Agastya News!
Check here for the latest news and important announcements!
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Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited Sponsors Mobile Science Lab
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited Sponsors Mobile Science Lab
Agastya’s role is to complement the existing state primary and secondary education school system to upgrade its quality.
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Agastya International: A Success Story for Scaling and Replicating a Social Enterprise
Give2Asia recently sat down with Agastya founder, Ramji Ragahavan, for an interview. Give2Asia, a US 501(c)3 public charity, promotes and inspires philanthropy by delivering services that meet the needs of donors and the Asian communities they care about. Click for the interview!
Agastya International: A Success Story for Scaling and Replicating a Social Enterprise
Give2Asia recently sat down with Agastya founder, Ramji Ragahavan, for an interview. Give2Asia, a US 501(c)3 public charity, promotes and inspires philanthropy by delivering services that meet the needs of donors and the Asian communities they care about. Click for the interview!
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State Bank of India donates Mobile Science Lab to Agastya!
State Bank of India donates Mobile Science Lab to Agastya!
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Agastya Foundation & the Hewlett-Packard Catalyst Initiative
Agastya Foundation is collaborating with Hewlett-Packard on a new program called the HP Catalyst Initiative. Click for more. . .
Agastya Foundation & the Hewlett-Packard Catalyst Initiative
Agastya Foundation is collaborating with Hewlett-Packard on a new program called the HP Catalyst Initiative. Click for more. . .
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Trustee Sri. K V Raghavan Passes Away
June 13, 2010
Trustee Sri. K V Raghavan passed away today in Bangalore, India. He was the father of Ramji Raghavan, Chairman of Agastya Foundation. Sri. K V Raghavan was instrumental in guiding and helping Agastya from its inception to its growth in the recent years. Click for more. . .
Trustee Sri. K V Raghavan Passes Away
June 13, 2010
Trustee Sri. K V Raghavan passed away today in Bangalore, India. He was the father of Ramji Raghavan, Chairman of Agastya Foundation. Sri. K V Raghavan was instrumental in guiding and helping Agastya from its inception to its growth in the recent years. Click for more. . .
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Case Study - Dropout Student
June 5, 2010
Read about Agastya Foundation's efforts to mainstream dropout students and one recent case study from Agastya's Kodathanapalli dropout centre.
Case Study - Dropout Student
June 5, 2010
Read about Agastya Foundation's efforts to mainstream dropout students and one recent case study from Agastya's Kodathanapalli dropout centre.
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Ramji Raghavan Visits China at the invitation of Ashoka & Jet Li One Foundation
May 5, 2010
Ramji Raghavan discusses ‘the story of Agastya Foundation’ with students, current and prospective social entrepreneurs, business people, journalists and others at the eight venues in China. Click for more. . . (PDF 65KB)
Ramji Raghavan Visits China at the invitation of Ashoka & Jet Li One Foundation
May 5, 2010
Ramji Raghavan discusses ‘the story of Agastya Foundation’ with students, current and prospective social entrepreneurs, business people, journalists and others at the eight venues in China. Click for more. . . (PDF 65KB)
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Representatives from the Institute of Engineers Visit Campus
April 28, 2010
Representatives from the Institute of Engineers Visit Campus
April 28, 2010
Here they are seen in the Discovery Center planning a practical curriculum.
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Agastya Annual Meet 2010
April 17, 2010
Agastya Annual Meet 2010
April 17, 2010
Click here for a panaromic group photograph of Agastya instructors and staff.
(Click to zoom after window opens).
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Support Agastya at Sunfeast W10K 2010
April 10, 2010
The Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore 2010 is one of the world's most prestigious 10km runs. This event is a wonderful opportunityfor you to do your bit for charity. The event symbolizes community spirit and melts all barriers. Bangalore cares is the official charity partner to this event. Run for an NGO as a Care Participant or Donate to an NGO! Click for details!
Support Agastya at Sunfeast W10K 2010
April 10, 2010
The Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore 2010 is one of the world's most prestigious 10km runs. This event is a wonderful opportunityfor you to do your bit for charity. The event symbolizes community spirit and melts all barriers. Bangalore cares is the official charity partner to this event. Run for an NGO as a Care Participant or Donate to an NGO! Click for details!
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Bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan at IITM, Chennai. India.
April 1, 2010
Bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan at IITM, Chennai. India.
April 1, 2010
The event was presided over by Prof. M.S. Ananth, Director of IIT, Madras and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of MSSR Foundation unveiled the statue. Mr. Ramji Raghavan, Chairman of Agastya Foundation gave a special address.
Mr. Raghavan also announced a competition for IITM students to create low cost science experiments to add to the ones the Agastya Foundation uses to educate children in rural India with their mobile vans. This competition is sponsored and supported by the MurthyNayak Foundation, Baltimore, USA.
Click here for a brief article 'Celebrating a Genius' by Ramji Raghavan.
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Agastya Foundation & Institute of Engineers (Karnataka State Centre) Q & A Session
March 9, 2010
Agastya jointly with Institute of Engineers (Karnataka State Centre), Bangalore conducted a Q & A Session lead by Dr. T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India on March 9, 2010.
Agastya Foundation & Institute of Engineers (Karnataka State Centre) Q & A Session
March 9, 2010
Agastya jointly with Institute of Engineers (Karnataka State Centre), Bangalore conducted a Q & A Session lead by Dr. T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India on March 9, 2010.
During this session Dr. T Ramasami gave wonderful insights into how education has really evolved from its inception thousands of years ago to date. He talked about the difference between deductive and inductive logic, and how the combination of the two could help create new ways of thinking and learning. It was indeed a very interactive Q&A session which had Agastya staff, private and public school students, teachers and NGOs participating. In the form of a travelogue, his lucid presentation kept the audience glued to their seats.
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Bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan at Cambridge, UK
February 24, 2010
A bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan, gifted by Agastya Foundation to Cambridge University is now on display at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge. All at Agastya are delighted that the memory of an Indian hero, who astonished and inspired so many with his genius, has found a prominent place at his alma mater. A replica of the Ramanujan bust designed by Agastya Foundation can be seen at TIFR - Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore. Ramanujan (22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920) was an Indian mathematician and self taught genius who, with almost no formal training in pure mathematics, made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series and continued fractions. Click for more on Wikipedia.
Click here for a brief article 'Celebrating a Genius' by Ramji Raghavan.
Bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan at Cambridge, UK
February 24, 2010
A bust of Srinivasa Ramanujan, gifted by Agastya Foundation to Cambridge University is now on display at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge. All at Agastya are delighted that the memory of an Indian hero, who astonished and inspired so many with his genius, has found a prominent place at his alma mater. A replica of the Ramanujan bust designed by Agastya Foundation can be seen at TIFR - Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore. Ramanujan (22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920) was an Indian mathematician and self taught genius who, with almost no formal training in pure mathematics, made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series and continued fractions. Click for more on Wikipedia.
Click here for a brief article 'Celebrating a Genius' by Ramji Raghavan.
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IRIS 2009 Awards!
February 23, 2010
IRIS National Science fair was conducted at Ahmedabad from 25th to 28th, November, 09. IRIS – Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science is India’s largest research based science fair initiative for students. Out of 82 projects, the Agastya students won 8 National awards, 6 Subject category awards and 12 won Special awards. Click here for the complete report.
IRIS 2009 Awards!
February 23, 2010
IRIS National Science fair was conducted at Ahmedabad from 25th to 28th, November, 09. IRIS – Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science is India’s largest research based science fair initiative for students. Out of 82 projects, the Agastya students won 8 National awards, 6 Subject category awards and 12 won Special awards. Click here for the complete report.
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An Indian Yatra (Journey)
February 10, 2010
From Mumbai’s Dharavi to the Himalayas, Agastya Mobile Labs engage 55,000 children and teachers in the joy of hands-on learning!
Traveling over 6200 KMs in six weeks (November – December, 2009) Agastya Mobile Labs created a wave of enthusiasm for hands-on science in science fairs by engaging 49000 children and 6000 teachers and adults from five Indian states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi and Rajasthan. Visitors to the fairs included the media, the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Minister of Science & Technology, Chief Secretary and other officials from the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Click here for a picture album!
An Indian Yatra (Journey)
February 10, 2010
From Mumbai’s Dharavi to the Himalayas, Agastya Mobile Labs engage 55,000 children and teachers in the joy of hands-on learning!
Traveling over 6200 KMs in six weeks (November – December, 2009) Agastya Mobile Labs created a wave of enthusiasm for hands-on science in science fairs by engaging 49000 children and 6000 teachers and adults from five Indian states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi and Rajasthan. Visitors to the fairs included the media, the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Minister of Science & Technology, Chief Secretary and other officials from the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Click here for a picture album!
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MIT & Low Cost Experiments
January 13, 2010
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA is organizing a competition for its undergrad students to design 10 low cost experiments/models for Agastya. Winners get a free trip to India!
The experiments must be low cost, lightweight, durable, dust resistant and easily fixable. The focus should be on scientific principles customizable by the teacher and students and should be activity orientated – not just for observation. Preferred not to require power for mobile science experiments and experiment cannot last longer than 3-4 hours. The entries will be judged on completeness, ease of understanding, replication & scalability.
MIT & Low Cost Experiments
January 13, 2010
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA is organizing a competition for its undergrad students to design 10 low cost experiments/models for Agastya. Winners get a free trip to India!
The experiments must be low cost, lightweight, durable, dust resistant and easily fixable. The focus should be on scientific principles customizable by the teacher and students and should be activity orientated – not just for observation. Preferred not to require power for mobile science experiments and experiment cannot last longer than 3-4 hours. The entries will be judged on completeness, ease of understanding, replication & scalability.
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Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009 Visits Agastya Campus!
December 31, 2009
Tata Jagriti Yatra is an annual train journey that takes hundreds of India's highly motivated youth (and international students) between 20 - 25 and experienced professionals on an eighteen day national odyssey. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship - both social and economic - within India's youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India's challenges. Agastya was among 11 such ventures selected to host these youngsters.
Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009 Visits Agastya Campus!
December 31, 2009
Tata Jagriti Yatra is an annual train journey that takes hundreds of India's highly motivated youth (and international students) between 20 - 25 and experienced professionals on an eighteen day national odyssey. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship - both social and economic - within India's youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India's challenges. Agastya was among 11 such ventures selected to host these youngsters.
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Agastya students win prizes at the 2009 IRIS-Intel National Science Fair
November 26-28, 2009
The Agastya prize winners are:
Team 1: Ms. Supriya and Ms. Dharani of Grade 8 for their project " The Best Oil for Lamp" (Medal + Certificate)
Team 2: Hari Krishna and Murali Krishna of Grade 9 for their project "Conservation of Energy Through Dry Leaf pads (Special Mention Award)
Agastya students win prizes at the 2009 IRIS-Intel National Science Fair
November 26-28, 2009
The Agastya prize winners are:
Team 1: Ms. Supriya and Ms. Dharani of Grade 8 for their project " The Best Oil for Lamp" (Medal + Certificate)
Team 2: Hari Krishna and Murali Krishna of Grade 9 for their project "Conservation of Energy Through Dry Leaf pads (Special Mention Award)
- 82 teams selected from 1200 contestants across India competed in the finals.
- 5 Agastya teams (among 6 from Andhra Pradesh) competed in the finals.
- 26 teams and 10 students across India won prizes.
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MOU with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Karnataka: Agastya has signed an MOU with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Karnataka to launch another 15 mobile labs and 13 science centers. SSA will underwrite the operating cost of the program. Agastya's coverage will increase to 24 educational districts (out of a total of 33) and its target audience will increase to nearly 9 million children in Karnataka. Number of mobile labs and science centers across Agastya will increase to 49 and 28. - Posted Nov 19, 2009
MOU with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Karnataka: Agastya has signed an MOU with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Karnataka to launch another 15 mobile labs and 13 science centers. SSA will underwrite the operating cost of the program. Agastya's coverage will increase to 24 educational districts (out of a total of 33) and its target audience will increase to nearly 9 million children in Karnataka. Number of mobile labs and science centers across Agastya will increase to 49 and 28. - Posted Nov 19, 2009
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Intel-IRIS National Science Competition in Ahmedabad: Ten rural children (5 teams) from Agastya have entered the final round of the Intel-IRIS National Science Competition in Ahmedabad. 82 teams were selected from 1000 project team submissions across India - ranking Agastya among the highest for number of finalists from a single institution, and for being one of few rural institutions to qualify. In 2008, two Agastya teams qualified for the final round in Kolkata and one team, led by Ms Rani and Ms Roja, won the Special Award. Posted Nov 08, 2009
Intel-IRIS National Science Competition in Ahmedabad: Ten rural children (5 teams) from Agastya have entered the final round of the Intel-IRIS National Science Competition in Ahmedabad. 82 teams were selected from 1000 project team submissions across India - ranking Agastya among the highest for number of finalists from a single institution, and for being one of few rural institutions to qualify. In 2008, two Agastya teams qualified for the final round in Kolkata and one team, led by Ms Rani and Ms Roja, won the Special Award. Posted Nov 08, 2009
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Former President Abdul Kalam visited the Agastya Mobile Lab on October 12, 2009 at the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad. Dr. Kalam interacted with staff and children and remarked on the growth in the number and range of Mobile Lab science experiments, since his last visit to the Mobile Lab in 2006. He signed a map of the Agastya campus. Dr. Kalam's visit was followed by an Agastya science fair for 2500 children near the Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad.
Our thanks to Prof. Anil Gupta of IIM-A for organizing the Mobile Lab visit to Ahmedabad.
Former President Abdul Kalam visited the Agastya Mobile Lab on October 12, 2009 at the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad. Dr. Kalam interacted with staff and children and remarked on the growth in the number and range of Mobile Lab science experiments, since his last visit to the Mobile Lab in 2006. He signed a map of the Agastya campus. Dr. Kalam's visit was followed by an Agastya science fair for 2500 children near the Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad.
Our thanks to Prof. Anil Gupta of IIM-A for organizing the Mobile Lab visit to Ahmedabad.
PHOTOS: Above left - manju explains a model. Above right - Ranganathan describes the campus.
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Two significant government initiatives we are delighted to note:
1. The Government of Karnataka has decided to expand Agastya's proven model in 9 districts to the remaining 20 districts, a decision whose benefits will reach an additional 3 million children. Several organisations have come forward to participate in the expansion (see attached article in The Hindu).
2. The Tamil Nadu Government has launched 17 mobile science labs, the benefits of which should reach several million children in Tamil Nadu.
To meet different needs, Agastya is enhancing its mobile science concept: a) Under a Karnataka Science and Technology Academy-sponsored program Agastya will be providing its 'Lab-in-a-Box' to schools that have been visited by the Agastya Mobile Lab and b) Agastya has launched an 'Autorickshaw Mobile Lab'.
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1. The Government of Karnataka has decided to expand Agastya's proven model in 9 districts to the remaining 20 districts, a decision whose benefits will reach an additional 3 million children. Several organisations have come forward to participate in the expansion (see attached article in The Hindu).
2. The Tamil Nadu Government has launched 17 mobile science labs, the benefits of which should reach several million children in Tamil Nadu.
To meet different needs, Agastya is enhancing its mobile science concept: a) Under a Karnataka Science and Technology Academy-sponsored program Agastya will be providing its 'Lab-in-a-Box' to schools that have been visited by the Agastya Mobile Lab and b) Agastya has launched an 'Autorickshaw Mobile Lab'.
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Friends of Agastya met on March 13, 2009 at Synopsys. Pictures (PowerPoint) and a description (Word) of the event are available by clicking.
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Two Agastya Young Instructor Leaders were among only 24 students to win this prestigious INTEL-IRIS National Science Award, while competing with a 1000 projects from across India.
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Agastya Chairman, Ramji Raghavan has been elected a Senior Fellow by Ashoka: Innovators for the Public (www.ashoka.org). Based in Washington, DC, Ashoka recognizes individuals every year, who have already created widespread impact, for their innovative, system changing solutions to society’s most urgent problems.
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