The 17th National Children Science Congress (NCSC), a national-level academic event, will be organised for the first time in Gujarat at Ahmedabad between December 27 and 31, 2009. Gujarat Council of Science City, in association with SGVP International School, Ahmedabad, will host the five-day prestigious scientific programme. All the activities during the conference will revolve around the central theme of 'Planet Earth - Our Home, Explore, Care and Share'.
The programme is organised every year in different states during the same period with support from National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Department of Science & Technology, government of India. NCSC is designed to encourage children's involvement in the process of scientific innovation. Children in the age group of 10-17 will take part in the conference.
While giving outline of this unique programme, Anandiben Patel, minister of Revenue, Disaster Management, Roads and Buildings, Capital Project, Women and Child Welfare said, "This programme will provide a forum to young aspiring scientists to pursue their natural curiosity and to quench their thirst for creativity by experimenting on open-ended problems. While encouraging children to visualize future of the nation and helping them in building a generation of sensitive and responsible citizens, it will also stimulate scientific temperament and throw light on various scientific principles."
The NCSC has gained popularity not only in India but also in foreign countries. Around 100 'child scientists' along with their escorting teachers from SAARC countries will attend the 17th NCSC. Apart from the 800 selected child scientists from India and abroad, over 50,000 local students are expected to take part in the various programmes organised during the event. Moreover, different scientific institutions from within and outside Gujarat will take part in the scientific exhibition highlighting science, technology and society interface, to mark the event.
Ravi Saxena, principal secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, said: "NCSC will enable the participants to think on some significant problem, ponder over its cause and subsequently try to solve the problem by using the scientific process."
An opportunity to interact with prominent scientists of the country will enable the children to satisfy their curiosity about various scientific issues. This interactive session will be a major attraction of the summit. The scientists, who will give answers, include, Prof Yashpal, Dr Narendra Sehgal, Dr JN Goswami, Prof Abhijit Sen, Dr RR Navalgund, Dr Saroj Ghose, and Dr Samar Bagchi.
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