Science congress concludes with advice for wise tech use

Our correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 24 (EMN): Technology will improve the people’s lives but they are not able to use it properly. ‘Do not be slaves to technology but let technology be your slave.’
The advice was given by Menukhol John, principal secretary of School Education and SCERT, at the 27th state-level National Children’s Science Congress that was conducted on October 24 at the Gorkha Public Panchayat Hall at Chandmari in Kohima.

The programme was of the National Council of Science and Technology Communication, department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.

The program was organised by the Nagaland Institute of Health Environment and Social Welfare (NIHESW) on the theme ‘science, technology and innovation for a clean, green and healthy nation.’

Students from the districts of Phek, Kohima, Dimapur, Peren, and Zunheboto participated in the programme. 19 projects were presented by the students. The eight best teams were selected to represent the state at a similar programme during December 27-31 at Trivandrum.

“We have to plan out and see that these kinds of programmes are carried on a larger scale in the coming years and we have to start participating at a larger level,” John said, requesting the teachers to play a greater role on such matters. ‘Our children are very innovative and bright and they are the best,’ he said, also urging students to trust and believe in themselves.

“All of you are winners in our eyes and that is one message I want you to carry home: There is nothing that we lack in terms of science and technology but in terms of innovations, there are times when we do not let our minds ignite but given a chance, everyone has the capacity and skill to do it.’”

The official told the students to also eat and live healthy and be ambassadors of change by keeping the environment clean and green. “One innovative thing children and student can do as we go back to our own schools is a simple innovation of keeping the classrooms ready for use the next day and bring friendly environment to our classrooms,” he told them.

John challenged the students to try to innovate to see how they can make the lives of their parents easier and also to rise up and make a change for fellow citizens.

Vizovol Mekro, director of the NIHESW remarked, ‘We are not managing to instil interest in the field of science to the students.’ He urged the schools across the state to take part in this kind of programmes as “we are behind in terms of science as compared to other states.”

Santu Thapa, state coordinator of the National Children’s Science Congress for Nagaland, suought support from the government in the upcoming competition which will be held in Kerala in December. “Since we are from a hilly area, our expenses are always higher,” he commented.

Pallab Changkakoti, state academic coordinator, said the NCSC is a platform for children to showcase their talents by doing small research activities. Children who are not formally enrolled in educational institutions can also take part in the programme.

The types of projects presented by students were survey-based and experimental. The main objective of the program is to give a forum to children of the age group 10-17 years to showcase their creativity and innovativeness, and particularly their ability to solve through scientific methods problems that are experienced locally.