Bengaluru: Shireen with her project titled “Effect of Datura stramonium stem extract in enhancing the soil moisture” did methodical scientific experiments on the plants. She found that Datura (though known to be toxic) has soil moisture enhancement properties. In spite of being in 12th Standard, Shireen continued to work on her project. She says “Lot of the people told me not to work on any project because I am in 12th grade”. She adds “but this was my passion and I wanted to continue on it and did it”. She also thanks her parents for their continued support. It must be noted that most of the research done by her is at home. Shireen comes form Centre Point School, KR, Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Athira Nair worked on the project titled “Investigation of pesticidal property of Areca Catechu leaves”. Athira looked at the properties of Areca Catechu (Beetle-nut tree) leaves and found that it can be a natural alternative for pesticides. Athira says “My guide Remani madam helped in my project and my parents also supported me very well.”. Athira is a student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mandya, Karnataka.

Pankit Gami and Ekta Patel worked on their engineering project titled ” A

versatile design of portable, multipurpose camping companion”. They came up with a revolutionary design of having seven-in-one capability of table, bed, stool, hammock, trolley, chair, ladder. Interestingly they started their project by looking at Indian Railways coach seats and to find out a solution for people who had to travel standing during their journey.

Ekta says “My guide Meena Mani madam helped me and was instrumental for this project”. She adds “My parents also supported me at every point of the project”. Unfortunately Pankit (her project partner) was unable to participate for ISWEEEP since his US visa was denied. The students hail from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapi, Gujarat.

Science Society of India (SSI), a non profit trust, coordinated the participation of Indian team for ISWEEEP. “I am very happy and delighted to see the team participate and get medals for India” says Narayan Iyer, President of SSI. “We are trying to help nurture innovation through such programs. Sponsorship is a huge issue and we are in a lookout for companies approaching us through their CSR programs” adds Narayan. “We are very happy and proud to see centers such as HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education), TIFR supporting such program”

Overall it is glad to see students involved in innovation through scientific research and engineering projects. Narayan ends by saying “We hope that one day our school system will give time for students to innovate by project based learning and not just exam based rote-learning”.

For participation to such programs Students can contact SSI at [email protected] or visit their website http://sciencesociety.in