About Founder

My name is Aswatha Biju, and I am a young Palaeontologist from India and the Founder of the Fossil Forever Club. I have been honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (2022) and the Jon C. Graff International Award (2024) from the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, USA. In 2024, I had the privilege of representing India as a guest student at the 17th International Earth Science Olympiad in Beijing, China and I'm the coordinator of I-GYM. I have shared the wonders of palaeontology with over 20,000 students and enthusiasts globally.

As a lifelong learner and educator, I’ve curated a personal collection of 136 fossil specimens and set up a self-arranged mini museum in my home. To support my broader view of Palaeontology as a correlative science, the museum also features minerals, dried botanical samples, preserved marine organisms, and living fossils—all carefully labeled to help students and visitors explore the natural wonders of our planet. Through every effort, my mission remains the same: to make Palaeontology a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring field for the next generation.

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About Fossil Forever Club

Fossil forever club was conceptualized to dedicate a platform for like-minded students who genuinely think, contribute, and commit themselves for the advancement of Palaeontology.

The foundation was laid on May 21, 2023 for our club however, it was formerly launched by the month of August on account of International Fossil day, through my mentor Dr.K.Ayyssami sir (Retrd. Director of Geological Survey of India, Kolkata), Dr.Satyanarayanan sir (Scientist and Coral taxonomist from ZSI) and Prof.Hussain sir (Retrd. HOD of department of Geology at University of Madras). At the age of 14 when the club was formed we had nothing more than 10 students as passionate members but, currently 2 years later during the year 2025 being 17 year old I currently hold 23 members within my club community who are highly dedicated towards the field. Fossil Forever Club is formulated in a way such that, members specialise themselves professionally with regards to the fossil science. Thereby a neat decorum is installed within the community wherein during the start of every week ( Monday ) members will be given an weekly assignment, they will be given time up until the weekend ( Sunday ) before the new assignment is scheduled. As a token of appreciation members will be presented with a assignment badge to mark their studiousness in submitting their assignments. Secondly members will also be given an monthly activity issued during the start of the month and deadlined to the end of the month. We also coordinate them to celebrate important days such as Earth day, Geodiversity day, International fossils day and Mary Anning's Birth anniversary consecutively by hosting competitions within the club community and conducting physical events.

For the last one and a half years Fossil Forever Club is in collaboration with International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO) to introduce Earth Science Education program (ESE) from the Grassroot levels of schools through the guidance of Nir Orion sir (Chairman, IGEO) and Shankar sir (Adviser, IGEO and Coordinator, IESO) and we have been very successful in this project and we still strive to make it a better choice of study among students. As a new feather to our Fossil cap during the year of 2025 we have gathered ourselves through unwavering hard work to publish our club's magazine titled " Petrified Pages " this is a quarterly publication. Our very first issue was released on May 21, 2025 on account of Mary Anning's Birth anniversary. I have been consecutively celebrating the birth anniversary of my inspiration for the last 7 years, and I am extremely delighted to have released our first magazine issue while commemorating Mary Anning's Birth anniversary for the 8th consecutive year.

This club is a domain that functions irrespective of age and nationality barriers - focusing primely over the passion of students towards the field Palaeontology.

FOSSIL FOREVER CLUB'S COLLABORATION WITH IGEO

For the past one and a half years, Fossil Forever Club (FFC) has been in collaboration with the International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) to introduce the Earth Science Education (ESE) Program at the grassroots level of schools. This initiative has been guided by Prof. Nir Orion (Chairman, IGEO) and Shankar Sir (Adviser, IGEO and Coordinator, IESO). We are proud to say that the project has been very successful, and we continue to strive towards making Earth Science a preferred choice of study among students.

As the Coordinator of the International Geoscience Youth Movement (I-GYM) which is a flagship initiative by IGEO, FFC Founder Aswatha Biju officially launched I-GYM at the 17th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) in Beijing, China. Continuing this vision, FFC Founder Aswatha Biju and FFC member Griffin Beno, now an I-GYM Youth Leader, participated in the I-GYM Workshop 2025 held at the Prayoga Research Institute of Education, Bangalore from 25th to 29th July. The workshop brought together youth leaders from seven countries, working collectively to drive a revolutionary change in Geoscience education both nationally and internationally.

INTERNATIONAL GEOSCIENC YOUTH MOVEMENT (I-GYM )

I-GYM program was launched last year during IESO 2024, and since then, we have been committed to driving meaningful change in the growth of Earth Science Education (ESE). We are proud to welcome many more passionate young leaders who share our vision of transforming the future of geosciences.

Our first workshop of the year was held from July 24 to July 29,2025 at the Prayoga Institute of Education Research, Bangalore, India. Youth leaders from over seven countries participated. The workshop focused on experiential learning and explored various aspects and principles of geosciences through field visits, presentations, and group discussions — all aimed at shaping a new vision for Earth sciences in the near future.

I-GYM is a platform for dynamic and passionate youth like you, who can drive impactful change. Henceforth, this is to bring to your kind notice that any ideas you may have regarding the promotion of Geoscience education—whether in your respective countries or at an international level—are most welcome.

BECOME A PART OF I-GYM MOVEMENT

LAUNCH OF I-GYM DURING IESO - 2024 AT BEIJING, CHINA

In this event, where participants from 36 countries took part I ( Aswatha Biju ) was invited as a guest student from India to give a key note address on Implementation of International Grassroot Youth Movement ( IGYM ) in India. The keynote address focused on the area of how ignition over taking up Earth science education system within Indian school system was initiated by our Fossil forever club during the term 2023-2024. Followed by my talk we had an open discussion; selective groups with other country students as to how GYM programme can be taken further in their respective countries and around the world on August 9th evening after dinner.
The seed of initiation for GYM around the world had been sown and the seedlings had begun germinating, soon fruits will be harvested from the grown trees and the cycle will be repeated henceforth.

DAY - 02: ACTIVITY OF ASKING QUESTIONS

Day 2 began with an engaging activity titled "Asking Questions," focused on exploring the Earth systems in our city. The session took place on the rooftop of the Prayoga Institute, offering a breathtaking scenic view that beautifully interconnected the various Earth systems — the Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Atmosphere. This natural setting served as a powerful learning resource, helping us thoughtfully observe and reflect as we filled out our worksheets.