Making Science fun: Rubai’s volunteering journey

eVidyaloka|August 2025

“Being a volunteer with eVidyaloka has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.” When Rubai Sen Sarma began her journey with eVidyaloka, she wasn’t just stepping into a virtual classroom — she was stepping into the lives of curious young minds in rural India who are eager to learn against all odds. Through eVidyaloka’s online platform, she found herself teaching science to grade 7 and 8 students from underprivileged backgrounds — children with limited access to quality education, yet abundant in willpower and determination. For Rubai, volunteering is more than teaching lessons; it is about breaking barriers of geography, language, and confidence.

Making Science Simple and Exciting

“My goal is to make science simple, interesting, and interactive for my students, even in a virtual setup.” She follows these 5 aspects in her teaching approach to ensure each child is learning.

Anand Srinivas

Science, often perceived as a complex subject, becomes an adventure in Rubai’s online classroom. She simplifies difficult concepts through real-life examples — connecting theories with things children see and experience in their day-to-day lives. Instead of heavy jargon, she uses food items, household objects, or natural phenomena to explain scientific principles. She also relies on visual aids and hands-on activities — from using images and videos to live drawing tools. At times, she encourages children to conduct small, safe experiments at home using common items, turning learning into a fun and tactile experience.

Keeping Classrooms Interactive and Inclusive

Every session with Rubai is highly interactive. “I keep asking questions. I run small quizzes and discussions so that no child feels left behind. Participation is key,” she shares. Language often poses a challenge for rural students, but Rubai has found a way past it: she explains difficult terms in both English and the students’ mother tongue, ensuring clarity and boosting confidence. This bilingual approach bridges gaps and reassures children that learning isn’t confined to one language. With regular assessments, recap quizzes, and personalized feedback, she creates an environment where every child feels seen and supported.

Rewards Beyond the Classroom

For Rubai, the reward lies not in milestones or certificates, but in the small yet profound victories she witnesses daily. “The smiles, the curiosity, and those little moments when a concept suddenly clicks — those are my biggest rewards. Sometimes just a motivating word makes a child believe in themselves a little more. And that is priceless.” The challenges — poor internet connectivity, lack of resources, absence of academic support at home — are real. But they are overshadowed by the determination of students and the structured support provided by eVidyaloka, which makes teaching seamless for volunteers.

A Movement Larger than Herself

Rubai sees herself as part of something bigger — a movement that believes in equitable education for every child, no matter where they live. “Every class I take is a reminder that education has no boundaries — neither geographical nor technological. I am truly grateful to eVidyaloka for giving me this platform to contribute to nation-building in a way that feels both impactful and deeply personal.”

Rubai Sen Sarma’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of volunteering. It shows us that when dedicated mentors use creativity, compassion, and commitment, learning becomes not just possible, but joyful.

At eVidyaloka, we celebrate volunteers like Rubai who are not just teaching science — they are igniting curiosity, restoring confidence, and nurturing dreams across rural India. You too can join this movement by becoming an eVidyaloka volunteer teacher and transforming rural education, One classroom at a time.

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