Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students to compete in AWIM Olympics

CHENNAI: Come November, class VI students from different parts of the country will come to the city to be part of the national final of ‘AWIM Olympics 2008.’

The students are from schools that are part of ‘A World in Motion (AWIM),’ a programme with the objective of bringing together teachers, students and industry volunteers to explore the realm of physical science, while addressing essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) international, a professional organisation for mobility engineering professionals, has designed the curriculum for AWIM.

SAE India started this initiative in India with the support of SAE International in 2006. Now it is spread across the country to cover 50 schools and 3,000 students.

In Chennai, Ashok Leyland facilitates implementation of the programme in nearly 15 schools.

As part of the programme kits with different material are given to the children, to encourage them to design and construct their own vehicles, using scientific concepts learnt in class.

According to a spokesperson of SAE India, students would be given tasks such as constructing a JetToy car that can carry a specific amount of weight using materials supplied in the AWIM kit. However, teams are allowed to have their own decoration materials like colour papers, paints and so on.

“The qualifying round is being held at different regions. Teams that are short-listed will make it to the national final which will be held on November 18,” he said.

While the selection for the southern section will be held in early November, similar rounds have been held in other regions as well.

“Teams from places like Pune, Nasik and Delhi will participate,” he said.

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