If you thought projects were all about files, questionnaires and burning the midnight oil to finish those on time, here’s an insight into what some students think about school assignments. Smita Kumar talks to a few children who share the fun part of projects

T-shirt tale

The last few days of Class X are high on emotion! The pain of having to part with friends is so gripping that even the ghost of board exams is ignored for a while. On one such wistful moment, my class teacher had given us a T-shirt painting project, the theme being “Friendship”. Next day, we all trooped in with white T-shirts, bottles of paint and huge grins. The excitement was palpable as everyone was brainstorming ideas, each wanting to capture a decade of friendship on the fabric.

There sat a class of sixty, some artists, some not, but everyone equally eager. Some made cartoons, others wrote quotations, while others painted emotions celebrating the magic of friendship. My group of seven decided to paint the left arm of the T-shirt. In the centre of the T-shirt, I wrote “To my golden dawn” and right below was a picture of friends holding hands. Paints got spilled at wrong places and innovations were done to cover them up!

To this day, I wear that T-shirt and the joy experienced is almost ethereal!

Shailja Agarwal

XII-Commerce

St Joseph’s Convent High School

Germination gem

My most interesting project was growing plants in a hand-painted pot. I was asked by my science teacher to plant bean sprouts in a flowerpot to demonstrate germination and the role of earthworms in the soil. We were given two weeks to plant bean sprouts.

I came back home and soaked 20 bean sprouts in a wet handkerchief. I left the beans in the cloth for two days and they started sprouting shoots. I planted them in a painted flowerpot. I painted the flowerpot with aliens and spaceships.

A week later, the beans were no longer sprouts but plants with leaves. When I dug up the soil, I found an earthworm. Earthworms make the soil fertile and are known as the farmers’ best friend. I watered the plants everyday. After two weeks, I took the plant to school. My project was selected the best.

Aakash Mukherjee

Class VI

DAV Public School

Bugs buddy

My favourite project made me a different person altogether.

I had a fear of insects and so when my teacher entered class and assigned us a project on study of leaves and insects, I was in two minds. I love doing projects but just the thought of handling creepy-crawlies sent a chill down my spine.

In my project, I had to paste 20 different kinds of leaves and do a study on 10

insects. My mother and I started observing different types of insects

in my garden. I was hesitant in the beginning but gradually I started getting involved. At the end of the project, I realised I had developed an interest in insects. I realised that the small creatures can't harm us. Today, my favourite books are those based on insects.

During the project, I realised that practical learning is more efficient than theoretical knowledge.

Arman

Class III-C

St Xavier’s High School

Awareness alarm

Holidays are the most enjoyable phase of a student's life. Coupled with projects and assignments, vacations can be super cool!

I had a wonderful summer experience while doing a project based on public awareness. The topic was a burning issue — “child labour”. We were asked to conduct a survey in 25 houses in our neighbourhood. We had to ask the person about his opinion regarding child labour and suggestions to fight the social menace. During the course of my project, I came across scholars and educated people who were involved in the practice of child labour. I was shocked, as these people ought to bring about positive changes in society.

Though the assignment was a great experience, I confronted a shameless face of society, where people are inhuman and insensitive towards others. It was the most interesting project I have ever done. I am thankful to my teachers and the school for the project. I feel the system of assigning projects should be encouraged for the overall development of students.

Garima

Class V-A

St Michael’s High School