Annual science fair: Inculcate love for science, pave way for progress

Students of Khaldunia High School innovate techniques to solve energy crisis.


Maha Mussadaq February 10, 2014
A microscopic model of a leaf prepared by the students. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL

ISLAMABAD: To find solutions to Pakistan’s chronic energy crisis, students presented innovative scientific techniques at a fair here on Sunday morning.

A total of 130 projects were displayed by the students of the Khaldunia High School at the annual science fair.

The canopy set up on the school ground was buzzing with energy with most projects proving helpful in solving Pakistan’s energy crisis.

Faris Khan, an 11th grader, stood proud next to his project, a Van de Graaf generator, explaining that it worked to produce electrostatic energy which can be beneficial for many. While explaining his other initiatives, he said that while most projects revolved around the same theme- energy- each project was different from one another.

Explaining the projects, its techniques and uses on chart paper, the students participating in fair not only educated other students on the initiatives, but learn from others’ work at the same time as well. “There are so many ways of generating energy and I learnt that from the fair today,” Khan said.

The students’ eyes glistened while they observed other projects such as simple water pump, soda rocket, lava lamp, air pressure gadgets and cheese making machine.  “I love science, especially the trial and error period. It is fascinating when what we learn in books is practically applied and made into something useful,” said 5th grader Myra Ansari.

While signing a petition about mercury pollution, Zuha Ansari, a 9th grader, said that her model describing mercury pollution and its harms was something the younger students had not heard of. “Through the project I have not only explained the phenomenon better to my peers but at the same time, I have alerted and educated the younger lot, which is important,” she said with a smile.

The commotion, action and movement of projects kept the students engaged. Moving from one stall to the other, the students were practically learning hundreds of lessons.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Science Coordinator Shandana Ali Khan said that the students were asked to work on the projects with minimal help from their parents.

With a little guidance from the teachers, the students managed to surprise many with their work. Khan said that it was essential for the students of all grades to practically apply their knowledge of what they learn theoretically. She said that some students did fail while going through the experimenting phase, but that’s what science was all about.

“The tried and tested experiments are a safe bet, but by challenging yourself and creating an innovative project is what challenged the students. Many students showed up on their day off to develop techniques to make their project a success and they did excel,” she said.

“For any nation to go further, it is essential to make the younger generation love science, only then we can create innovators,” she said. “Moreover, it is enthralling to see that the children are well aware of today’s issues and finding solutions from this stage onwards.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2014.

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