A student participates at the state-level science seminar at Regional Science Centre in Bhubaneswar. (Below) The audience watches the action. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30: Budding scientists from across the state presented their ideas on “Chemistry for human welfare: Promises and concerns” at the two-day state-level students’ science seminar. The seminar concluded this evening at Regional Science Centre here.

Organised by the directorate of teachers’ education and the state council of educational research and training, the science seminar saw participation of 58 students from classes VIII to X from 30 districts across the state. Each participant was allowed a maximum of six minutes to make the presentation followed by three questions from the judges.

The participants were evaluated on the basis of the subject matter, fluency in speech (Oriya and English), ability to answer questions on the spot and novelty in the use of visuals (slide shows, posters, charts). In the on-the-spot question-answer session, they were required to answer any two of three questions within two minutes. A written test preceded the presentations.

“I talked about the vices and virtues of chemistry and how it influences our day-to-day life. I ended my presentation with the acronym of chemistry — chemicals which are holistic, essential, magical, innovative, scientific, trouble making (if not used with precaution), rejuvenating and youthful,” said Yashaswi Jain, a Class IX student of Kantabanji Lions’ Public School, Balangir.

“I had worked very hard on preparing my slide show. I guess I have been successful in proving my point. More importantly, I got an opportunity to learn from the other participants,” said Sabyasachi Tripathy, a student of Class IX from M.B. High School, Gopalpur.

The results of the competition were announced in the evening. The best three were awarded cash prizes of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively, while 10 students received consolation prizes of Rs 500 each.

The winner will represent the state at the national level science seminar to be held on September 30 at the National Science Centre in Delhi, said Bijaya Patra, one of the organisers. “The two best students from each district qualified for the state round and we are very happy with their performance. They were all more or less intellectually equal, which made it really difficult for us to chose the winners,” said Achyutananda Mishra, reader of chemistry at BJB (Autonomous) College, who was one of the three judges here.

The other two judges were B.P. Acharya, chemistry professor at Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, and P.L. Nayak, retired chemistry professor.