To commemorate 50 years of excellence in Science Education and Research by the Faculty of Science, all student societies within the faculty were invited to submit brief proposals aimed at promoting STEM education in the region. The Golden Jubilee Committee carefully evaluated these proposals for outreach activities and recommended the following initiatives submitted by the respective student societies.
| Name of the Societies | Name of the activities | Target group |
No. of beneficiaries |
| Biological Society | Biology Education Programme | Grade 7 students from type II schools in Thenmarachchi Zone |
140 |
| Computer Society | National-level Coding Competition | Undergraduates in computing |
75 |
| Fisheries Science Society | Awareness of Marine Plastic Pollution | Grades 9 to 11 who are studying in difficult areas |
40 |
| Zoological Students’ Association | Scientific innovation competition | Grade 10 and 11 students of Northern Province |
75 |
| Chemical Society | Chemistry Practical Sessions | Grade 11 students in selected two remote area schools in the Island |
100 |
| Physics Society | School Backyard Physics Lab | Grades 10 & 11 students from Mullaitivu and Mannar (under privilege area) |
300 |
| Mathematical Society | Teaching Geometry | Grade 10 school students in the privileged area of Valikamam |
100 |
A total of seven student societies within the faculty received LKR 420,000 (LKR 60,000 per activity) to implement initiatives that promote STEM education in underprivileged areas of the Northern Province over three months, as part of the HRNCET project. The student societies are highly motivated and have been actively organising these activities.
Please find the flyer/banner detailing the outreach activities. A comprehensive report on these activities will be shared through the following link.
Flyers/Banner and report of the outreach activities
Biology Education Programme
To commemorate 50 years of excellence in science education by the faculty, the Biology Society of the Department of Botany, with the active involvement of honours degree students in Biology, successfully organised a Biology Education Programme for students from 17 Type II schools in the Thenmaradchi Zone. Many of these schools are underprivileged, and the programme was conducted under the guidance of the academic and technical staff of the Department of Botany.
The programme featured teaching sessions, hands-on practical activities—including microscopes—and a quiz competition. Remarkably, a school without science teachers won first place in the quiz competition, highlighting the enthusiasm and dedication of the participating students. It is particularly encouraging to note that the programme inspired the students and motivated the teachers who accompanied them. A formal report will be shared by the society next week.
This initiative was part of the HRNCET project (https://project.jfn.ac.lk/hrncet/). Building on its success, the staff and honours students are keen to expand similar programmes to other regions, provided adequate financial support is available.
The project appreciates the staff and students who dedicated themselves to conducting these valuable outreach activities.
