KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

SANGATHAN

BENCHMARKING OF PHYSICS LABORATORY

Need for Physics Laboratories in Kendriya Vidyalayas

Hands-on learning has become a common phrase in science education. Like many
other highly used terms and phrases, there are various interpretations of what is meant by
"hands-on learning." Rather than attempt to offer a definitive operational definition, we
present in this section a variety of viewpoints on what is meant by hands-on learning in
science. Then we address the issues of whether hands-on learning is a new phenomenon
and whether hands-on approaches will continue to have a continual impact on science
teaching and learning in schools.
The importance of student investigation of basic scientific principles cannot be
overstated. Hands-on learning is the only way students can directly observe and
understand science. As students develop effective techniques for observing and testing
everything around them, they learn the what, how, when, and why, of things with which
they interact. These experiences are necessary if the youngsters of today are to remain
"turned-on" to science and become scientifically literate.
Bench Marking of Physics Laboratories in Kendriya Vidyalayas
(A) Physical Facilities

S No.
1.

Item\Faculty
Standard Room
Size/Dimension

2.

Store

3.

Teachers Room

4.

Power Supply

5.
6.

Fire Extinguisher
Water Supply

Specifications
Lab size with capacity to accommodate a group of 25-30
students for class XI & XII. Must have a working area of
8mx7m with 1mx1m circulation area, as per CBSE norms.
It should be attached with teachers cum dark cum
preparation room on one side. There should also be a
provision of store room of area 3mx7m on the other side
of the working area. Working platform, of height 85cm
from floor with 65cm width, should be constructed on both
side of the room with granite top.
Store must have sufficient no. of almirahs to accommodate
the items, documents, stock registers etc.
For teacher to study and keep records, well equipped with
furniture and inbuilt cup-board
15 electrical points ( atleast two sockets with 5A out put)
for doing electrical experiments at a time and one LCD
projector.
Fixtures such as tube lights and fans should have a s
separate phase.
Atleast one meant for all types of fires.
Lab must have at least one water supply outlet and one
wash basin

7.

Exhaust & Ventilors

8.

Flooring

9.

Interactive Board &

Display Board

10.

Teacher Table & Chair

11.

Personal Computer and

Computer Table

12.

Mini Subject Library

13.
14.
15.

LCD Projector
First Aid Kit
Air Conditioner

16.

Students stools

Exhaust:- Min. two which can be increased as per volume

of the lab.
Ventilators:- Six for min. light.
Flooring should be of tiles or with Kota stone

One interactive visual Board located as suitable height to

be easily visible by the students. Four display Board for
display of important circulars and other related data.
One teacher table with drawer and formica top along with
two chairs should be in the lab. These must be slightly
higher in height than routine school furniture for better
monitoring and demonstration.
One computer with latest configuration equipped with
software for the syllabus as specified by CBSE for classes
XI & XII a broadband connection, with printer and
scanner fixed on a 3x2x2.5x size , single flat shelf at
bottom.
Must be maintained so that students may refer to the books
of their taste. Must include reference books, general
magazines on Computers, notices of various Olympiads.
Preferably roof mounted.
A first aid kit with burnol mild antiseptic cream.
Air Conditioners with separate wiring/phase other than
that of electrical points for IT equipments.
25 to 30 stools to accommodate 25-30 students in a lab
and should be of suitable height to provide ample leg
space under the tables and should have broad leg area to
provide more stability.

(B) Usability/Usage
S.No.
1.

Item/Facility
Practical

2.

Conduct of Projects

3.

Demonstrations

Specifications
The Syllabi allocated should be divided judiciously term
wise i.e. from April to August and October to February.
Practicals and activities to be interlinked with syllabi.
Projects must emphasize creativity and originality. These
must supplement the syllabi but must be slightly above the
syllabi. A list of projects must be pre-planned judiciously
and can be administered either individually or in groups as
per the interest of the students. Students need to be guided
time to time in completion of the work. One project in one
term should be preferred. Project should be of
investigatory or analytical in nature.
The
Syllabi
should
be
supplemented
with
demonstration/activities.
Videos
available
on

4.
5.
6.

Workshops/Seminars
Science Exhibition
Public Demonstration

Keeping your lab functional

S.No. Item/Facility
1.
Maintenance of
Equipment

2.

Fire extinguisher

3.

Electrical Maintenance

4.

Stock Verification

5.

Condemnation

6.

Procurement

www.youtube.com can also give an additional edge to the

teaching.
Workshops/Seminars should be conducted in the school.
Vidyalaya level, cluster level, regional level, national level.
Once in a week in morning assembly, alternatively physics
chemistry and biology.

Specifications
The equipment must be maintained functional and
necessary repair work whenever needed must be carried
out periodically. The microscopes and other equipments
should be checked periodically.
Must be refilled every year and pressure gauge should be
checked periodically.
Power points should be checked for any naked wire, non
functionality, switch failure etc. Check the tube lights and
exhaust regularly.
Must be regularly done at the year end to have check on
articles.
The equipment that becomes non functional due to routine
wear and tear or with time should be condemned yearly.
The equipment condemned, needed as per changes in
syllabi must be procured immediately.

Proposed Layout

MINIMUM INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED

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ITEMS
BALANCE (SPRING)
BALANCE (PHYSICAL)
WEIGHT BOXES
RESONANCE TUBE APPARATUS
VERNIERS CALLIPERS
FORTINS BAROMETER
METALLIC CYLINDER
METAL SPHERES
METER SCALE (WOODEN)
S G BOTTLES
SPHEROMETERS
SCREW GAUGE
STOP WATCHES
INCLINED PLANE
GRAVE SANDS APPARATUS
YOUNGS MODULUS
CONCAVE MIRRORS
CONVEX LENSES
GLASS PRISMS
GLASS SLABS
SCREEN (GLASS)
LENS STAND
OPTICAL BENCH
WIRE GAUGE STAND (IRON)
TRAVELING MICROSCOPE
COPPER CALORIMETER
SOLDERING RODS
THERMOMETERS
MAX MIN THERMOMETERS
MAGNET (BAR, SPHERICAL,
CYLINDRICAL, SHOE)
COM[PASS NEEDLES
IRON STAND AND CLAMPS
HELICAL SPRING APPARATUS
AMMETER
VOLTMETER
GALVANOMETER
THUMB PINS

LIFE IN YEARS
2
5
5
5
2
2
2
5
1
2
2
2
5
2
3
3
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
1
3
2
7
5
2
CONSUMABLE
2
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
CONSUMABLE

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ALL PINS
ELECTRIC BELL
LACLANCHE CELL
GOLD LEAF ELECTROSCOPE
GLASS RODS
EBONITE RODS
SILK/FLANNEL
WATER BATH
SLIDE WIRE BRIDGE
POTENTIOMETER
ONE WAY & TWO WAY KEYS
RESISTANCE BOXES
RHEOSTAT
RESISTANCE COILS
TAPPING KEY(TWO WAY)
TANGENT GALVANOMETER
INDUCTION COIL
TORCH LAMP HOLDER
SWITCHES
CUTOUT FUSES
PLIERS
TUNNING FORKS
SOLDER (ELECTRICAL)
GRADUATED CYLINDER
SPIRIT LEVEL
BATTERY BOXES
CONNECTING WIRES
DRAWING BOARD
BAROMETER TUBE
MICROSCOPE
PIN HOLE CAMERA
SHARP FILE
PLANO-CONVEX LENS WITH BIG
APERTURE
DIP NEEDLE
ELECTRONIC BUZZER (FREQ 500 TO
1000Z)
REFRACTING TELESCOPE
CYLINDER (VISCOSITY APPARATUS)
CHINA DISH
CAPILLARY TUBE
METALLIC TUBE (BOTH END OPEN)

CONSUMABLE
1
CONSUMABLE
2
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
5
1
1
CONSUMABLE
3
2
1
CONSUMABLE
2
2
1
2
CONSUMABLE
5
5
2
2
5
2
5
2
2
CONSUMABLE
5

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STANDARD CELLS
WATER JET OF DIFFERENT NOZZLE SIZE
GEOMETRY BOXES
POLAROIDS
IRON WIRES
TOOL KIT
PLANE MIRROR
ELECTROMAGNET
GAS BURNER
VAN DEGRAFF GENERATOR WORKING
MODEL
ROUND BOTTOM FLASK
NEWTON LAW OF COOLING APPARATUS
SONOMETER APPARATUS
OHMS LAW APPARATUS
STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER
ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTIC
APPARATUS
PN JUNCTION CHARACTERISTIC
APPARATUS
PNP/NPN TRANSISTOR CHARACTERISTIC
APPARATUS
LASER POINTER
DEMO MODEL OF VERNIER CALIPER
DEMO MODEL OF SCREW GAUGE
DEMO MODEL OF SPHEROMETER
LDR
LED
RESISTORS
CAPACITORS
DIODES
TRANSISTORS
MULTIMETER DIGITAL
HOOKS LAW APPARATUS
EXTENSION BOARD
PARALLELOGRAM FORCES APPARATUS
RUBBER PAD
BEAKER
SCREW DRIVER
HOLLOW GLASS PRISM

CONSUMABLE
1
2
CONSUMABLE
2
3
CONSUMABLE
2
2
3
CONSUMABLE
5
5
5
3
3
3
3
1
5
5
5
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
CONSUMABLE
2
1
1
3
1
CONSUMABLE
1
CONSUMABLE