Full of ideas, kids buckle up to solve real life problems

PATNA: City students have hailed the announcement of the ‘

Innovation Award for School Children

’ as part of which they can win 15 prizes for conceptualising novel scientific and technological ideas. The top three prizes carry a cash award of Rs 1,00,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.

Instituted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2002 on World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, the annual national competition requires students to submit a written proposal authorised by their school heads by April 30.

According to Rishika Singh, who studies in Loyola High School, competitions with lucrative prizes motivate and support students.

A diehard fan of popular science channels on TV, Ansh Alok, a Class IX student of DAV Public School, claims that he is full of ideas which “I will discuss with my teachers”. “The innovation award has given us an opportunity to generate new ideas and work creatively,” he says.

Shashwat Singh, a Class VI pupil of Delhi Public School, however, feels that it is unfair to judge all the students on the same parameter. “Our seniors are likely to come up with something more innovative as they have a better understanding of everything,” he rues.

Apart from certificates and prizes, the winners and their science teachers will be trained in intellectual property rights by the CSIR.

Meanwhile, teachers are leaving no stone unturned to encourage their students to participate in the competition.

“This is a great platform for students to showcase their talent and enhance their knowledge,” says Amit Raj, a science teacher.

Smita Raj, who teaches chemistry, points out that the shift from theories to practical-based approaches is the need of the hour. She adds, “A competition like this will provide students with real life possibilities that they can solve with the help of science and technology.”