“The Agenda of the Apprentice Scientist” book released in Chennai

Nov. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- The Agenda of the Apprentice Scientist, a book of science activities that anyone in the age group of 7 to 70 will find fascinating, authored by Dr Nicole Ostrowsky, released today in Chennai at the Bookpoint Auditorium in Anna Salai. The book release, hosted by Universities Press, was presided by Ms Kausalya Devi Apparao, Honorary Consul of France, Mr P A Naresh, Joint Director, Directorate of Matriculation Schools, Chennai, honoured releasing the book and Dr N Vijayan, Principal, Zion Matric Higher Secondary School, Chennai, addressed the gathering, and also the author, Dr Nicole Ostrowsky.

This book launch was followed by a workshop session, where Dr Ostrowsky interacted with the gathering and demonstrated some of the experiments from the book. Universities Press, publishers of science and technology books, have collaborated with the French Embassy in bringing out for the Indian reader the first English translation of the immensely popular French book L'agenda de l'apprenti scientifique.

Dr Nicole Ostrowsky, the author of this charming book, is known for her passion for imparting science education using a hands-on approach. She is the former head of the Laboratory of Physics and Condensed Matter at the University of Nice in France, where she continues as Professor Emeritus. She began her career as a scientist for the French National Centre for Scientific Research at the Ecole Normale Supérieure Laboratory in Paris, and then continued her research work at Harvard University, USA, before returning to France for further research and teaching. The ‘Exploratoire’, a collection of hugely popular interactive scientific experiments she set up, has become a part of the Palais de la Découverte’s (First Science museum of Paris) touring exhibitions.

The intriguing title of the book tells exactly what it aims to do, namely, setting out an agenda for grooming anyone who is curious enough to ask questions and seek answers to be scientists. To help inculcate this spirit of curiosity, Dr Ostrowky lays out activities that, though seemingly simple, lead you to seek answers to questions that reveal many profound scientific truths.    

The book comprises 365 simple activities (one for each day of the year, figuratively), spanning topics as diverse as optics, chromatography, the solar system and probability, which  can be performed with easily available material such as matchsticks, paint, a bottle, a pen and paper! The reader is encouraged to experiment with the materials, play, draw, cut, construct, write, think, observe and create, and in the process, discover the answers to questions by himself. What makes the book particularly endearing is its colourful and humour-filled illustrations that transform the learning of science into a fun-filled journey. The book will serve as a rich source book for teachers to delve into for engaging their students in practical science. There is additional help available to teachers at the publisher’s website as well.


The Agenda of the Apprentice Scientist, a book of science activities that anyone in the age group of 7 to 70 will find fascinating, authored by Dr Nicole Ostrowsky, released today in Chennai at the Bookpoint Auditorium in Anna Salai. The book release, hosted by Universities Press, was presided by Ms Kausalya Devi Apparao, Honorary Consul of France, Mr P A Naresh, Joint Director, Directorate of Matriculation Schools, Chennai, honoured releasing the book and Dr N Vijayan, Principal, Zion Matric Higher Secondary School, Chennai, addressed the gathering, and also the author, Dr Nicole Ostrowsky.

This book launch was followed by a workshop session, where Dr Ostrowsky interacted with the gathering and demonstrated some of the experiments from the book. Universities Press, publishers of science and technology books, have collaborated with the French Embassy in bringing out for the Indian reader the first English translation of the immensely popular French book L'agenda de l'apprenti scientifique.

Dr Nicole Ostrowsky, the author of this charming book, is known for her passion for imparting science education using a hands-on approach. She is the former head of the Laboratory of Physics and Condensed Matter at the University of Nice in France, where she continues as Professor Emeritus. She began her career as a scientist for the French National Centre for Scientific Research at the Ecole Normale Supérieure Laboratory in Paris, and then continued her research work at Harvard University, USA, before returning to France for further research and teaching. The ‘Exploratoire’, a collection of hugely popular interactive scientific experiments she set up, has become a part of the Palais de la Découverte’s (First Science museum of Paris) touring exhibitions.

The intriguing title of the book tells exactly what it aims to do, namely, setting out an agenda for grooming anyone who is curious enough to ask questions and seek answers to be scientists. To help inculcate this spirit of curiosity, Dr Ostrowky lays out activities that, though seemingly simple, lead you to seek answers to questions that reveal many profound scientific truths.    

The book comprises 365 simple activities (one for each day of the year, figuratively), spanning topics as diverse as optics, chromatography, the solar system and probability, which  can be performed with easily available material such as matchsticks, paint, a bottle, a pen and paper! The reader is encouraged to experiment with the materials, play, draw, cut, construct, write, think, observe and create, and in the process, discover the answers to questions by himself. What makes the book particularly endearing is its colourful and humour-filled illustrations that transform the learning of science into a fun-filled journey. The book will serve as a rich source book for teachers to delve into for engaging their students in practical science. There is additional help available to teachers at the publisher’s website as well.