Little scientists showcase talents at Pilikula

The district-level 'Inspire Awards - Science Expo' would conclude today

The third batch of school students unveiled their innovations and science researches on the fifth day of the ‘Inspire Awards - Science Expo-2013’ at Pilikula Nisargadhama. It will be curtains for the six-day district-level science exhibition on Thursday. 

As many as 474 students including 310 from primary schools and 164 from highschools participated in the third phase of the expo. Apart from the models on alternative sources of energy, there were models on recycling of paper, remote control based tree cutter, fire extinguisher, walking stick cum chair, automated ploughing machine, borewell water level indicator, to name a few. 
Paper recycling project by Dheeraj, a IX Std student from Government Highschool, Polali, was one good effort displayed in the exhibition. Here, the recycling is done using a simple mechanism, by soaking used/waste papers in water, followed by grinding the soaked paper, removing the water from it and drying it up.

The dried thick paper will have multiple uses like the preparation of greeting cards, bags etc. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dheeraj said the main purpose of developing the model on paper recycling was to divert the amount of solid waste and reduce the cutting of trees.  
The remote control based tree cutter designed by Prajwal John Noronha, a IX Std student from Holy Saviour Highschool, Bantwal, is an attempt to save the manual energy and time wasted on cutting of plants and trees. Briefing about the model, Prajwal said the machine which is capable of rotating in 360 degree direction, functions on a high speed motor connected to the remote controlled vehicle with robotic arm.
Ramya from Government Highschool, Kolnadu, has developed the water-level controller model. The system functions based on censors which send signal to the micro controller and flashes message on the digital display when the tank is dry, half filled or is full. 
Judges not so happy
When Deccan Herald spoke to the team of judges who are scrutinising the models from last five days, they felt there was lack of innovation and research put in by students in making the models. With most of the models focusing on alternative sources of energy like solar and wind mill, judges said it was more of repetition. Though it is a science exhibition, the students have concentrated on physics and electronics, by sidelining chemistry and biology.
 “Research aptitude among students is really missing as many of the projects are made using ready made items,” said one of the judges.
While another judge said it was necessary to organise orientation workshops to teachers before the exhibition, so as to direct them to insist students to be more innovative and not repetitive in approach.