Science institute to honor late Steinhardt professor

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Communication, and Human Development has announced plans to build the Jhumki Basu Science Education Institute in honor of a former Steinhardt faculty member of the same name.

Radha Basu, Jhumki's mother, said that before her death in December 2008, Jhumki envisioned the institute to equip science teachers with the knowledge to teach underprivileged children. She hoped to engage educationally underserved students in science and to provide them a voice through science education.

"Science education is critical for the competitiveness of the United States and engaging all youth in science is critical to the future of their lives and their communities," Radha said. "For the U.S to stay competitive and as a leader, we must ensure that our underserved urban kids are scientifically literate and engaged."

Steinhardt dean Mary Brabeck said the institute will serve as a learning center for students of all ages and will strive to teach science in an effective and updated manner.

"[The institute] will focus on how teachers learn to teach science in ways that enhance science learning among the most economically and educationally challenged students," Brabeck said. "This institute will use 21st-century technology to reach a multitude of science teachers though our globally networked university."

Susan Kirch, a Steinhardt professor and project leader for the future institute's concept and vision, said the institute will study the way people learn about science to educate a wide range of students.

"We aim to be a playground for developing, researching and testing ways to teach science that engage young people of all backgrounds, perspectives and interests," Kirch said. "We are committed to researching methods that purport to engage students in scientific inquiry, discovery and innovation."

Kirch also recognized the importance of teaching science to non-science majors.

"Learning and talking science is a critical way to think about how the world works," she said. "The researchers, teachers and students affiliated with the future institute will be change-makers and innovators in education on a global scale as well."

Although her mother said Jhumki would have been pleased with the decision to build the institute, she was not sure she would have chosen the same name for the institute.

"Jhumki would have been a bit embarrassed at it being in her name," Radha said. "She always said that it was about her students."