(From top) Human resource development department principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and HRD minister PK Shahi preside over the closing ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition at Gandhi Maidan in Patna and students perform at the function on Wednesday. Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Nov. 16: Aniket Upadhyay is worried about the fast-depleting ozone layer in our atmosphere. So, the student from Kanpur tried to spread awareness about the crisis with a model at the 38th Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition that concluded in the state capital today.

The exhibition, which began on November 11, had been organised as a part of the National Education Day. Sources said the state government had organised such an exhibition after nearly 21 years. National Council of Educational Research and Training were the co-organisers of the exhibition. Around 180 scientific models were displayed at the meet.

Upadhyay’s model was one of the displays at the exhibition, in which students from 30 states took part. It explained how emission of harmful rays such as chlorofluorocarbon depletes the ozone layer and the harmful effects of depletion. Fear was not the only subjects of models though.

While addressing the closing function, Omkar Aamodhkar, a student from Jalgoan district in Maharasthra, said: “Function like this promote scientific interest among students. These also foster a competitive spirit among youths.”

He added that such functions develop a sense of unity among fellow students.

State human resource development (HRD) minister P.K. Shahi felicitated the participants today. While addressing students and teachers, he said: “It is a proud moment for the department to have successfully hosted the science exhibition after a gap of 21 years. Scientific models prepared by students show the zeal and scientific knowledge of students across the country.”

The HRD minister urged NCERT officials, who were present at the function, to organise a larger science exhibition next year. “For this state government will provide full cooperation,” he added.

Sources said Shahi has taken keen interest in the science exhibition. He visited it regularly and appreciated students’ models.

Apart from the models, short documentary films were also shown to students. Students and teachers appreciated the films on environmental education produced by the science and mathematics wing of NCERT. The theme of this year’s exhibition was “Science and Technology for Challenges in Life”

Chief minister Nitish Kumar had inaugurated the meet through video-conferencing from Bettiah. R.S. Singh, the HRD department deputy director, had said: “We invited 250 schoolchildren from other states to take part in the science exhibition.”

Teachers were also felicitated at the National Education Day celebrations. Microsoft India felicitated teachers from Bihar with the Innovate Teachers Leadership Award for developing innovative lesson plans using technology to improve classroom learning.

Pratik Mehta, the director, public sector, Microsoft India, presented the awards on behalf of the company to honour educators who innovate learning techniques through technology integration.