Nagaland: 27th State Level National Children's Science Congress held

Students from Mt Sinai Higher Secondary School present their project 'Use of medicinal plants'. “The use of conventional pharmaceutical medicines has led to the decline of indigenous medicinal plants,” said the students whose research studied on the use of medicinal plants and its relevance. (Morung Photo)
 

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 24

The 27th State Level National Children's Science Congress, Nagaland was held on October 24 at GPPK Hall Chandmari, Kohima. Students from five districts participated in the competition based on the focal theme on ‘Science, Technology & Innovation for a Clean, Green & Healthy Nation’. Organised by the Nagaland Institute of Health, Environment & Social Welfare (NIHESW) Kohima, the congress witnessed the presentation of creative research activities and innovations conducted by the students in their communities.

“We need to mould children who are second to none with the rest in any part of the country,” said Special Menukhol John, Principal Secretary, School Education and SCERT, while speaking on the inability of Nagas to capacitate the young in the field of innovation. “We don't let our minds ignite,” rued the Principal Secretary.

Speaking on the focal theme, John advised the children make health a priority in technology and their innovations. With the present government making attempts towards greener and cleaner solutions, John encouraged the students towards such change. One of the simplest innovations is to work on keeping one's environs clean. In this regard, John informed that the government is making attempts in formulating guidelines and policies for all schools to follow in the area of cleanliness and hygiene.

Delving further on the challenges for a State like Nagaland wherein rural areas, classes are often rescheduled in tandem with the agricultural pattern, the Principal Secretary challenged the students to innovate ideas that can make the lives of their parents easier.

“Often we are not being able to capitalise on technology. Instead we are becoming slaves to technology. Let us use technology to improve the lives of our people. We need to make innovations that are simple, doable and workable. Keep on igniting your minds to move on from one project to another,” expressed John.

Dr. Pallab Changkakoti, State Academic Coordinator oriented the students on National Children's Science Congress. NSCS, a platform for children to carry out small research activities at micro level, gives emphasis on survey based and experiment based projects. 

With the core objective to spread the concept of science methodology among children, Dr. Changkakoti stated that the project activities focus on 'the process of learning through doing'.

The projects are further conducted on a particular topic in relation to a Focal theme and several sub-themes decided for a period of two consecutive years. “The study is to be carried out in the neighbourhood of the children where they live or study. It is a group activity on a local specific problem using simple method of science,” informed Dr. Pallab Changkakoti.

National Children's Science Congress, also referred to as Children's Science Congress at the district and state levels is the flagship programme of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.