Students turn innovators at science expo

Models on cyclone detector, use of plastic in road construction, control of borer disease in coffee plants, use of drumstick seeds for water purification, nutritious food etc attracted the attention of onlookers at the divisional-level science model exhibition organised for degree college students, at AIT in Chikkamagaluru.

The science model exhibition was jointly organised by Rajya Vijnana Parishath, Department of Collegiate Education, Department of Science and Technology and AIT.

More than 20 models by the students from Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, and Davangere were exhibited.

K R Ravi Kiran and Geetha Kushtagi, students of biotechnology at IDSG Government College came out with a model on controlling borer disease affecting coffee plants. They used ginger oil and emulsion oil to check the disease.

Explaining the project, Ravikiran said, “We had sprayed ginger oil on affected coffee plants in an estate near Chikkamagaluru and the result has been positive.”

Students A C Vishwanath and D Suresh from Chitradurga Government College had exhibited a model on cyclone detector.

“Based on evaporation of water from the sea, wind speed, cloud density and temperature, the cyclone is detected and a message is sent to the satellite centres. The satellite centres, in turn, will send a message to the Meteorological Department,” said Vishwanath.

Pallavi and C R Amritha from First Grade College in Shikaripura had come out with an alternative to plastic. Through their model, they have shown that potato powder, glycerin, and vinegar, a product that can be an alternative to plastic can be developed. The product is eco-friendly and is degradable.

Spoorthi, another student said that using drumstick seed powder, water can be purified. The powder does not have any impact on the Ph value of the water.

G Darsha and C R Harish from DRM College, Davangere had come out with a solution for foot and mouth disease affecting cattle. A model on nutritious food by Anjali and Nisha of Chitradurga Government College and a model on sanitation by R Shetty and K A Avani from IDSG College were other attractions.