'Inspired' students showcase talents

About 500 students exhibit their models at Pilikula Science Centre

There were several curious eyes staring at one particular counter at the INSPIRE award science models exhibition in Pilikula on Saturday.

The mobile tracking unit developed by Dhanyashree, a VII Std student from government school Bengre, was simple yet innovative, giving a warning bell to the students who take mobile phones to classes or examination halls, avoiding teachers’ eyes.

The energy production unit using ‘go muthra’ (cow urine) developed by Anvitha Bhat, a VIII Std student from Canara Girls’ School was yet another model standing in the line of innovations by children.

There were a sea of models at the exhibition displaying the interest and talent of school children towards basic science. Be it the remote control based tower crane, or the mobile charging unit using raw vegetables, be it the solar tracker or the automated water pump, every other model reflected the efforts put in by students dwelling deeper into science.

The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Persuit for Inspired Research) award is constituted by the Central government to promote scientific research among students fraternity. The district-level exhibition was jointly organised by the Public Instructions Department, District Institute for Education and Training and Pilikula Regional Science Centre.

Mobile tracking unit

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dhanyashree who developed mobile tracking unit, said the unit had the capacity to locate mobile phones within half meter radius. When the mobile phone gets a call or SMS, the radio frequency waves will reach the LED circuit box and the buzzer makes an alarming sound.

The buzzer gives an alarm even during the outgoing calls. “Students operate mobile phones in classrooms despite the ban on its usage. But, this system is useful to teachers as the system functions even when the phone is in silent or in vibration mode,” she explained.

Anvitha Bhat who developed the unit of producing energy using cow urine which normally goes waste, said that the system is useful to charge clock, mobile phones, electric bulbs etc.

The unit comprising of three parallel copper containers filled with cow urine, generates energy as the uric acid reacts with zinc plates. Three litres of urine will generate five volts of electricity which is enough to charge a clock, while five litres of urine would charge the mobile phone, she said.

The automated window pane and door closing unit designed by Deekshith will be of help during rains.

As the panel on the roof top is soaked in water, it passes signals to the motor unit inside the home thus, automatically closing the doors and window panes. The automated water pump developed by Shilpa from government school Nerala (near Ichlampady) enables farmers who face voltage problem, to set the clock timing at night. The water pump gets automatically on and irrigates the farm.

Increased awareness about the use of alternative energy sources was evident among students as several of the models were related to generation of solar energy, wind power, energy using manure etc.

Recognise talents

Earlier, inaugurating the exhibition, Forest and District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai said it is important to recognise and honour talents so as to boost them to achieve better. Two generations back, there were less opportunities for students to explore and exhibit talents. But the situation is not the same now. Students must make use of the opportunities, he said.

College of Teachers’ Education Principal Philomena Lobo urged the government to promote other fields like history and literature as well, on the lines of science. “We organise and promote only science faculty among students. But, hardly any attempts are made to promote other arenas which are as important as science,” she said.


Rs 5,000 for each student

As many as 1,434 students will participate in the six-day district-level science exhibition. A total of 137 selected students who remained absent from the expo last year are given a chance to exhibit their models this year.

About 500 students will exhibit their models everyday and each student will get an opportunity to display their models for two days. All the participants will get a cash reward of Rs 5,000 for developing the model. The selected students will participate in the State-level expo, said Nodal Officer for the exhibition, Dayavathi.