Propelled by dynamic thought and understanding of daily problems of environment and energy resources and disaster management, school students of 23 states have attempted to find innovative solutions supported by science and technology. These solutions, including toilet modifications in Indian trains, production of electricity from revolving doors, bio-pesticides and tools to assist handicapped persons, would be on display during the 35th National Science Exhibition for Children, to be hosted by Himachal Pradesh from November 25 to 30 at Solan. About 154 students, whose scientific innovations were selected in a two-tier method after competition at the intra-state and inter-state level, would participate in the exhibition. Himachal would host the exhibition for the first time. Alpine Public School, Nalagarh, and Bharat Bharti Senior Secondary School, Kullu, are participating in water management and mathematical modelling. While the former has prepared a solar distillation plant, which may be used to purify water, generate electricity from it and also obtain salt, the latter has coined patterns denoting progression of arithmetic formulae.Kendriya Vidyalaya, Port Trust, Kochi, Kerala, would participate with their unique model for scientific disposal of toilet waste in trains. The apparatus has a storage tank, filter tank, water treatment plant and arrangement for recycling of treated water and can be fitted below each bogey. Education Minister I.D. Dhiman, during a joint press conference with coordinator of the science exhibition Dr Dinesh Kumar, today said such activities have become part of informal curriculum on which Rs 50 lakh is spent annually. “The Himachal government would give Rs 10 lakh to motivate the participants,” said Dhiman.Generation of energy (electricity) through polythene and plastic waste, harnessing mechanical energy from a jogger’s shoe and converting it into electrical energy to charge mobiles and generation of electricity from revolving doors in big shopping complexes and malls would be exhibited by Government Senior Secondary School, Jagadhari; Radiant Public School, Anantnag, and Little Flower School, Shillong, respectively.Solan admn on its toes, all in placeThe district administration has made all the necessary arrangements for the five-day-long 35th National Science exhibition which would begin at the historic Thodo ground on Tuesday. Governor Prabha Rau would inaugurate the exhibition. Children from a large number of schools from different parts of the country would exhibit their models during the exhibition. Special buses have been arranged for the transport of the participating children. “We have made all necessary arrangements for the exhibition and divided the entire exhibition ground into different sectors,” said Superintendent of Police S.P.S. Verma. He said over 100 police personnel, under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Narvir Rathore, have been deployed to ensure the safety of the children and visitors. The exhibition is being organised jointly by the State Council of Educational Research and Training and National Council for Education Research and Training.
