Students display posters of their science projects at the 19th state-level Children’s Science Congress — 2011 at Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium School in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: A total of 26 science projects from Odisha have been selected for the National Children’s Science Congress to be held from December 27 to 31 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Of those, the two best models have gained entry to the Indian National Science Congress, which will be hosted by the KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, from January 3 to 7.

The theme for this year is “Land Resources — Use for prosperity, save for posterity”. Around 300 projects from all 30 districts of the state were displayed at the two-day state-level Children’s Science Congress that concluded last evening at the Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium School (BJEM) School here. Although each project was made by a minimum of five students, only the group leader attended the state-level event.

One of the interesting projects on display was “Growing pulses in laterite soil” by students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) here.

Elaborating on the idea, group leader Siba Mallick said: “Laterite soil is poor in nitrogen, which is an absolute necessity for growing pulses. We found out that most students in our school use soaps, which have high nitrogen content. We earmarked the field where the soap water accumulates and we could grow pulses there.” The 26 participants whose projects have been selected for the national round were awarded certificates, trophies and mementos. The two models, which were adjudged as best state-level projects, were created by Umakanta Das, a Class IX student of Ambikai High School in Ersama, Jagatsinghpur, and Swastida Pradhan, a Class VII student of the host school. Umakanta’s project was on step farming on a certain land type while Swastida’s model was based on changing trends in land use pattern in Bhubaneswar.

The duo received “Engineer Ran Singh Saumyajit Ray Memorial Award” instituted by the family members of chairman of National Children’s Science Congress, R.N. Ray. Ray, Chittaranjan Mishra, the former deputy general manger of Nalco and other guests gave away all the prizes.

“I was thrilled after I got to know the results. Participation in the Indian Science Congress would give me the opportunity to meet reputed scientists and other experts. It is like a dream come true for me and my team,” said Umakanta. Earlier, a teachers’ training programme on the 19th session of the National Children’s Science Congress was organised at the BJEM School in which more than 100 teachers from different schools in the capital received training regarding preparation of projects.

The National Council of Science and Technology Communications, department of science and technology, facilitated the programme.

The final round of the Children’s Science Congress would be held in Rajasthan from December 27 to 31. Every year, this event is kept open to school-going and out-of-school children between 10 and 17 years, divided into smaller groups.

At the district level, the participants prepare an outline of their project, and conduct experiments and surveys to find solutions to local problems. The projects are evaluated by a panel of experts and after being selected, qualify for the state level and subsequently, for the national level.