Rekindling interest in science – The Hindu

A small window in my kitchen  offers a close-up view of a mango tree and a coconut tree in the backyard. A mere 15 minutes or so spent gazing at this view  provides a host of science lessons that would keep even the most fidgety child engrossed. 

First, there is the musical chorus of birds, be it the koel, the robin, the mynah, the crow, the hoopoe or the treepie.  Curiosity arises about bird calls, how they communicate, leading to a keen interest to imitate.  

Then, there is the very observant squirrel running up the tree taking chunks off a swaying mango, its sharp teeth making a crunchy noise. The way it clings onto the thin mango stalk is a lesson in balancing skills. 

I can spot the neighbourhood cat silently  stalking its prey up the tree, bringing to life the “predator-prey” concept shown in science textbooks. It is chasing a lizard up the tree,  with the lizard showing off its camouflage skills. 

The ant mound at the bottom of the tree tells me that, like us, ants cannot bear too much heat and are quickly trooping out of the heated earth. I spy hundreds of busy little engineers doing intricate tunnelling work. 

A group of butterflies and tiny sunbirds circling near the bright red hibiscus flowers tells me that nectar is ready to eat and available in plenty too. 

Mr. Crow is busy pecking at a dead frog atop the compound wall showing off its scavenging skill while its mate is busy stealing sticks from a broom for its nest-building exercise. Another crow is busy rubbing its beak on a branch doing a bit of cleaning and polishing. 

The wasps are flying about outside the window, not bothered about the heat because it is nesting time. 

A sudden, loud noise is the squabble between a group of babblers over who gets a bite of the fallen mango. It is a lesson in survival of the fittest. They do have a penchant for cleanliness, spreading their feathers and indulging in a cleaning frenzy with their beaks.

A grasshopper lands on the window mesh showing off its jumping and leaping abilities. The way it moves reminds you of that ‘special adaptations of animals’ chapter in  science books. Their legs are designed to  go the extra mile  to escape from enemies.

I spot something thin and wispy between the branches. Mr. Spider is busy weaving an intricate web that you have been often asked to draw in your exam. 

A trail of wavy, mud tunnels streaking up the trunk of the mango tree has me puzzled. It is those sneaky termites building a home. Soon, they may even take over the tree.

The play of shadows beneath the tree as the sun moves up could be the starting point for a discussion on light and shadows.

A staccato noise pierces the silence. The woodpecker is working on the coconut tree. This feathered carpenter is drilling a tiny hole to nab the insects or worms lurking inside. Its sharp sense of hearing is on display, as it pauses now and then, its head tilted to one side, alert to the slightest noise in the vicinity. 

Looking down from the window, I spot fresh weeds that have sprung up at the bottom of the tree making a picturesque green carpet. A bit of rain does really work its magic on the parched earth.

A tall creeper nearby is swaying  in the wind, its tendrils trying to cling desperately onto a nearby branch for support and missing every time.

Every day brings something new, a live replay of a science-related concept that makes it easier to understand and remember. Involving kids in growing and nurturing a few plants at home can help wean them away from gadgets and open up the magical world of nature and science to them. 

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