Augustus, Mike, Charlie) and Wonka

6 - These are 4 oompa-loompas singing while Augustus Gloop goes up the pipe.

7 - This is Violet Beauregarde turning into a blueberry (He imagined she would float like a balloon)

8 - This is Veruca Salt getting dragged to the garbage chute by the squirrels in the Nut Room.

9 - This is Mike Teavee being sent by television.

10 - This is Charlie, Grandpa Joe, and Wonka in the glass lift hovering 

above the factory and the 4 children who are leaving.

11 - This is the lift crashing through Charlie's roof (top view)

12 - This is Wonka's factory, which is now Charlie's factory.

Visit to the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR) and St. Xavier's College for Malhar Culture Festival 2012

Ten students, who won an essay competition in the 4th and 5th standards, had the opportunity to go to Colaba to tour the campus of the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR) and to visit St. Xavier's College to watch a dance show which was part of their Malhar Culture Fest. The students learned a lot about Homi Baba and about careers in science. They also saw two of the most beautiful places in all of South Mumbai.

Students visit Thadomal Shahani Engineering College (TSEC) 2012

On October 7, 2012, 25 students from MPS went to Thadomal Shahani Engineering College (TSEC) in Bandra to attend ISAAC 2012. They learned about how robots work, played with robots, and danced with students from TSEC. The students thoroughly enjoyed visiting the campus and learning more about what engineers do.

Learning the Importance of Saving Open Spaces 2012

On July 10, 2012, Ms. Anjali Bose, a trustee with Nagariksatta, took time out to take some students to an open space behind Kaifi Azmi Park in the JVPD area. She shared the importance of saving open spaces with the students and explained how the Gulmohur Area Societies Welfare Group had petitioned and put their foot down against using the garden space near Kaifi Azmi Park for housing developments. The battle was difficult and long; however, the garden was saved. The children learned a lot about environmental protection and advocacy that day. They also had the opportunity to see the impact concerned, active people can have on their communities.

Watching "Gattu" and Meeting Director Rajan Khosa 2012

On August 1, the students of the 4th and 5th Standard in the Marathi and English Mediums had an opportunity to visit PVR Cinemas, Juhu, to see a children's movie named Gattu. While there, they spent some time interacting with film director Rajan Khosa and learned about the work that goes into making a film. The film was about a young boy who dreams big. Students related well to the main character and were overjoyed to learn that the movie was actually inspired by students like them in the Juhu Galli area, an area we serve. A big shout-out to generous donors who supported the cost of tickets and to the Children's Film Society along with Teach for India for arranging a special screening and a visit from Rajan Khosa.

Director Rajan Khosa talking to the kids in the theater.

The kids loved the bucket seats.

The kids pose with Rajan.

Taking a small stretch break during intermission

Students Celebrate Navaratri with a Garba-Raas Program at School

The students of Juhu Gandhigram MPS celebrated Navaratri on Saturday, October 20, 2012 with a garba-raas program at school, specially organized by Nagariksatta for the children. Students from all mediums and all standards came together to dance and prizes were awarded to the best dancers and best-dressed students.