Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Oct 24: Father Muller Charitable Institutions will organise Prerana Science Fest 2026 on October 27 and 28 at its Deralakatte campus, bringing together more than 4,000 students from over 50 high schools and pre-university (PU) colleges to celebrate scientific curiosity, creativity and innovation.
Held under the theme “Where Curiosity Meets Discovery,” the two-day science festival aims to encourage students to explore scientific concepts beyond the classroom through hands-on activities, innovative projects and interactive competitions.
The festival is being organised with the participation of Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Father Muller College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on October 27 at 10 am at the auditorium of Father Muller Campus, Deralakatte. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, will preside over the programme. U T Khader, minister for health and family welfare and Waqf and Haj, will be the chief guest, while Dr Praveen Leo Lasrado, secretary of the Catholic Board of Education, Mangaluru, will be the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering during the press release, Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo highlighted the importance of practical learning in developing students' understanding and curiosity.
He said that experiences beyond classroom learning would help students hear, see and understand concepts better while encouraging them to develop a spirit of inquiry. He also urged the media to take the event to a wider audience and encourage more students to participate.
Science exhibition and competitions
A major attraction of Prerana Science Fest 2026 will be its science exhibition, featuring innovative ideas, working models and practical applications of scientific concepts. The exhibition will be open to students free of cost, with no registration or entry fees.
The festival will feature a wide range of competitions for high school and PU college students, including The Sherlock Challenge: crime scene investigation, science quiz, science debate, one minute scientist, science escape room, AI flyer making, bio-art, thematic cooking, pencil sketching, poster competitions, junk to genius and shark tank model-making events.
With prizes worth Rs 1.8 lac and more across various competition categories, the festival will provide students with an opportunity to showcase their scientific knowledge, creativity, problem-solving abilities and communication skills. Separate in-house competitions will also be organised for students of Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
Hands-on learning opportunities
The festival will also feature dedicated hands-on training stations offering practical learning experiences in areas such as Basic Life Support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, DNA isolation, oral rehydration solution (ORS) preparation and pH testing.
These activities are designed to help students develop essential skills through observation, experimentation and collaborative learning while connecting classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
The valedictory ceremony will be held on October 28 at 4 pm, with Fr Roshan Crasta, administrator of Father L M Pinto Hospital, as the chief guest.
The press release was attended by Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director of FMCI; Fr Donald Nilesh Crasta, administrator, FMHMC & FMCOPS; Fr Nelson Dheeraj Pais, administrator, FMHPD; Dr Prabhu Kiran, principal, FMHMC; Dr Sateesh, principal, FMCOPS; Dr Vilma Meera D’Souza, vice principal, FMHMC; Dr Girish Navada, medical superintendent, FMHMC; Dr Deepa Pais, deputy medical superintendent; Dr Indu OS, convenor; Nishmitha, co-convenor; and Dr Deeraj Fernandes, media coordinator, Dr Shreyank Kotian co-coordinator.
With its diverse programme covering scientific exploration, artificial intelligence, sustainability, creative expression and practical demonstrations, Prerana Science Fest 2026 aims to provide a dynamic platform for young minds to discover new interests, develop skills and nurture the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.