Description
Prof. Harish Chandra Verma is retired from Department of Physics at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur as a Professor. Prior to joining IIT Kanpur, he served Science College, Patna University (1979-1994) as Lecturer and Reader. His research interests had been in Nano fabrication using focused ion beam, Magnetism in Graphite on irradiation by ion beam, Nanosize (4 nm-20 nm) magnetic materials, Fe-based alloys, Earth Science etc.
He has published 139 research papers in reputed journals. He has also written several books in Physics for School and College level. He has developed more than 600 physics experiments which can be used by teachers as DEMOs in their classrooms. He has also produced a set of 45 video lectures in Hindi at school level. Prof. Verma is Executive Committee member of Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) which works for physics education in schools and colleges.
Teachning
During his stay at IIT Kanpur, prof. Verma has taught a number of professional and core courses. These include theory as well as laboratory courses. The reaction surveys show that the courses were very effective and students were greatly benefited. Almost every year, he was adjudged outstanding instructor/tutor as announced in the senate of IIT Kanpur and was given appreciation letter from the Director.
The UG/professional courses include Nuclear Physics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Review courses for PhD Students etc.
Utsahi Physics Teachers and DEMO experiments
Prof. Verma has developed more than 600 physics experiments which can be used by teachers as DEMO in their classrooms. Besides this, informal open-ended experimental activities have been developed where students are initiated in a direction and they conceive, assemble and perform experiments on their own. He conducts workshops of Physics school teachers where he impresses upon using DEMO-based physics teaching in which students can connect science with life. Through these extensive series of workshops Prof. Verma has motivated large number of Physics teachers and they have transformed a great deal the way physics is taught in schools. So far, Prof. Verma might have given training to more than 8000 teachers. According to the feedbacks received, about 800 of them have changed their approach and now they are enjoying Physics much more. From these, he has made an informal group called Utsahi Physics Teachers. Every year in summers, Prof. Verma conduct a 6-day workshop of about 50 utsahi physics teachers of which about 35 are new additions. This activity is financially supported by National Academy of Sciences India(NASI).