Science Prodigy

Updated on: Saturday, January 21, 2012

For many school students, the subject of science rings alarm bells. The formulae in physics, chemistry and the lab experiments of biology are often a cause of anxiety amongst children. But Aniket Bajbai has conquered all these fears by winning a silver medal at the International Junior Science Olympiad at Durban, South Africa.

Q: How does it feel to be recognised at an international competition?

Ans: Representing the country, and living upto the competition and expectation is difficult; am glad I did well. Competing at an international level was a challenge since there were more than 300 students from across 41 countries that participated. Am glad my effort made my country and parents proud.

Q: How didyour teachers react to your achievement?

Ans: The recognition and adoration I received was awesome. Being a part of the six-member team representing India itself was an honor. Right from being congratulated on the school intercom, to being praised in person, I had it all. To top it all, the media attention was a sugar coating.

Q: How did you prepare for the Olympiad?

Ans: Preparing for the exam was difficult, and so was balancing my formal education and the competition. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education provided free training and guidance. I went through a three-level qualification exam before being selected as a representative of the country. The first two levels based on written examinations, were followed by camp examination that included multiple choice questions, theory questions and detailed experiments. Six students from across India were sent to Durban, South Africa where the Olympiad commenced on December 10. As I prepared for the Olympiad, rigorous training schedules compelled me to miss school for over 20 days. Thanks to the support and motivation of my principal and teachers, I pulled through the phase well.

Q: You scored the highest marks at the NTSE exam in 2009. How different is the Olympiad from the NTSE?

Ans: Well, both are very different. While the NTSE is at a national level, the Olympiad is at an international level. The NTSE focuses on subjects like science, mental ability, social science and general knowledge, whereas the Olympiad precisely deals with science only. To differentiate further, preparing for the NTSE isnt as tedious when compared to the Olympiad. The Olympiad required me to undergo excessive training.

Q: What are your career aspirations and your road ahead?

Ans: I wish to become an electronic engineer, and this achievement has sure helped me take a step close to my goal.

Courtesy: Myeducationtimes.com

Times of India

More Education news

• Karnataka department of higher education to further strengthen protection to women students and employees
• Heads of government and private schools directed to keep a close watch on the behaviour of teachers
• Chairman of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions submits his report
• Everyone will be given due representation says Goa CM
• Pune Education Department to hold meetings with schools to ensure a smooth RTE implementation
• Health and Medical Education, Forest and Home departments within the ambit of Public Services Guarantee Act
• 'value education' courses in engineering colleges to inculcate better values and character building
• students challenge new NET gidelines
• Proposed multi crore edu city project nearing completion
• 21 engineering colleges affiliated to the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University to seek accreditation
• MBBS and PG medical seats to be increased by 50% and 100% respectively from academic year 2013-14
• M S University's faculty of fine arts mired in controversy over a painting hurting religious sentiment
• IICA inks MoU with Bangalore-based National Law School of India University for forging academic partnership
• President asks private players to contribute in improving the standards of higher education
• First technical and medical university at picturesque Apatani Plateau in lower Subansiri district
• Prayas scheme to be extended to 4 more districts
• Jamia Millia Islamia Professor gets Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship
• Japans new government will not waive tution fee to pro-Pyongyang high schools
• Most Israeli high school students found accessing Mobile phone during class hours
• UGC notifies the procedure and criteria for declaration of result for NET to be conducted on 30.12.12