Science fair: Sept. 11 attacks take centre stage

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, NOV. 27. From behind the white mask and appropriately dressed in white protective clothing, Akshay explains about the deadly bacterial form of anthrax. Amit, his classmate, standing beside him, sports anthrax infected arms unfazed even as Parnitha, another classmate, cheerfully talks about how anthrax gets transmitted and the symptoms.

Terrorism is an all-pervading issue these days, and there is no escaping from the impact of September 11 incidents and the subsequent anthrax scare, which has caused many shivers.

Not surprisingly therefore, the district children's science fair, which got off to a start at St. Patrick's High School here on Tuesday, attracted many entries dealing with these hot issues like the three students of Mount Caramel School, who diligently prepared charts, figurines and even donned masks and wounds to put the message across.

``Anthrax can be transmitted through eating infected meat or directly inhaling ...,'' Parnitha goes on. Why did they choose this topic? ``Because it is the latest thing,'' she smiles. There were a couple of other teams too, who made exhibits on anthrax and some replicas of passenger jets crashing into the World Trade Center.

More than 200 schools were participating in the four-day science fair, with children coming up with around 1,100 exhibits dealing with various topics like health & technology, transport & communication and educational technology.

There were many interesting exhibits, but a few ideas stood out like the revolving rail platform by B. Anjaneyulu and G. Subash of DIET (Neredmet) which ``saves both fuel and time''. Jagannath Reddy and Sivaprasad of Pragati Vidya Niketan came up with a sound box which will ``cost less than Rs. 200 to make''. To a cassette player they put amplifiers inside two earthen pots beautified by thermocol and coloured sheets. Of course, the sound is magical!

Vamsi of Indo-English High School showcased an automatic signal system for unmanned railway crossings. He suggested three zones, including a cautious and alert zone, before a crossing and an alarm for different vehicles, depending on their speed near such a place. Vikram and his friend thought of a pilotless passenger plane, which they insisted would be much safer! And what did they name it? "B-52!!".

Earlier, Director of School Education, Mr. Manmohan Singh, and the District Collector, Mr. Rajeshwar Tiwari, inaugurated the exhibition. The Education Secretary, Mr. I.V. Subba Rao, who was the chief guest, said that the Government was considering including science fairs into the curriculum and award grades/marks for the same.

Mr. Rajeshwar Tiwari pointed out that the Government would be spending Rs. 30 crores for starting 583 new schools and developing school infrastructure, particularly in slum areas.

Mr. Manmohan Singh called for inculcating scientific temper among children and bringing science to the doorsteps of people. The District Education Officer, Mr. Yesupadam, also spoke. The fair would be on till Thursday.

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Section  : Southern States
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