A teacher from Modankap has earned state-level recognition for taking science and environmental education beyond the classroom. Roshan Alexander Pinto, a teacher at Carmel High School, Modankap, in Bantwal taluk, has been selected for the Karnataka State-Level Best Teacher Award for 2026–27.
Pinto's work combines science education with practical environmental initiatives, encouraging students to understand not only scientific concepts but also their responsibility towards water, nature and the community. His sustained efforts in science exhibitions, workshops, environmental campaigns and water conservation have helped students participate in competitions at state, national and South India levels.
From the classroom to the science arena
One of the strongest aspects of Pinto's teaching career has been his involvement in science education. Students guided by him have been selected for the state-level science exhibition 20 times, organised by the Department of Public Instruction, and have won awards.
They have also represented Karnataka and participated in the South India-level Science Fair on 10 occasions, receiving prizes. His students have been selected twice for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Science, Mathematics and Environment Exhibition. Under the INSPIRE Awards, students guided by Pinto have represented the state four times and the national level once. They have also secured six medals at the Indian Science and Engineering Fair.
At the national-level science model competitions conducted by the Agastya International Foundation, Pinto's students have participated six times and won prizes. A student team also won a gold medal at the national-level science exhibition competition organised by Shell Nxplorer. Pinto has additionally participated twice in the National Children's Science Congress at the state level.
Making science practical
Pinto's contribution is not limited to preparing students for competitions. He has worked as a resource person for workshops involving students and teachers, particularly demonstrating simple science experiments and practical methods of explaining scientific concepts.
His approach has helped students see science as something that can be explored through observation, experimentation and problem-solving rather than simply studied from textbooks.
A school campaign for water and nature
At Carmel School, environmental education has taken a practical form through the school's 'Green Future' environmental club. Students have been involved in campaigns promoting the reduction of plastic use, distribution of cloth bags and conservation of water.
One of the notable initiatives has been the creation of more than 1,007 rainwater recharge pits, aimed at helping rainwater seep into the ground. School has also conducted the 'Chimv, Chimv' campaign, under which students create facilities to provide food and water for birds every year. Other initiatives include the 'My Green Tree for My Breath' tree campaign and encouraging students to prepare and use seed-paper pens.
5,000 paper bags instead of plastic
In another initiative, students took up the campaign 'Let Us Start the Change Today – Say No to Plastic'. As part of the campaign, they prepared around 5,000 paper bags and distributed them free of cost to local traders. Initiative sought to turn environmental awareness into direct community action by giving students an opportunity to engage with businesses and the public.
Recognition at national platforms
Pinto has also been associated with science seminars and national-level competitions. He was selected at the state level in a science seminar and received a consolation prize in a national-level science experiment video-making competition organised as part of the India International Science Festival. A science project guided by him was also selected for the state level and subsequently received a special prize at the South India Science Fair.
More than an award
State-level recognition comes after years of work involving students in science, experimentation and environmental activities. For Pinto, the focus has been on making students participants rather than passive learners - whether they are conducting a science experiment, building a model, planting a tree, conserving rainwater or distributing a paper bag.
His selection for Karnataka's State-Level Best Teacher Award 2026–27 places that work among the teaching achievements recognised by the state this year. For Modankap and Bantwal, the recognition is also a reflection of how classroom teaching can extend into science, environmental responsibility and community action.
Source - Bantwal News
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