Mangaluru, August 2026: Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) conducted an Olympiad Workshop for its Grade 8, 9, and 10 students, as well as students from its Foundation batch, on 14th August 2026 at the CFAL Campus, Akashbhavan, Mangaluru. The full-day programme provided students with hands-on, laboratory-based exposure to concepts across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Sasikumar N. Menon and his team. Dr. Menon is the Director of the Institute of Advanced Research in Interdisciplinary Sciences (TDM Lab), Mumbai, and has extensive expertise in pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, herbal drugs, and biodiversity.
Dr. Menon had earlier conducted a similar Olympiad Workshop for Pre-University lecturers at Pilikula Regional Science Centre, Mangaluru, on 13th August 2026.
Workshop Sessions
Students were divided into groups of 15, with five groups rotating through three laboratory sessions spanning Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The Physics session involved working with electrical circuits, allowing students to develop a practical understanding of fundamental electrical concepts.
The Chemistry session focused on gel electrophoresis, introducing students to a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins.
The Biology session involved observing and analysing the behaviour of fighter fish.
Throughout the three sessions, students worked directly with experimental materials and analysed their findings collaboratively. The hands-on approach encouraged discussion and peer learning while helping students develop skills essential for Olympiad examinations, including careful observation, interpretation of experimental results, application of scientific concepts, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
Results and Reflections
The day concluded with a valedictory session, during which Dr. Menon discussed the results of the three experiments and shared his observations from the laboratory sessions. The performance of the participating groups was also reviewed, with the three groups achieving the highest scores recognised and rewarded for their performance.
The session also included a broader discussion on approaches to solving Olympiad-level questions, with emphasis on applying scientific concepts, interpreting experimental results, and approaching unfamiliar problems analytically. The discussion encouraged students to connect their practical laboratory experience with the reasoning and problem-solving skills required for Olympiad examinations.
Bridging Theory and Practice
“Workshops of this kind give students the opportunity to move beyond textbook concepts and engage with real laboratory experiences. By analysing experiments and applying their knowledge to unfamiliar problems, students develop the scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills needed for Olympiad-level science.”
CFAL Spokesperson
About CFAL
Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) builds strong foundations in mathematics and science and prepares students for premier national examinations including JEE, NEET, and Olympiads, as well as entrance exams for institutes such as ISI, CMI, and IISER. The institution is built around a culture of curiosity, discipline and science learning.
