SCHOOL CORDINATORS

REFERENCE MANUAL
The Fountain Head: Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation

Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation (VSSF), kakkanad- Kochi, is a science

initiative primarily focused on Science Identity Creation & Simplifying Science
with an aim to inspire the youth and the next generation of innovators as well as
create a dynamic, integrated research community.

The foundation aims to advance science literacy through, inquiry-based science

education, stimulate innovation hands-on experience and research disciplines. VSSF
provides an environment that is receptive and responsive to the inquiring minds,
dynamic enough to spur them in the long quest to seek answers and to prove what
they believe in.

The foundation conducts various outreach programs and workshops on science

awareness including events such World Space Week, Science fairs, Interactive
sessions, Consulting and Research programs for students about the prospects in the
field of science.

Established in 2011, the foundation is the embodiment of the vision of Dr. APJ Abdul
Kalam, with the critical agenda to improve Science education & literacy in India, for a
scientifically enriched posterity & mentored by his follower a great space scientist &
the current Chairman of Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation, Dr. G Madhavan Nair.
 Gateway to world of science- SPOT
(SCIENCE PROMOTION ORIENT TEST) (1/2)

VSSF conducts SPOT assessment examination for students with aptitude to

determine their conceptual knowledge & understanding of Science, across disciplines.

SPOT is the medium through which the foundation shortlist & assist the Smart
Science Talents. The exams are conducted in 2 phases, online, wherein every
shortlisted student stand to gain intellectually & academically via an interactive
Science portal, SPOTLink, for over a span of 4 months.

Doing SPOT develop student’s ability to ask questions, collect information, organize &
test ideas, problem solve & apply what one learn. Evermore SPOT offers powerful
platform for building confidence, developing communication skills and making sense
of world around us- a world that’s increasingly shaped by Science & Technology.

SPOT advantage:
Shortlisted SPOT’s , through SPOT PRELIMS & SPOT100 shall be provided guidance &
will have exclusive access to SPOTLink, an online Science learning & engagement
platform intended to provide impactful programs to develop science literacy, build
critical skills and foster joy of learning science.
 Gateway to world of science- SPOT
(SCIENCE PROMOTION ORIENT TEST) (2/2)

Virtual Classroom Sessions: All SPOT PRELIMS qualifiers shall concurred with 6 Virtual
classroom sessions on relevant & futuristic science topics by leading Science personalities
(Scientists, Doctors, Researchers etc).

SPOT Mentorships: In addition to knowledge based learning, it’s essential that students
have strong mentors and role models to look up to and keep them engaged. SPOTLink hope
to inspire the next generation of students by aiding them in identifying strong mentors.

SPOTLink plays a crucial role in teaming up / support SPOT100’s with STEM gurus
(Academicians, Researchers, Professors, Scientists) to diverse scientific careers, answering
science questions, clarify doubts, for mentoring, share queries / experiences, consulting etc..
SPOT Mentorships start in March and end in May 2020.

Educational visits to Science destinations: Shortlisted SPOT100’s are afforded with an

educationally enriching science tour at a Museums, Space centres , Research labs etc.

Team Indus Internships: Top SPOT100’s undergoes fully paid 1 month long & Weekly
internships on Spacecraft and its Technology & immersing students on real challenges
encountered while on moon mission, at Team Indus Campus in Bangalore.
Our proud partners with related interest

The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the forerunner in Indian Ship building & Ship
repair industry, through their CSR program of improving lives of underprivileged &
support education sector, is affiliated with VSSF to identify 6000 merit students,
selected on “merit cum means” basis to aid & assist the students in their science
journey.

Team Indus Foundation of Excellence- Bangalore, is a not-for -profit company

that believes solutions of mankind’s challenges will come from amongst ordinary
people,
Therefore the best way to inspire next generation of creators, scientists, leaders and
innovators is to create experiential learning opportunities and provide recognition for
accomplishments.
VSSF have partnered with Team Indus to provide Internship programs to the top
SPOT100 students.

Cochin Shipyard
Limited
 SPOT Advantage - Students

SPOT PRELIM’s advantage:

• Exclusive entry to 5 VIRTUAL CLASSROOM sessions (scheduled twice a month starting

Dec 2019) conducted by renowned Scientists / Researchers through SPOTLink portal.
• MERIT CERTIFICATE to all SMART SPOTS (SPOT PRELIMS)

SPOT100 advantage:

• One EDUCATIONAL TOUR to renowned Scientific center (TIFR Mumbai, SHAR, IISc
Bangalore, ISRO etc.)
• INTERNSHIPS on Space & its Technology @ Team Indus for top ranking SPOT100’s:
1month & 1-week internships basis ranking.
• SPOT MENTORSHIPS for all SPOT100’s from the panel mentors that include
Academicians, Researchers, Professors, Scientists for a period of 2 months starting Feb
2019.
• 1 exclusive INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM session (over & above the 5 sessions)
with distinguished Scientist & suggested reference books
• SCHOLARSHIPS to TOP 8 Girl SPOT100’s (2 per zone)
• VSSF EXCELLENCE Badge to all SPOT100’s
• SPOT GENII EXCELLENCE Certificates to all SPOT100’s
• NAT GEO SCIENCE ENCYCLOPEDIA to all SPOT100’s
 SPOT Advantage : Teachers (1/2)

Science Educator Award

SPOT honours Teachers who have made special efforts to enhance & instil
an appreciation and enjoyment of learning Science of their young students.

5 Award recipients will each receive Certificate / Mementos & Cash prize of
Rs.25000/-

Nomination Criteria:

• Teachers must be nominated by the Principal / Vice principal / HOD of the same
school.
• Nominations to be submitted by 20TH Dec 2020
• Award recipients will be announced in March 2020
• A selection committee will assess qualifying nominations basis submitted topics.
• Teachers may be asked to present the topics via virtual classroom portal, the
SPOTLink
 SPOT Advantage : Teachers (2/2)

SCIENCE EDUCATOR Award (Contd)

• The selection committee may contact nominators, nominees and references to

verify information in the nomination.

• Nominators and nominees may not contact members of the selection committee
other than to provide information requested by the selection committee.

• Selected nominees must each sign a declaration attesting to the accuracy of the
nomination provided by the nomination.

• Students, Alumni’s, Parents and Colleagues gets an opportunity to express

gratitude by saying “YOU SEEDED”, through online voting process. Every
individual “YOU SEEDED” campaign vote gets converted to scores towards the
SPOT Science Educator Award
SPOT advantage : School & Coordinator's

SPOT EMBED Award: Schools with maximum SPOT100’s automatically

qualify for the award. (min. 10 students to qualify) – Maximum 10 Schools can
qualify.

Award include Certificate, Memento & Cash prize of Rs.10000/- per school

School Coordinator Award: Top 10 coordinators from are eligible for this award.

Award include Certificate, Memento & Cash prize of Rs.5000/- per coordinator
Mode of Exam:

SPOT PRELIMS > 11th NOV 2019 to 16th NOV 2019

Conducted at 3 levels
Tot
Level Class Mode Questions Duration
Questions

Basic III to V Online *MCQ 60 min 60

MCQ
Junior VI to VIII Online 60 min 70

MCQ
Senior IX to XII Online 60 min 80

Critical note: SPOT is an Online exam; Individual Internet access at the school
therefore, is an essential pre-requisite for students to appear.
*MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions
Registration Guideline > Schools

SCHOOL REGISTRATION:

• Registration Commences : 16th Aug 2019

• Last day of School registration: 15th Sep 2019 Extended to 30th Sep 2019
• On confirmed registration, School shall receive a exclusive login ID &
Password.
• Login ID & Password is valid for 1 year and is to be referred for all future
communication, same mandated for Student registration
• Fully filled registration form including School coordinator details compulsory.
• Any issues faced during school registration could be notified to SPOT
Coordinator through the registration phase through phone / mails or through
SPOT CHAT on VSSF portal i.e. till 30th SEP 2019
• VSSF shall not be in a position to entertain any complaints regarding School
registration post 30th Sep 2019.
• Payment option window though open post receipt of your individual Login &
Password, we suggest to utilise the option only post consolidation of total /
all participating students.
(Use SPOT CHAT on VSSF portal to clarify your queries, i.e. www.vssf.in)
(Contd)
 Registration Guideline > Students

STUDENT REGISTRATION:

• Registration Commence: 19th Aug 2019, Please use School Login & Password
received from VSSF to login
• Last date for registration > 10th OCT 2019
• No extension of Registration shall be accepted post 10th Oct 2019
• Student Registration to be done by the School Coordinator with confirmed school
login ID & password
• Fully filled registration form with student details mandatory, which includes
*previous year Percentage for Science, for session ending exam.
• No refunds shall be provided to student opting out post payment
• Any issues faced during student registration could be notified to SPOT Coordinator
through the registration phase. i.e. till 10th Oct 2019
• VSSF shall not be in a position to entertain any complaints regarding School
registration post 10th Oct 2019.
• Each student shall be provided with a confidential log in ID & password by 27th Oct
2019.
• Mock question paper shall be available for students from 1st Nov 2019 to 5th Nov
2019.
* Previous Year percentage: VSSF may request for a sign off from Principle incase of any
disputes or clarity requirement
Fee Guideline

• A Participating Fee of Rs. 225/- per student to be collected by School

• An administrative fee of Rs. 25/- per student to shall be retained by the school.
• School Coordinator to register student details through VSSF portal
• Payment gateway shall open post receipt of school Login & Password from VSSF
• Available payment mode: Net Banking, NEFT, Credit Card, Debit card.
• Demand Draft facility open for remote areas with limited internet access, to
be addressed in favour of Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation, Kakkanad,
Kochi.
• Schools opting for Demand draft: Students eligible to participate in exams
only post receipt of the Demand draft at the Foundation office.
• Payment gateway closes on 10th Oct 2019
• Non-payment/ receipt of collated registration Fee by *EOD 10th Oct 2019 could
lead to disqualification

• Any issues faced during payment could be notified to SPOT Coordinator through
the above time period.
• VSSF shall not be in a position to entertain any complaints regarding Fee payment
post 10th Oct 2019.
*EOD- End of the day
Fee Guideline – Economically backward MERIT Students

VSSF along with our partners THE COCHIN SHIPYARD LIMITED (CSL), supports
underprivileged MERIT students in their Science journey. Fee Waivers are provided to
such exceptional science talents, who but for their economic status can ill afford to
pay the SPOT registration Fee.

Schools to submit foll. supporting,

1. Letter of request from the School Principal, duly signed & stamped in School Letter
head. Content should carry the foll.
• Full name, address of the student
• A brief note on Student academic performance & economic status
• Current job status of parents
2. Copy of student’s parents (Father / Mother / Guardian) Aadhar card

Incase of any misleading information, VSSF decision on the providing waivers would be final
Registration Process (1/2)

Process 1 > Nominate a School Coordinator

• Principal to nominate one School SPOT Coordinator, ideally from the
Science faculty.
• School Coordinator shall be the single point of contact with VSSF /
SPOT office from thereon.
Process 2 > Student Communication
• Principal through School SPOT Coordinator to ensure SPOT Test
Communication as well as SPOT Posters (Poster 1 & 2) to be pinned on
School Notice boards.
• Posters to be downloaded from www.vssf.in > SPOT > Downloads >
Notice boards Poster 1 & 2
Process 2 > School Registration
• School to register on the VSSF portal , i.e. www.vssf.in
• School Registration window open from 16th AUG 2019 to 30th SEP 2019.
• On confirmed registration, School shall receive a login ID & Password

Process 3 > Student registration

• Student Registration Open from 19TH AUG 2019 to 10TH OCT 2019
Registration Process (2/2)

• Student Registration to be done with confirmed school login ID &

password
• School have the option to add / delete students before the closing date
of 10TH OCT 2019.
• No additions / deletions possible after 10TH OCT 2018
Process 4 > Payment
• Online Payment gateway Open from 19TH AUG 2019 to 10TH OCT 2019
• Payment to be done through net banking / Credit cards / Debit cards / NEFT
or Demand Draft in favour of Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation, Kakkanad,
Kochi.
• No payments shall be accepted post 10TH OCT 2019.

Process 5 > Student Login ID & Password

• Individual Student Test Login ID & Password shall be sent to school/ School
SPOT Coordinator by 27th OCT 2019.
• School to communicate the Login ID & Password to the student the same day.
Test Procedures > SPOT PRELIMS

TEST DATE > SPOT PRELIMS: 11th NOV 2019 TO 16th NOV 2019

Test Procedures:
a. Medium of the test is English
b. Level1 exam> Consist of Science, Mental ability & analytics
c. Min. Cut off > 90%, however, student will be shortlisted basis
percentile scores
d. Results shall be announced through schools / school coordinator
e. Only shortlisted students will be informed

RESULTS:

SPOT PRELIMS: 29th Nov 2019

SPOT PRELIMS: Online exam Guidelines for all LEVELS (1/2)

TEST DATE: 11th NOV 2019 TO 16TH NOV 2019

• Starts at 10am
• 3 days x 5 hour per day options available for every school to cater to issues like
student strength, power failure, net connectivity etc. i.e.

o 10:00am to 11:00am
o 11:30 am to 12:30pm
o 1:00pm to 2:00pm
o 2:30pm to 3:30pm
o 4:00pm to 5:00pm

• Students to enter Login ID & Password 10 minutes prior to the start of exam
• Questions shall open precisely at the above hours (5 options)

• Connectivity & Power failure in the midst of the exam:

o 20 minutes & above completion: Student can restart from where left, during
any of above 5-hour time options.
o Exact balance time available for Re-entered student
(Contd)
SPOT PRELIMS : Online exam Guidelines for all LEVELS (2/2)

o 20 minutes & below: Student to attempt new set of questions in the full
60 minute duration.

• Re-entering student will have to re-enter with his / her log in ID & Password
• Any Issues above the 6 days X 5 hours per day options shall not be
entertained by the Foundation
• No refunds shall be provided to student who opts out post payment, or any
day / date prior to exam or doesn’t re-enter to answer balance questions in
case of connectivity / Power issues.
• VSSF decision incase of any dispute will be final
• Medium of the test is English for both Prelims & Final exams. CBSE, ICSE/ISC
and State Board syllabus is followed for setting the test papers
Mock Test

TEST DATE > MOCK TEST: 1st Nov 019 to 5th Nov 2019

• Students at all level mandated to take the Mock Test at least once, on any
of the above given dates.
• Taking Mock Test is critical for students to understand the test process &
question paper
• Login / Password issues (if any) that could emanate during Mock Test need
to be escalated to VSSF on priority in order to avoid issues during SPOT
PRELIMS.
• Last minute escalation could create undue stress on both ends.
Test Procedures > SPOT100

TEST DATE > SPOT100 (FINAL): 20TH JAN 2020

Test Procedures:

• Exam restricted to SPOT PRELIMS qualifiers only

• Medium of test shall be in English
• Level 2 exam> Consist of Science, Mental ability, Analytics & Logical
reasoning
• 100% attendance for Online Classroom sessions mandatory for a SMART
SPOT to qualify for SPOT Final
• 20% weightage for Online participation of VSSF Science forum / workshops
/ Paper presentation etc
• Students will be shortlisted basis percentile scores.
• Results shall be announced through schools / school coordinator
• Only shortlisted students will be informed

Detailed info on SPOT100 (Final) shall be communicated to schools by 15th Dec

2019
Role: School Coordinator (1/3)

• Shall be the single point of contact with VSSF / SPOT office & the respective
school
• To introduce / communicate SPOT to all students at the school, that includes
poster communication on school notice boards, parent queries, Exam
procedures etc.
• Communicate any further information notified by VSSF from time to time
during the course of the month / year.
• Register complete details of Schools, individual students & other mandatory
points on VSSF SPOT Portal
• Ensure all timelines are met as per VSSF directive

• Online Test: VSSF request using the school computer facility for conducting
SPOT Test at the school
• Coordinator to ensure smooth conduction / invigilate the SPOT Test
• Ensure additional teachers (internal) if need be, to conduct the Test
• Update Principal / HOD on all SPOT related activities
Role: School Coordinator (2/3)

• To conduct the Student gathering on any dates starting 28th Oct 2019 to 29th
Oct 2019.
• Students to be mandated to write down the exam procedures along with rules
& regulations
• School coordinator to confirm VSSF on the Student gathering by end of the
day 29th Oct 2019, via email.
• Ensure every student attempt the mock test at least once before SPOT
PRELIMS.
• Mock question paper shall be available for students on VSSF portal from 1st
Nov 2019 to 5th Nov 2019.
• Mock Question paper (online format) available for Basic, Junior & Senior Levels
• School coordinator to explain the answer marking process to students in detail.
o Marking Process to Coordinators : 25th Oct 2019

(Contd)
Role: School Coordinator (3/3)

• As a practice, request all the School Coordinator adhere to the following,

• Check respective emails at least once a day for VSSF communication
• Do not wait till the closure dates. Register School / Student & make
Payment before cut-off dates.
• School Coordinator to get in touch with VSSF SPOT Coordinator incase of any
queries.
o Contact us via email vssospot@vssf.in or

o Chat with us on SPOTCHAT on VSSF portal

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

QUEIRES & ISSUES – We are here to help

Please contact,
1. Registration Queries / Issues: (School / Student)
NORTH: (Haryana / Himachal / J&K / Punjab / Rajasthan / Delhi / Chandigarh)
Mob: 8943233388
Email: spotnorth@vssf.in

EAST: (Bihar / Jharkhand / West Bengal / Orissa / 7 Sisters)

Mob: 8943233377
Email: spoteast@vssf.in

WEST: (Maharashtra / Gujarat / Goa / Daman – Diu)

Mob: 8943233399
Email: spotwest@vssf.in
(Contd)
VSSF - SPOT Coordinators & Contact details (2/3)

SOUTH: (Kerala / Tamilnadu / Karnataka / Andhra / Telangana / Puducherry /

Lakshadweep / )
Mob: 8943233366
Email: spotsouth@vssf.in

MIDDLE EAST: (Dubai / Abudhabi / Bahrain)

Mob: +91 484 9745377791
Email: spotmideast@vssf.in

2. Technical Queries / Issues: Login / Password , Registration / Payment / Mock

Test & SPOT PRELIMS / SPOT100
Mob: 8943233300
Email: spottechsupport@vssf.in

(Contd)
VSSF - SPOT Coordinators & Contact details (3/3)

3. General Queries / Issues on SPOT:

Mob: +91 6282280890
Landline: +91 484 2980792
Email: spotnational@vssf.in

4. Unresolved / Delayed Issues: Escalate to,

SPOT Lead Coordinator
Mrs. Sangamitra
Mob: 9745377791
Email: spotnational@vssf.in

5. For immediate recourse / clarify queries ,

Use SPOT CHAT on VSSF portal, i.e. www.vssf.in

Key Timelines

IMPORTANT DATES
SPOT PRELIMS 11th NOV 2019 To 16th NOV 2019

SPOT100 (FINALS) 20th JAN 2020

School Registration 16th AUG 2019 to 30th SEP 2019

*Student Registration – Close 10th OCT 2019

*Payment Gateway – Close 10th OCT 2019

Student Login & Password - receipt 27th OCT 2019

School Coordinators Exam Gathering to
28th & 29th OCT 2019
communicate SPOT Test guidelines
Mock Question Paper (all levels) 1ST NOV 2019 To 5TH NOV 2019

Results: SPOT PRELIMS 29th NOV 2019

Results: SPOT100 30th JAN 2020 (Tentative)

*Student Registration: Only possible post School Registration & subsequent receipt of
Login & Password from VSSF
*Payment Gateway: Login & Password necessary to make payments
SPOT Coordinator & Registered Address

SPOT Coordinator
SPOT Coordinator
Landline: +91 484 2980792
Mob: 9745377791 / 6282280890
Email: spotinfo@vssf.in
Escalate unresolved issues to,
Mrs. Sumitra Sunil
Chief Coordinator
Mob: 6282280890
sumitra@vssf.in

Registered address,

Vikram Sarabhai Science

Foundation
29/1, Thengode,
Kakkanad 682030,
Kochi, Kerala.
Tel No +91 484 2980792,
Mob: 6282280890 / 9745377791
Email: info@vssf.in
www.vssf.in
THANK YOU