|
On December 25th 2019, GPS celebrated it annual function with lots of excitement with students performances such as dances and songs etc. We also had very accomplished guest speakers such as retired vice chancellor of Agricultural University, Palampur and Retired Government Principal. Over 500 people including students and their parents participated in the event.  On March 11 2019, Miss Esha Sharma, a 11th grade student of The Hill School PA, USA visited GPS3/16/2019 On March 11 2019, Miss Esha Sharma, a 11th grade student of The Hill School Pottstown, PA visited The GPS along with her mother Ranjana Sharma to share STEM and Robotics program of her The Hill school with the students and teachers of Gayatri Public School (www.GayatriPublicSchool.org. This was a wonderful learning experience for students and teachers of Gayatri Public School and every one was very much appreciative of Esha Sharma for reaching our to Gayatri Public School India.
On December 28, 2018, a team of 4 Villanova University engineering students visited Gayatri Public School in Himachal Pradesh, India. The team, comprised of Lauren Carroll (Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering), Annette Ciecierega (Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering), Charlotte Smith (Junior, Chemical Engineering), and Amanda Findlay (Graduate Student, Sustainable Engineering), had been preparing for this day since late August. They worked over the course of the Fall 2018 semester to brainstorm and add activities to a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) manual previously implemented by Villanova Engineering students at Gayatri Public School.  The team traveling this winter conducted 1. STEM activities with students to grow interest in and encourage students (especially girls) to pursue STEM careers. The STEM activities conducted and concepts presented covered a variety of topics from accuracy, precision, and catapults to the scientific method and an egg drop to air resistance and parachutes. The students (from Villanova and GPS) also had the opportunity to tour the local water treatment and distribution facility, as well as the Shanan Power House, a local hydro electric project.  2. A teacher training workshop to encourage teachers to practice and improve their English speaking and writing skills. The teacher training workshop was a success and while the teachers learned a bit about Microsoft Excel, the Villanova students learned about the key characteristics that make teachers great: patience, positivity, and encouragement. While the Villanova students traveled many miles to the Gayatri Public School to teach and conduct STEM activities, they left having learned about a beautiful and rich culture, about what it means to be a teacher, and more about themselves. Returning to the United States, the team’s suitcases seemed lighter because as promised, a piece of their hearts remained behind at the foot of the Himalayas.   Partnership with Villanova UniversityThe partnership between the Villanova College of Engineering, specifically the Villanova Engineering Service Learning program, and the Gayatri Public School via the Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation has been in effect since 2012. Since 2012, many teams of Villanova Engineering students have experienced the beauty and hospitable nature of Himachal Pradesh. This post was written by Amanda Findlay, a graduate student at Villanova University in Sustainable Engineering and member of the team who visited GPS in Dec. '18 - Jan. '19, and Poonam Sharma, a cell therapy scientist and director of Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation.
During this visit Suman Sharma gave the GPS Merit Scholarship Test to all students of Gayatri Public School. For the year 2018-19, Twenty Eight (28) students were awarded merit scholarships and offered two sponsorship to orphan students.
Also organized the sixth GPS Marathon. .on the last Sunday of September. Around 500 students from near and far schools and colleges participated in this event. Every participant received a high quality GPS Marathon T-Shirt and a participation certificate. This was a great event and gradually more and more people are participating in this annual marathon. Theme of this is: : United we run for Health and Prosperity - A Building Block for Better Future. Donna Schweibert, one of the board member of Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation, had organized a celebration party for the 75th Birthday of her friend Aubrey McWatt on 18th 0f August 2018 She chose to include Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation (HHCF) as part of the birthday festivities. Donna requested the guests to donate to HHCF in place of a gift to Mr Aubrey for his 75th birthday. She also invited me (Hans Sharma) to speak for few minutes at the birthday function. Over $800 were raised and will go towards a Merit Scholarships for students at Gayatri Public School in a remote village in the foot hills of Himalayan mountain region in India. Gayatri Public School students and teachers will be grateful to Donna and Aubrey for their generosity. Website of Gayatri Public School is www.GayatriPublicSchool.org. Young mind is a terrible thing to waste.
|
Archives
December 2020
Categories |
RSS Feed
