Pics by Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 1: It was a platform for over 200 children from as many as 23 schools in and around the city to come together are spend a day within the world of science at the CIL Science Fest 2010, organized by the Centre for Integrated Learning in association with Pilikula Nisargadhama Society at Ladyhill Victoria Girls’ High School in Mangalore on Sunday. The event, organized as part of the National Science Day celebrations, was supported by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board under their Biodiversity projects.
The day was marked by various science competitions, interactions, presentations on plant and animal biodiversity and screening of films related to science. The venue was transformed into a looks of a science laboratory with experiments and models on one end, the LCD screen projecting documentaries and presentations on the other. The walls wore a colourful look with the numerous collages and posters by students on the topic `Biodiversity conservation – My role’.
The day-long deliberations featured competitions in Science Quiz, Model Building and Collage. The theme of the national science day was `Biodiversity’
Inaugurating the event, senior researcher and former Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Fr. Leo D’Souza exhorted the youngsters to develop the skill of questioning so as to retain the sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness which is the fundamental requisite for developing scientific temper. The event was inaugurated by Fr Leo along with Principal of District Institute for Education and Training Philomena Lobo by planting a sapling.
The students had a rare occasion to have an informal discussion with Fr. Leo where some very interesting questions came to fore. ``Is fire solid, liquid or a gas?’’ quipped one student as Leo explained in depth the definitions of the three states of matter.
To mark the National Science Day which is observed to remember the day when the Raman Effect , the nobel prize theory, was introduced to the world, a documentary film was screened on the life and works of Sir C V Raman. The documentary titled Raman Effect – Inspiring India, was exclusively produced by Centre for Integrated Learning and directed by Sajna and Shruti, post graduate media students of St Aloysius College.
Science Officer at Pilikula Nisargadhama Society gave an interesting presentation on Plant biodiversity touching upon various plant species, those with medicinal values and some which are facing extinction.
The presentation on Conservation and animal biodiversity was delivered by wild life conservationist Rohit Rao.
The prizes in various events were presented by Director of Achal Cashews Private Limited M N Pai during the valedictory session. Executive Director of Centre for Integrated Learning, Sachitha Nandagopal among others were present.