• On 29th January 2023, we conducted a Game-Based Evaluation and Learning (GABEL), “The Housie Game,” for the first-year course BITS F111 Thermodynamics. This specially designed evaluative component was conducted in BITS Pilani Main Auditorium and where all first-year students (1150+) participated. This type of Game-based evaluation is designed with the purpose of reducing exam stress and having a fear-free, fun-oriented exam and hence learning. I got a very good response from the students and support from faculty colleagues associated with the course. You can see from the photos how students enjoyed the exam. This is one of the various pedagogical innovations which I keep on doing to make learning great fun.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7025893648785453056-eE31?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

• On 24th November 2019, we conducted a Game Based Evaluation and Learning (GABEL), Housie, for first year course BITS F111 Thermodynamics. This evaluative component was conducted in BITS Pilani Auditorium and where all first year students (1050+) participated. This type of Game based evaluation is designed by me with a purpose to reduce the exam stress and have fear free, fun oriented exam and hence learning. We got a very good response from the students and support from faculty colleagues associated with the course. You can see from the photos that how students enjoying the exam. This is one of the various experiments which I keep on doing to make learning a great fun. 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6613452447568498688-n0rg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/solar-cookers-that-can-bake-cakes-and-pizzas-without-causing-pollution-586200.html

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7002526732343742464-wBfR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

 

https://www.facebook.com/soni.manoj/posts/pfbid02gacQsbtXVZkbh2A7oz7rQMCymfNGYKDVZN6bp6uxpCiDUtCzv2xncUYCS4ZPN86fl

 

• Solar Cooked Food Stall during OASIS 2019 - A food stall with a socio-environment cause: At Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, during OASIS 2019 OASIS, from 20th October to 22nd October 2019, we put one solar-cooked food stall (OASIS is a cultural fest of BITS Pilani). This was a part of the activity-based evaluation, which I tried for the course BITS F462 Renewable Energy. All the students registered in the course participated enthusiastically. We did frying and also baked cakes. For the cake, my life partner provided the batter while we did baking using a solar cooker. The cakes were literally sold as Hot Cakes. We sold solar-cooked products for three days, and last day evening, we handed over the entire profit earned to BITSian NGO "Nirmaan." It's a sort of hands-on experience for the students, and also this activity was tried to inculcate in them a sense of social responsibility. It was altogether a wonderful experience. I would like to thank Student’s Union for providing us with space for the stall and also all the students for their enthusiastic participation.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6599254180739801088-4cyL?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

https://www.facebook.com/soni.manoj/posts/pfbid02HKs64UiNvyK19Wh1Bxv8r8ujNpyuKcdXWE9xaccqfr8XCgrXySaqqGTe57AxsERLl

• Nirmaan and Dr. Manoj Soni from BITS Pilani Conduct Reflective Solar Cooker Camp in Baas Village

Under the supervision of Dr. Manoj Soni (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering), Nirmaan Organization conducted a Reflective Solar Cooker Camp in Khedla Ka Baas Village, Rajasthan, on 1st April, 2018. Thirty-three women from Baas village and around 15 village kids were present in the camp. The Solar Cookers were made using cardboard boxes and cheap Reflective Mylar sheets. The Camp aims were to educate women about Solar technology, show its effectiveness and give the women an alternative to fuel wood for cooking.

Twenty-six students of the BITS F462 Renewable Energy Course taught the women how to make Reflective Solar Cookers. Students and women were divided into groups, with kids from the village also joining in. The students made solar cookers in front of the women and then gave the women a chance to make the cookers by themselves. The majority of the women, as well as young kids, learned to make these reflective solar cookers by themselves.

They also demonstrated one of the pre-made Solar Cookers to the women by heating water and later making Khichdi inside it. Dr. Manoj Soni motivated the women to use it and stressed its benefits. The women appreciated the technology and realized its benefits over wood. Nirmaan Volunteers helped in conducting the workshop smoothly.

After the camp ended, all the women were given Solar Cookers that they had made by themselves for future use.

https://www.facebook.com/universitybitspilani/posts/pfbid02XAfnoEL4jTix942hMoCqcoxddUVc8SjiGPR4Sx2XkMKDB13sBfm1kKbNvHSqS51wl