The monishar pathorer bon (Monisha and the Stone Forest) Book Project: Novel Educational Outreach to Children in Rural Communities, Eastern Indian Subcontinent

ABSTRACT

Monishar pathorer bon (Monisha and the Stone Forest) is an illustrated, Bengali-language story aimed at children aged 11–17 that uses a place-based approach to teach the principles of stratigraphic geology and global change. It is the first such book to be published in Bengali, the sixth most widely spoken language globally, and thus marks a significant contribution in geoscience education. The story concerns a curious village girl's quest to find a natural explanation for gatchpathor (petrified wood), which is common throughout much of Bengal. In doing so, she discovers a science-based explanation for a phenomenon locally explained supernaturally. Production and free distribution of 4,000 copies of the book involved collaborations between scientists, artists, and others concerned with enhancing educational and social opportunity in rural communities, and with geological societies in India, the U.S., and the UK. Outreach programs involved two female university honors students from the University of California, Riverside, and reached about 2,000 school students in 20 different institutions across Birbhum District, in Kolkata, and also in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A small survey of student responses indicated that students were seemingly able to engage with the story, and some improved their understanding of a science-based view of the natural environment around them. This account demonstrates the importance of deep and sustained contacts with local communities if such kinds of educational outreach are to be completed effectively.

Key words::

• Bengal
• Bangladesh
• Bengali
• K–12 education
• fossil
• scientific method
• story
• NSF Broader Impacts

Acknowledgments

Fieldwork of Nigel Hughes in India is supported by NSF EAR-1124303. We are very grateful for the funding provided by the Geological Society of London, the Palaeontological Association, and the Paleontological Society. We thank the many students and colleagues who assisted with the development and distribution of the book, and particularly Dr. Urmila Deb for sharing her extensive geological and local knowledge. Dr. Debahuti Mukherjee also provided tireless support. Jasleen Gujral helped with compiling the survey data, Rachel Kolenko helped with drafting, and Dr. Thomas Perring of the University Honors Program at University of California, Riverside, also provided critical support. We thank the reviewers and editors of the journal for greatly improving the paper.