User:AhaGuru BS

All India Rank 4 (IIT JEE 1990), Dr. Balaji Sampath did his B. Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and Ph.D from University of Maryland. Balaji’s physics classes focus on conceptual clarity, practical experiments and innovative problem solving techniques. His classes have helped thousands of students get into IIT, NIT, BITS and top US Universities. His science experiment demos on SUN TV got lakhs of students excited about science. For innovation in Science Education Balaji Sampath received the Ashoka Fellowship and the IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Activities

2011–present: Managing Director, AhaGuru.

An on-line education portal to enhance Science and Math learning and problem-solving skills of middle and high school students.
Innovative use of technology for education – web and tablet apps as well as physical books
Combination of Videos, animations, concept lessons and tests helps students understand concepts clearly and prepares them for both school as well as engineering entrance exams.

1997-2012: Founder & Director, AID INDIA, a non-profit working on Education & Rural Development

Built up a team of 800 fulltime team working in 2000 villages and 8000 schools in 12 districts of Tamilnadu together impacting 1 million children.
Structured AI as a rare organization in the non-profit sector with a strong outcome focus and impact measurement orientation.
Led AI’s growth as a pedagogy and content leader in the field of school education. Many Schools, NGOs, Govt and UNICEF use AI consultancy to improve teaching methods.
Established partnership with several foundations and implemented successful projects that have measurably improved learning levels of several lakh children in Govt schools.
Helped set up independent teams that lead AI’s initiatives in Health and Rural Development
Successfully transferred responsibility to team. Currently play an Advisory and Mentor role.

2004-2011: TN Program Director and Managing Committee Member, Pratham

Pratham is a well-known education network with a presence in almost 400 out of 604 districts of India. AI is a network member of Pratham and has been implementing a number of Pratham programs in TN.

2004-present: Founder Trustee, Eureka Books, a non-profit education publisher

Published close to 350 titles and reached out to 6 lakh children, schools and parents with high quality, low cost books and kits.

2002-present: Science Communicator and Educator

Weekly Science Shows on Sun TV (2006-2010): Created 175 episodes of science experiment demonstrations. This popular program was aired weekly and was widely viewed by teachers and children.
Physics Enrichment Classes (2001-present): Developed innovative ways of teaching physics and taught physics to several batches of students in the 9th, 11th and 12th grades.
Cartoon Books in Science: Authored several books that explain difficult science concepts in simple and fun ways.

1999-2002: State Project Coordinator, Tamilnadu Science Forum

Worked on a state wide child health and nutrition project (UNICEF)
National Coordinator for the People’s Health Assembly campaign
Initiated the Hundred Block Plan to improve Children’s Health & Education in TN & Bihar

1997-1999: Senior Scientist, Center for Ecology and Rural Development

Village Information Centers project (Min of Info Tech)
Irrigation Tank Restoration Project at Ramand District (Dept of S&T)
Community Health Workers at Vellore District (Dept of S&T)
Wasteland development through women’s groups (Dept of S&T)

1994-1997: Volunteer, Association for India’s Development, a US based volunteer-run non-profit

Helped build a large volunteer base for the organization
Set up 25 chapters in various US cities that established significant national presence for AID
Helped institutionalize the organization by putting several systems and processes in place
Since 1998… Continue to mentor, guide and support the organization, in all its activities.

Consultancy Projects

NCERT Science Teacher Education Course, 2012 (in process)
IGNOU Doctorate in Science Education Course Design, 2011
TN State Education Department (DTERT), Science Teacher Training, 2010
TN State Education Department (SSA), Reading Improvement Program, 2006-2007
UNICEF, Math Teacher Training Program, 2005
Hand-in-Hand, Quality improvement of education centers, 2008, 2010
Care India, Evaluation of Education for Livelihood project, 2010

External Links:

Awards and recognition

IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award 2012
Received from the Prime Minster, the Times of India Social Impact Award for AID, 2011
Ashoka Fellowship for innovative work on Science Education
Lemelson Inventor Certificate for Science Education
MIT Indus Technovator’s Award 2005 for Village Libraries and Science Education
Rotary Distinguished Service Award by the Rotary Club of Madras South
Pratham USA Achievement Award 2006 for improving reading skills in Tamilnadu
Association for India’s Development JS Fellowship, 1998
University of Maryland Fellowship 1994
Institute Merit Prize, IIT Madras, 1992
All India Rank 4 in the IIT JEE, 1990

Boards and Committees:

Guest Faculty, Asian College of Journalism
Vice President Rural Transformation, IITM Alumni Association o Member, TN State Teacher Training Curriculum Committee
Member, TN State Policy Committee on Child Nutrition o Member, UNICEF State Task Force on Adolescents
Former Trustee and Advisor, Ekam Foundation

Bibliography: