Chakmak facts for kids

Chakmak (Hindi: चकमक) is a children's science monthly magazine published by Eklavya foundation, a not for profit organization to support critical and creative thinking in schools.

Objective

Chakmak had a wider objective from the time of its launch – to reach out into the Hindi speaking belt of central and north India as a definitive children's magazine, biased heavily towards science, that could spur the creativity and curiosity of children entering the teenage years, encourage and inculcate in them a reading habit and make learning and the acquisition of knowledge a process of fun and enjoyment. Science and ‘scientific thinking’ was the edifice around which the content was structured. So there were articles on science and on the history of science, all seeking to change children's perception of science as a subject. In addition, many experiments that children could perform at home with available materials gleaned from their surroundings were also published in the hope of encouraging them to take up experiment-based learning. In the same vein, there were puzzles and brain teasers and many do-it-yourself columns for making toys and gadgets, origami and art, again based on home-made dyes and materials. It was felt that such content would awaken the creativity and problem solving abilities of children. Children were also encouraged to send in their poems, writings and drawings and several pages were devoted to publishing their contributions, again to encourage creativity in writing and art and to give them a sense of ownership and closeness with the magazine.

Region of impact

Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan.

Other impact

NCERT and Delhi SCERT reproduced a lot of material from Chakmak in school text books Pitara, Spectrum, Navduniya, Dainik Hindustan, Indradhanush regularly carry material from Chakmak. Encourages children's original writing and illustration. Four books published from children's contribution and sold over 2, 50,000 copies. In recognition of its contribution to popularising science among children, Chakmak won an award from the National Council for Science and Technology Communication in the mid-'80s.

Reader’s profile

Children seven to 15 years old, School Teachers, Educators, NGOs, B.Ed., B. El. Ed, D. El. Ed, MA education students.

Team

• Editors: Sushil Shukla, Shashi Sablok
• Assistant Editor: Mitali Ahir, Kavita Tiwari
• Editorial consultant: Rex D.Rozario
• Science Consultant: Sushil Joshi
• Designer: Dilip Chinchalkar
• Circulation: Jhanak Sahu