INSPIRE expo energises students

Updated on: Monday, October 10, 2011

Prospective young scientists at the district leg of the national level INSPIRE awards exhibition here on Saturday attempted to find creative scientific solutions for contemporary issues like spiralling fuel prices, depleting energy sources and restriction of subsidised LPG cylinders. Electricity extracted from water irrigating paddy fields, an eco-friendly bike and a cow dung coated clay pyramid that doubles up as a granary were among the models displayed at the exhibition.

The atmosphere at Bishop Heber Higher Secondary School, Puthur, was redolent with ideas with more than 600 exhibits on display by an equal number of students from over 300 schools. Though a number of working and static models replicated textbook concepts, a few testified to the ingenuity of students in applying basic scientific principles.

The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Research Excellence) awards instituted by the Department of Science and Technology,hopes to cultivate a scientific research temperament among students. The award grants students Rs.5,000 for producing innovative scientific projects.

That the younger generation is actively engaged with current issues by seeking solutions for problems rather than discussing them was evident from projects displayed. Energy was the watchword, from models postulating the idea of solar powered villages to tapping power from volcanoes and vegetable waste.

Thirty five projects from Tiruchi district have qualified for the state level competition. T.M. Alagiri Samy, Project Director, Anna Science Centre and Planetarium, the nodal agency for implementing the project, told The Hindu that though a few projects demonstrated resourcefulness of the students, novelty in application was wanting for an exhibition of this stature. Teachers would be given guidelines in encouraging innovative concepts next year, he said.

Harish, a student from a city school said the awards had helped him think beyond the textbook. “Though I am interested in science, the competition inspired me to brainstorm for new ideas,” he said. Daisy Rani, a teacher from a government school in Thoppampatti said, “For students from rural schools, the exhibition is a great opportunity to engage deeply with science.”

S. Kabir, Panchayat Union Middle School, Ukkadai Ariyamangalam, topped the list of winners with a model that utilised water force from a pump used to generate electricity. R. Suvenisha of R.S.K. Higher Secondary School and P. Solairaj of Government Higher Secondary School, Anampatti, shared the second spot. The third prize was also shared between K. Vijaya Sriman of Bishop Newman Higher Secondary School, N. Nishanth of Rathna Higher Secondary School, Pettavathalai and M. Vivek Prasath of Government Higher Secondary School, Elurpatti.

INSPIRE expo energises students

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