Interschool Mushroom Workshop, 2023
Asha Sundararajan • November 14, 2023
InterSchool Mushroom Cultivation Workshop

The Mushroom Cultivation Workshop by Nuvedo Labs was held on 24th November 2023. The guest speakers were the co-founders of Nuvedo Labs Mr Jashid Hameed, Mr Sreekanth Kaleeswaran, and Ms Prithvi Kini. The students from St. Joseph’s Boys High School, St. Joseph’s PU College, St. Joseph’s Indian High School, St Germain’s High School, St Mary’s Public School Queens Road participated in this end-to-end, hands-on-cultivation of mushroom programme.
A dual-language interactive workshop
The workshop proved to be both enjoyable and enlightening, covering various themes that delved into the fascinating world of fungi. Topics discussed included: exploring the historical development of fungi, this theme provided insights into their evolution over time, shedding light on their significance in the contemporary context. Delving into the ecological aspects, this theme examined the vital role fungi play in the ecosystem, emphasising their contribution to environmental balance and sustainability. Participants gained an understanding of the intricate life cycle of mushrooms, from germination to maturity. This theme unravelled the complexities of mushroom development. Focusing on practical aspects, this theme covered key elements of mushroom cultivation, including the critical factors of strain selection and genetics, as well as considerations for biological efficiency and sustainability in the cultivation process.
The workshop went beyond merely instructing students on mushroom cultivation; it also provided valuable insights into establishing sustainable and zero-waste techniques for cultivating mushrooms at home. This empowerment allowed students to convert everyday household waste items like coffee grounds, mulch, leaf litter, and cardboard into wholesome and nutritious food sources.
The diverse range of topics provided a comprehensive overview of fungi, making the workshop not only enjoyable but also a source of valuable insights into various aspects of mycology. Participants had the opportunity to explore both the theoretical and practical dimensions of fungi, enhancing their knowledge and appreciation for this often overlooked yet crucial part of the natural world.

The Da Vinci Mirror Project, a student's journey As soon as we learned about light and its properties in class, our teacher introduced us to the Da Vinci Mirror project. We were all super excited! The challenge was to create a device that allowed us to write on paper while looking at a mirror, just like Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote in reverse because he was left-handed. We started with just a shoebox and a mirror, and I thought it would be a simple task. Boy, was I wrong! When we got started, my friends and I dove right in, but we quickly ran into problems. First, we had to figure out how to position our mirrors so that our reflections would be clear enough for us to write legibly. It was really tricky to find the right angle! We spent a lot of time brainstorming and experimenting. At first, our designs didn’t work, and we had to rethink our approach several times. Even though we faced setbacks and had to redo parts of our projects, we didn’t give up. I realized that each time we tried again, we were learning something new. Our problem-solving skills grew stronger as we figured out what worked and what didn’t. We learned to embrace challenges, and it felt amazing when, after much effort, we finally crafted functional Da Vinci mirrors! From Mr. Stephen K Nebu, our teacher This project wasn’t just about understanding light; it taught the students a lot of valuable skills. Here are some of the key takeaways I noticed along the way: Scientific Understanding: We got to apply the concepts of light and reflection in a real-world context, which made learning so much more engaging. Creativity: Designing our mirrors encouraged us to think outside the box. We tried different angles and materials to see what would give us the best results. Resilience: Whenever we faced obstacles, we learned to keep going and view them as chances to improve rather than failures. It felt great to push through! Collaboration: Working together as a team helped us communicate better. We bounced ideas off each other and supported one another when things got tough. Ownership of Learning: Taking charge of our own projects made us more invested in what we were doing. I felt proud of what we accomplished and excited to tackle future challenges! Overall, the Da Vinci Mirror project was a huge success. It not only deepened our understanding of light but also helped us grow as creative thinkers and problem solvers. I can’t wait for our next scientific adventure!

Written by Mr. Stephen Nebu and our students On October 21, 2023, the Homi Bhabha Exam took place at St. Joseph's Boys High School (SJBHS) with a total of 55 students participating. The examination commenced promptly at 3:00 PM under the supervision of Mr. Stephen K Nebu, who served as the chief incharge of the examination center. The exam, which is a prestigious platform for young minds to showcase their scientific acumen, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of students from various schools. SJBHS, known for its commitment to academic excellence, provided a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of the examination. The students, eager to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, engaged in the exam with focus and determination. The atmosphere at SJBHS was one of both concentration and excitement, reflecting the significance of the Homi Bhabha Exam in fostering scientific curiosity and understanding. It is anticipated that the results of the examination will be announced on November 30, 2023. This eagerly awaited announcement will mark the culmination of the students' efforts and the beginning of a new chapter for those who excel in the examination. The results were announced on 30th November 2023 and one student qualified for the practical examination. Master Adrith Rai and 22 students passed the examination.

About Aurum The first edition of the STEM fest of St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Aurum 2024 was a spectacular celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The 2 day event, held on the 2nd and 3rd of February, aimed at inspiring students, and educators by showcasing the wonders of STEM fields through fun competitions, engaging exhibits, interactive demonstrations, and presentations, truly succeeded spectacularly in its goal.
“It was a nice experience at the cultivation.We learnt about the reproduction of mushrooms,how mushrooms are formed,about fungi,about which mushroom is poisonous, which mushrooms are good.We learnt about mushrooms that are medicinal.It was very nice experimenting how to grow mushrooms.”
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The Da Vinci Mirror Project, a student's journey As soon as we learned about light and its properties in class, our teacher introduced us to the Da Vinci Mirror project. We were all super excited! The challenge was to create a device that allowed us to write on paper while looking at a mirror, just like Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote in reverse because he was left-handed. We started with just a shoebox and a mirror, and I thought it would be a simple task. Boy, was I wrong! When we got started, my friends and I dove right in, but we quickly ran into problems. First, we had to figure out how to position our mirrors so that our reflections would be clear enough for us to write legibly. It was really tricky to find the right angle! We spent a lot of time brainstorming and experimenting. At first, our designs didn’t work, and we had to rethink our approach several times. Even though we faced setbacks and had to redo parts of our projects, we didn’t give up. I realized that each time we tried again, we were learning something new. Our problem-solving skills grew stronger as we figured out what worked and what didn’t. We learned to embrace challenges, and it felt amazing when, after much effort, we finally crafted functional Da Vinci mirrors! From Mr. Stephen K Nebu, our teacher This project wasn’t just about understanding light; it taught the students a lot of valuable skills. Here are some of the key takeaways I noticed along the way: Scientific Understanding: We got to apply the concepts of light and reflection in a real-world context, which made learning so much more engaging. Creativity: Designing our mirrors encouraged us to think outside the box. We tried different angles and materials to see what would give us the best results. Resilience: Whenever we faced obstacles, we learned to keep going and view them as chances to improve rather than failures. It felt great to push through! Collaboration: Working together as a team helped us communicate better. We bounced ideas off each other and supported one another when things got tough. Ownership of Learning: Taking charge of our own projects made us more invested in what we were doing. I felt proud of what we accomplished and excited to tackle future challenges! Overall, the Da Vinci Mirror project was a huge success. It not only deepened our understanding of light but also helped us grow as creative thinkers and problem solvers. I can’t wait for our next scientific adventure!

Written by Mr. Stephen Nebu and our students On October 21, 2023, the Homi Bhabha Exam took place at St. Joseph's Boys High School (SJBHS) with a total of 55 students participating. The examination commenced promptly at 3:00 PM under the supervision of Mr. Stephen K Nebu, who served as the chief incharge of the examination center. The exam, which is a prestigious platform for young minds to showcase their scientific acumen, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of students from various schools. SJBHS, known for its commitment to academic excellence, provided a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of the examination. The students, eager to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, engaged in the exam with focus and determination. The atmosphere at SJBHS was one of both concentration and excitement, reflecting the significance of the Homi Bhabha Exam in fostering scientific curiosity and understanding. It is anticipated that the results of the examination will be announced on November 30, 2023. This eagerly awaited announcement will mark the culmination of the students' efforts and the beginning of a new chapter for those who excel in the examination. The results were announced on 30th November 2023 and one student qualified for the practical examination. Master Adrith Rai and 22 students passed the examination.

About Aurum The first edition of the STEM fest of St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Aurum 2024 was a spectacular celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The 2 day event, held on the 2nd and 3rd of February, aimed at inspiring students, and educators by showcasing the wonders of STEM fields through fun competitions, engaging exhibits, interactive demonstrations, and presentations, truly succeeded spectacularly in its goal.