Abhilash Thiruvoth builds Rasappetti portable lab for chemistry lessons

Kozhikode teacher Abhilash Thiruvoth has developed a portable chemistry laboratory called Rasappetti to demonstrate experiments in classrooms, The Hindu reported on October 9.

Thiruvoth teaches at the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls in Nadakkavu. He believes a 40-minute lesson often leaves too little time to organise practical work for an entire class in a laboratory.

The portable kit is housed in a wooden box designed by the teacher and built by his friend Jinesh. It contains goggles, beakers, test tubes, conical flasks, a spirit lamp and demonstration reagents. It is intended as a teaching tool rather than a home experimentation kit.

Thiruvoth said teachers of Classes 6 to 10 could customise the contents to suit their syllabus. Making the box cost about 10,000 rupees, and he estimates that its supplies can last two months.

The idea emerged around three years ago while he was conducting refresher training for schoolteachers. He found that some lacked the practical knowledge or facilities needed to demonstrate textbook experiments.

Thiruvoth hopes Rasappetti will make chemistry more accessible and engaging. His assessment is based on teaching experience. The report does not present measured changes in student attainment after use of the kit.