The competition was conducted only for students of classes VI and IX across the state and awards were given out by the Mumbai Science Teachers' Association.
The Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha auditorium in Dadar boomed with excited cackle of 36 students. After all, it isn't every day that one gets to be called a scientist while still in school.
The students, 21 from Class VI and 15 from Class IX, beat 34,000 others to pick up a gold medal for excellence in the subject of science on Sunday at the Dr Homi Bhabha Junior and Senior Scientists Competition.
The competition, which began last September, was conducted only for students of classes VI and IX across the state and awards were given out by the Mumbai Science Teachers' Association.
Shrikant Shingare, a treasurer of the association who is also a science teacher, said, "The first stage comprised a written examination with objective-type questions, for which around 34,000 students from across the state appeared."
The judges narrowed down on 2,800 of them for a practical round of scientific experiments. Finally, 299 students were shortlisted to design an innovative science project on a given topic. This was followed by personal interviews.
"The panel of judges for the final round comprised experts from scientific organisations such as the Homi Bhabha Science Centre, the Nehru Science Centre, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and science professors from different city colleges," said Shingare.
Class VI students were told to base their project design on sustainable food production. Those shortlisted from Class IX were given the topic of e-waste management.
Pratap Thorat, president of the association, said, "Every year, topics given for the final round are related to contemporary environmental issues facing us. The objective is to look at fresh ideas that these young talents come up with."
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