The Martian - What can we take from it?

On returning from work after a busy day, I switched on the TV for some relaxation and on browsing narrowed down the movie, ‘The Martian’ a 2015 movie starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain with excellent supporting staff. From the very beginning, the story had me gripped on my seat feeling the emotions as Matt was stranded on the planet Mars with few resources, wondering whether he would ever return back alive or the captain ‘Melissa’ who felt guilty for leaving him behind or the NASA space stations officers who are working out the Math and Physics to bring the whole crew back.

Every movie stays with you much after it ends and this movie is still lingering with me because it has got me thinking about many parameters.

The main protagonist, Watney was all alone on the planet but survived 560 sols [Martian solar days] using his wits and immense emotional and mental balance.

In our current educational environments, we give into almost every demand of the students and parents to keep them happy and ensure peaceful coexistence. The pertinent question that looms up is; ‘Will our students be able to survive even a fraction of Watney’s rigorous survival journey?

Are they prepared to respond to mental and emotional turmoil awaiting them at their work and home?

2   Watney has limited food and as a botanist utilizes Martian soil fertilized with crew’s faeces to produce potatoes which help him survive for around 500 sols. Watney applied his theoretical knowledge to practical situations and was able to stretch his survival. The question is, 'Is it possible to extend the knowledge we have of Planet Earth to Planet Mars? Currently, our education system is focused on marks and content but rarely do we focus on skill development. As per World Economic Forum, dated 22^nd Jan 2020, 1 billion jobs will be transformed by technology in the next decade. The world is facing a reskilling emergency but are our education boards ready for the challenge? Are our students ready to translate knowledge into practice? How do we prepare them for the ever-dynamic future?

3    In the movie, China National Space Administration has developed a powerful booster rocket and shares it willingly with NASA’s scientists even though it was to be classified.

Watney's crew were on their way home, excited to be united with their families and completely unaware of Watney’s existence. On hearing about him, they decide to change their course entirely, acknowledging the dangers and risks to their own life and progress to rescue him.

To me, this was the best part of the movie as the entire team risked their own lives to save their team member’s life. Similarly, one country walked up to collaborate with another for saving mankind. Aren't these profound emotions?

Why can’t we instill these values in every human being from day one? It should be reinforced that, " First comes ‘US’, then come ‘I". Wouldn’t the world be a much happier place?

I definitely love movies and always feel that good ones should be shown to our students so that we may have a healthy discussion thereafter. ‘Values cannot be taught but are caught’ and what better way than using the most powerful medium we have amongst us.

Now let us review the STEM learning in the movie and delve deeper. I have put it as a project which can be conducted synchronously or asynchronously. 

Science Project

Evaluate the movie ‘The Martian’’ and categorize the scenes, events, and activities within the

movie as scientifically least probable, scientifically high probability, and complete fiction. Support

all your analysis with evidence and experiments.

 The Martian movie launches astronauts on the Aries missions from a refurbished and state-of-the-art space center. How close and far are we from this probability of having humans

land on Mars? How are spacecraft and rovers supported to land on Mars?

 Watney has limited food and as a botanist utilizes Martian soil fertilized with crew’s faeces

to produce potatoes which help him survive for around 500 sols. – does Martian soil

support the growing of food?

 ‘’There was a high Mars wind of 100mph which destroyed Watney’s crops’’. Explore Mars's

climate to support or negate the statement.

 The space explorers are wearing a heavy space suits and struggling with the weight. Should

they be struggling with the heavy load? Support answers with reasons.

 Matt Damon’s character took hydrazine from the rocket fuel and dissociated it into

nitrogen and hydrogen and he burned the hydrogen with oxygen to make water. Is the

technology sound? Can you suggest any other alternatives?

 Watney is shown to be sweating a lot in his spacesuit at times and sometimes he also gets

cold easily. Explore Mars temperatures to explain this variation.

 To leave the Red Planet, each Ares crew uses a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). In the book,

it’s explained how this plucks methane out of the Martian atmosphere to create fuel. The

rocket then accelerates to an orbital velocity that allows it to rendezvous and dock with

the Hermes spacecraft, which then brings the astronauts back to Earth. Is it truly feasible?

 Watney returns to Earth with no possible health concerns. Evaluate the possibility of the

radiation effects after spending 560 sols [Martian solar days]

 The main protagonist, Watney was all alone on the planet but survived 560 sols [Martian

solar days] using his wits and immense emotional and mental balance. How can our

current educational system empower and support the augmentation of these much-needed

balances?

Another site to visit is https://maththrills.com/movie-math-the-martian/

Everything in the movie is not scientifically true. So another project could be, The inaccuracy of STEM concepts in the movie.

Bibliography:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/reskilling-revolution-jobs-future-skills/

https://g.co/kgs/L3ywP4 - The Martian

Kindle the light within you - Poem

ETERNAL AWAITING

Arun felt himself drawn from his body by an invisible force and began floating in air, quietly observing the surgeons working frantically to revive him. There were needles put on his arm, cuts on his chest, blood pouring out, bottles dangling with fluids flowing through his veins via syringes. He could see the monitors showing vague lines and nurses and doctors sending shock waves through his body. He wondered how he landed there, all he remembered is that he was driving to meet his client with his drawings for designing a building and it was dark and some crazy driver was driving too fast.  He wanted to go back within his body but the force was pulling him away and he saw himself moving towards a light door.

As soon as he travelled through the light door, he found himself passing by a meadow filled with immense greenery and beautiful flowers with a narrow stream passing by. He had never seen such beautiful and colourful flowers before and was tempted to touch them. As he moved further, he saw a woman seated at the midst with magnificent peacocks dancing by her side. He looked at her intently, she had long hair, very sharp features and an air of calmness. She seemed so familiar but he has never met her this lifetime. ''Who was she? Where have I seen her?", thought Arun. She smiled at him and beckoned him closer and he moved stealthily towards her.
''You seem to be wondering who I am and I have been waiting an eternity for you. I am Maya, hold my hand as I reacquaint you to me".

Image : https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/534872893215022920/

As he caught her hand, he saw himself once again in a tunnel of darkness syphoned from one end to another. He opened his eyes and saw a parallel image of himself along with Maya at a very crowded street. He was wearing a dhoti kurta and she seemed to be wearing a Bengali type saree with puffed sleeves. There were horse carts around with people hustling and bustling but no modern vehicles. All around him he saw either big bungalows or small huts but no buildings. He watched himself holding Maya's hand and walking quickly through the crowd. He seemed to be caring deeply for her and she in turn trusted him. From a distance, Arun looked at Maya seeking answers and she quietly told him to keep looking.

In another 10 minutes, he saw a group of horsemen lashing towards the crowd chanting freedom slogans and hitting them with sticks and rods. They were wearing uniforms of the British regime and it dawned on him that they were in the pre - independence era. He and Maya were both revolutionaries and supported the Quit India Movement. The soldiers showed no compassion and the intent was strong on hurting the crowd. As the crowd began chanting 'Vande Mataram', the soldiers became more violent and began firing bullets. John saw himself covering Maya with his body and taking bullets into his body to protect her. Within few seconds, more than half the crowd was dead and the rest either injured or escaped.

Maya woke up few hours later in a rundown doctor's clinic feeling all drained out. In her heart she knew her husband was no more but still she gathered the courage to ask the doctor about him. 'Doctor, is my husband alive?' The doctor replied, ''No, The body had suffered immensely and was declared on arrival".

Maya carried on for a few more years but not a day passed remembering him and desiring him back in her life. When she moved to the heavens, she saw him from above in a human form once again hoping to reconnect.

Arun felt a strong stirring in his soul watching his past and the vast amount of love bestowed upon him by Maya. He saw visions of them as neighbors stealing furtive glances at each other, sharing pleasantries and knees going weak in each other's presence. Over time, the fondness increased and people around them could feel the rising love. As they grew older, their parents themselves very good friends decided to marry them and their life was filled with treasured moments of joy and laughter. They had been each other's best friend and soulmates.

He looked at Maya again with eyes filled with tears and wrapped her in his arms crushing her with deep hugs and kisses. He fell to his knees and whispered, ''I love you''.
Their love was intense and destiny had reunited them once again.

https://www.fotosearch.com/CSP368/k3683215/

Suddenly, Arun found himself hearing his children's cries and his wife, Carol's weeping. He looked down from the clouds and saw his family of four completely helpless. He was the sole breadwinner and Carol would find it difficult to manage with two young children aged 6 and 4. Maya glanced at him struggling with his inner emotions.

Once again she held his hand and showed him the path home. ''I have waited eternity for you and will continue to do so. Come back after you have taken care of your responsibilities. I will continue to be by your side".

The doctors in the hospital room were stitching him back when suddenly they heard him gasp. The monitors began showing movement and he was alive. Truly a miracle had taken place.
''Call the family, he is living'' shouted the doctors to the nurse.

HI -STEAM - Weaving history into STEAM

Ask a student to share a story on STEM subjects and you might receive a story on Archimedes screaming out of his bath tub crying 'Eureka' or Thomas Edison's unsuccessful thousand attempts at inventing the light bulb but show them an invention or discovery in the timelines of history and ask them to share its story and you will find an air of stillness. Why? The core reason is subjects are taught in isolation and subjects are not woven into each other.

STEAM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math is incomplete without its rich history and a compelling story as every success is achieved after immense failures so if you truly wish to instil values and appreciation through STEAM then promote a strong story telling component within the curriculum. Let me share some beautiful stories which could help reinforce concepts of STEAM and history or let's call it HI-STEAM.

How many of us watched the Gladiator and appreciated the combats between Russell Crowe and other gladiators & wished to know more about the Roman empire?  Let me share with you a story.

Rome from 37 A.D to 68 AD was ruled by a tyrannical ruler, Nero Claudius Caesar best known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians and a passion for music. His thirst for power consumed him so much that he killed his mother, Agrippina as he felt she was promoting her stepson to power and his wife, Octavia. He rebuilt his city around his 100 acre Golden House after a huge fire broke out and nearly exhausted the Roman treasury. He further commissioned a 100 foot tall bronze statue of himself, the Colossus Neronis. After  a turbulent 13 year reign, the Roman senate declared him a public enemy and he ran away finally committing suicide. 

After the death of Nero, there was immense unrest with four rulers taking the throne one after another. The fourth ruler, Vespasian in 69 AD and his sons worked towards toning down the excesses of the Roman court, restore Senate authority and promote public welfare as the empire had come to ruins. To gather public support and love, they decided to build a new amphitheater known as the Colosseum on the site of the Golden Palace where public could enjoy gladiatorial combats and other forms of entertainment. The Colosseum opened in AD. 80 with a festival including 100 days of games. Let's take a peek into the Colosseum. 

Have you ever wondered how the architects in that era were able to cater to an audience of 50,000 people? 
The Colosseum measured 620 by 513 feet made of stone and concrete. It has a total of around 80 semi circular columns to support it. By 20th century nearly two thirds of the original Colosseum was destroyed due to natural disasters and neglect. In the 1990's restoration work has begun. 

So my questions to you are this:
1. In those days, there were no mikes or electricity, how did sound reach that large an audience?
2. The structure lasts even today, what makes it so durable?
3. Using today's latest technological and metallurgy analyze how do you propose to build a similar structure to last that many centuries and withstand natural calamities?
4. Evaluate the cost of creating this monumental structure today and would it be feasible?
5. The Colosseum catered to combats and games. With AI, ML and AR, human rights and social media at its peak, which games could be housed today and why?
6. Scout the timelines of various civilizations and compare and contrast the Colosseum to a similar structure in that particular era with evidences.
7. Emperors like Nero were tolerated for 13 years. As a citizen of today, share your views on people's tolerance towards despotic rulers and its predominance till date. More information on the ruler can be found on https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/nero

I am sure you are eager to find the answers and share with me as I am eager to receive the answers.

Share this story with your students asking for a presentation and you will have your students researching on Metals and Metallurgy in Chemistry, Sound in Physics, History of the Roman empire and Economics to evaluate its feasibility. Moreover, they will dabble with Artificial intelligence, Augmented reality and Machine learning and in the process build skills of critical thinking, analysis and evaluation, communication & collaboration and research and presentation.

Every story binds you and it is time our students were told a story for every innovation or discovery. Stories remain with you for life and am sure we will be able to relate to the Colosseum better today than yesterday.


Bibliography:

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/nero
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/colosseum/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/699183910878737928/

Health is wealth

At home on a Sunday evening, having gone through an existential crisis, recovering from dengue and having myriad of thoughts running through my head. First and foremost is gratitude to the higher reality for being able to recover from home and not being admitted to the hospital. The magic potion was the papaya leaf juice, dragon fruit and kiwi. Second to have been able to go to school, my workplace at intervals and receiving the best possible support from both the places. 

Every sickness suddenly shows a mirror to you and shakes up your life. It makes you look at things with different perspectives. A meeting, a conference, a workshop which you were looking forward to now fades into the corner. The only report that holds supreme are the blood reports and the doctor's verdict. Health and healthy living become the sole objective of one's life. The phrases, 'What is life? 'It's time to live to the fullest' gain predominance and one tends to become philosophical, at least in my case. By now I must have smothered my son with million hugs and kisses.  

It is in sickness that one sees the true faces of human nature. For some, the distance was too daunting to visit, for some the distance never mattered. For some, the calls were made as a mandate, for some it was genuine concern. Funny, how easily we are able to read and recognize true friends during bitter moments of our life. These mirrors are also important as it tells us that eventually we should live for those who matter and should stop trying to please those for whom we don't signify. 

Overall, the best moments of recovery were the sporadic hours

 at school because when you see the children moving by laughing, talking, jumping, making noise you realize life is truly beautiful and precious and one needs to value it to the utmost. 'Value life; value health'. 

In retrospect, it is good that in these fast-paced lives that we lead, trying to be a part of every event there are lapses where we fall mercilessly, completely dependent on others to support us. It is those moments where we realize that we are eventually vulnerable and only family and friends can pull you out so invest in them completely. We can never truly be self-sufficient but surrounded with love we will always be over cared and over pampered. 

Dedicated to all the teachers changing the world

Meeti woke up at 5:30 am berating herself for shutting the alarm. An hour late, how was she going to juggle between cooking the day's food, getting her children and herself ready for school? She saw her husband sleeping peacefully and for a second was tempted to wake him up but then she knew he worked equally hard. She rushed to the kitchen looking for shortcuts and thanks to the ready-made masala packets kept for any emergency, she managed to pack decent meals for all. Along the way, she started loudly calling out her children's names with a list of instructions to wake them up and set them in motion. It was really cacophonous as with much rush and anxiety, her husband also joined in to ensure that all 3 of them left home at the right moment so that for the next 30 minutes he would experience peace. 

 

She rushed to the station hoping to catch her usual seat. She managed to reach the station as the train approached and along with throng of women, hustling and bustling, she managed to reach her seat. Her colleague Ami had reserved one for her. Looking at her friend, she beamed and in the next minute or two, home was thrown to the winds, work talk had crept in.

 'Are you aware they are planning to increase our work time by half an hour?' asked Ami. 

'Oh no, this new Principal has nothing better to do than harass us', said Meeti and the talk continued. 

 

They swiped in at school and went to their respective classrooms. Meeti had an Economics class in STD. XB and she had read up about GDP on the internet to be extra ready. Aakash, the smart alec of the class always threw challenging questions at her and watched her while she struggled with the answers which were not to be found in the textbook. A class of 40 minutes entailed she had to put in minimum 1 hour as research work or else students would mock her as soon as she would conclude the lesson and leave the class. Along with the joy of teaching came the element of keeping at par with the students or even one step ahead. They were becoming smarter and smarter and all the textbook knowledge was not supporting the transition. 

Her class went off smoothly except for a few minor ruffles. She walked out smiling and entered the next class, XC. The day was heavy  with 7 periods back to back. As she began teaching, she noticed at the back a group of girls giggling away. She wondered what was funny and asked them but received no response. She continued teaching but the students were very lukewarm in their interaction, their minds were elsewhere. When the bell rang, she moved out quickly feeling very disturbed. As she was walking, her colleague came up and told her that her bra strap was showing, and began helping her. It suddenly dawned on her as to what had made the students giggle. 

She moved on from one class to another with emotions varying as per the students' response. 

 

Seven classes and so much correction had mounted up, exams were approaching soon, so question paper making deadlines had been given. Time was less and tasks were more. Such chaotic thoughts assailed her.

Suddenly she heard her name being called on the PA. The Principal had called for her. '100% something else is coming my way', she thought. She walked into the office smiling but on the inside she was dreading the new task. The Principal informed Meeti that a few parents had come to meet her regarding academics. As she was walking towards Meeti thought, 'Gosh, hope no complaint against me, I don’t remember hitting, scolding anyone or missing my classes'. 

The Principal came forward and hugged her and mentioned that they all had come to appreciate the excellent work put in by her and hearing these praises the Principal could not contain her happiness and wished to share the joy with Meeti immediately. 

 

Meeti walked out of the office with her head held high. She had been acknowledged, appreciated and respected. Her students loved her. What more could any educator ask for? It was time to go back and complete the other tasks. The next day she had a block class in XA and Kiran, the new girl, was even more demanding than Aakash.

When asked about my identity - I proudly state 'Teacher'

When asked what I do? - Learn, unlearn, teach, reteach

When asked who I teach? - Everyone who lends me a ear

When asked how you teach? - With immense love and passion

When asked what it pays? - Immense satisfaction

When asked what ails you? - To have my creative wings cut and stick to a prescribed syllabus

When asked about your future? - My awesome students remembering us

Victories ask for deep sacrifices

She woke up in a room with needles and bottles hanging above her. She could hear faint sounds outside but could not recognize them. The room did not look like a hospital ward, so where was she exactly? A few minutes later, a man with a tray filled with juice and medicines walked in. She tried conversing but received no response. It all seemed so confusing. Why was she being kept alive?

Over the course of the next few days, her routine had become predictable. There was no going or coming just surviving. She pulled herself and began reflecting on her past to understand the present.

She was an outstanding athlete hailing from a small town and at 19 was part of the National Athletic team. Her dedication and commitment was an inspiration to all her class mates. All she lacked was diplomacy; she gave it as good as she received it.

One day after completing her practice as she was walking towards her home, a good 30 minute walk she saw a group of men attempting to kidnap two young children. She screamed and while quickly dialling the police, she ran to the children and started pushing the men away. The men turned their attention to her, hitting her but she continued to fight. Very soon a hand with a moist handkerchief was placed on her nose and she lost consciousness.

A few hours later, she found herself tied to pole in a huge hall. As her eyes moved, she saw at least 100 more women and children in the same position. Human trafficking, something she had merely heard off and now she was living it. Deals were been made between parties for the captured, prices were been haggled upon. They were no more human beings but a price tag and very soon her destiny was been decided. She tried to scream, cut free but the cold metallic chains on her limbs and the suffocating gag in her mouth offered no solace. Every 3 to 4 hours, someone would remove the gag and pour water or liquid into her mouth and take her to a public washroom. Time had just stopped for all. Every day new people were brought in and few people would move out.

Within a week, her call came. She was to be sent out of country. That day, she received a bath and was given new clothes to wear. A woman was sent to make her look presentable, suddenly loads of makeup was applied to wash away the tears and look of fear.

At the airport, she was accompanied by numerous people who watched her every move. She knew her life depended on her making the most of the moment. At the counter, as her fake husband showed their passports, she suddenly collapsed. All the people gathered around her along with medical and security team. She screamed on top of her lungs for help and the people around her got arrested.

The issue escalated to the highest authority and and with support from the media she was finally sent home. She was excited to meet her family, her relatives and friends but was surprised to notice that after the initial pseudo happiness, people were more concerned in knowing if she was still a virgin. Every time she walked by, people would gossip about her, make sneer remarks as if she had asked to be abducted.

Some time later, her own family members found it difficult to relate to her. They had other children and the bad reputation was not helping. To make matters worse, some of the assailants had been set free in a few months after receiving political support and had begun harassing her through phone calls and sudden visits. She was stuck within the confines of the house and it seemed a new prison for her.  'I went from bad to worse', though Meena.

Her assailants were at the door looking for their pound of flesh. She quivered, glancing around the house for help but none forthcoming. All she saw was pained expressions ready to offer her in exchange for some peace. The daily struggles and tribulations had taken its toll on every house member and now a closure was the only solution. Meena walked stealthily towards the door, asking herself, "How did it come to this?

Outside, they had started banging the door loudly, any minute or two they would tear it down. She opened the door and faced her assailants. Within seconds, shots rang into the air and she collapsed.

A few minutes later, sirens were heard and both police and ambulances were whisking an unconscious, brutally hurt Meena away.

As she lay on the so called hospital bench, she had an unusual visitor, Ms. Shobha Tyagi. This lady moved with immense confidence, seemed poised and understanding. She mentioned she had followed her case from day one, people had been protecting her and knowing the experiences of the past, it was best to keep her from everyone's glares. She has been shot and declared dead by the doctors for the society but the department had moved her to this safe house for further treatment. She belonged to the 'prevention of Human trafficking agency' and wished to offer her a job which would entail immense hard-work, risk and disconnection with family. Meena knew that the family was happy to bury her than receive her and her decision was quick and final.

Over time she discovered talents that she had never realized, she could become anybody, anytime. She could move as an air-hostess, waitress, home maker, doctor, teacher and no one would know the difference. Every day, she sat with the list of human traffickers, creating strategies to remove them from the face of the earth. Her field work and dedication was appreciated by the entire department, especially Shobha who empathized with Meena that within the society her existence had ceased. Her identification was the existing operation and her family was herself but still she held no regrets because finally she was making a difference, a difference to the nation and looking at the agency members she was convinced that with deep sacrifices came the victories. Very soon the deplorable men in the town will have it coming.

Image: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/empowered+woman+concept?image_type=illustration