Nationals to have six students from Kerala

KOCHI: Six students were selected for the final round of Inspire Award exhibition held at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School on Tuesday. Freddy Saji of SNDPHSS, Adimaly in Idukki, Sampreeth Sreeshan of St Michael’s AIHSS, Kannur, Deepthi Kashyap of SVVHS School, Miyappadavu in Kasargod, Govind Shenoy of CCPLMAIHSS, Perumanoor in Ernakulam, Ajmal K H of GHSS, Varavur in Thrissur, and Anura Nair A R of GVHSS, Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, are the first six winners who have qualified for the nationals to be held in New Delhi.The programme initiated by the National Science and Technology Department to tap science talents was inaugurated by Ramachandran Thekkedath, Vice-Chancellor, Cochin University of Science and Technology. 120 students from Class VI to Class X of government and aided schools from the nooks and crannies of the state who were selected at the district-level participated.All the students were given Rs 5,000 each as part of the project. The projects, still models, working models and other innovative ideas exhibited showcased the vision of the young minds.From conserving the rich biodiversity to saving energy, power, water, management of waste and pollution and even ways to launch rockets were demonstrated in brilliant ways. The students demonstrated innovative ways of making organic manure and pesticides, manure from fish and meat waste, how rubber cultivation is harming biodiversity, evolution of elephant and laid stress on protecting planet earth from mindless exploitation and make way of life better.Some of them conducted surveys in their areas and found out the percentage of people who are aware of the harmful effects of chemical pesticides and came to the conclusion that there were no units for plastic waste treatment.Athul Gabriel of PSHS, Chittoor, Palakkad, showed how exercising can be made more productive using pedalpowered grinder and washing machine. Chythra of J N School went back in time when water weed ‘Asola’ was common in the paddy fields.She highlighted its potential as organic manure for paddy cultivation and generation of biogas.