January 27, 2010
Amrita School of Engineering, Bangalore
Aarohan, meaning ascent, brought together 380 students from 17 high schools in Bangalore to participate in the Inter-School Science Fest hosted by the Amrita School of Engineering during Jan 21-22, 2010.
“We wanted to kindle the spirit of scientific enquiry among school children,” stated Dr. Shikha Tripathi, Associate Professor, Department of ECE, who coordinated the event. “And the response was overwhelming.”
Various teams competed. The two-hour Math Olympiad, Ganitagya, rattled a few brains and puzzled others. The Science Olympiad, Vaigyanik, aroused the innate vaigyaniks among the participants.
The working models displayed in Anvesh, the science exhibition, were big crowd-pullers. A laptop-controlled Maruti 800, won the first prize among all the exhibits. Other noteworthy exhibits included a clock that worked with cow urine and a hovercraft built of a vacuum cleaner.
Aasubhashan, the symposium, was yet another event highlight. Students had to select topics and prepare presentations, within a time limit of two hours. “The technical knowledge of the kids startled the judges, who had a tough time deciding the winners,” stated Dr. Shikha.
Utkarsh, the technical quizzeria, saw a sheer battle of wits. Panditya and mock junkyard wars demanded numerous solutions for mind-boggling situations given to the students. In the end, the teams had battled it out for prizes worth Rs. 3 lakhs. The overall trophy was won by National Public School, Koramangala.
The children had responded enthusiastically. “It was truly a wonderful experience … I mean … to participate in an event hosted by an engineering college …” said Ryan from KV, Malleshwaram. These future college students were taken on a tour of the Amrita campus. The day ended for them on a high note, with students tapping their feet to the college band.
The events were earlier inaugurated by Dr. G. Jagadeesh, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, IISc Bangalore. “We have to believe in our ability to develop ingenious technology for the nation,” he had stated. Speaking at the inauguration, the Associate Dean, Dr. S. G. Rakesh had stressed that participation in such events encouraged healthy competition among children.
Aarohan or ascent, marked the first time that an engineering college in the city had provided a platform for young minds to showcase their scientific aptitude and talents. Amrita plans to make this an annual event, in an ongoing effort to inculcate a true interest in science and technology among the youth of the nation.
