IRIS National Science Fair, Bangalore 2013

The team… From L to R: Sarah Kagzi, Adrija Misra, Dhruv Sheth, Nakul Goenka, Abhimanyu P.S., Rehaan Kaul, Ms. Malvika Deo, Anjali Savansukha, Zuni Chopra, Rohildev P.V., Shourya Agarwal.

The IRIS National Science Fair for 2013-14 was held in Bangalore from 21st November 2013 to 24th November 2013 and five teams from DAIS who had qualified at the Regional level competed at this National level competition in two categories – Computer Sciences (CS) and Physics (PH). This was the first time that IRIS had participants from four other major Science fairs in the country: CBSE Science Exhibition, Jawarharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children, National Children’s Science Congress and National Council of Science Museum. The National Fair had 130 projects competing against each other for being a part of Team India to represent the nation in Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) organized by NASA in the US.

Nakul Goenka & Rehaan Kaul

The first day of the competition was for setting up the stall which was followed by a formal inauguration of the event. After the inauguration, the participants were taken to a venue where they were briefed on the judging criteria by the Scientific Review Committee (SRC). While the participants were in the session, a safety check was carried for all the stalls.

The first day of the competition was for setting up the stall which was followed by a formal inauguration of the event. After the inauguration, the participants were taken to a venue where they were briefed about the judging criteria by the Scientific Review Committee (SRC). While the participants were in the session, a safety check was carried for all the stalls and those who had not followed the rules had to get them fixed before leaving the venue to avoid disqualification.

Anjali Savansukha & Zuni Chopra

Sarah Kagzi & Adrija Misra

Abhimanyu P.S. & Dhruv Sheth

The second day was the judging day. This day, the guides / supervisors could meet the students only during lunch. In the first two and a half hours in the morning, the participants were divided into three groups and were made to attend 40 minute sessions on nanotechnology, space science etc. in rotation. While this was on, the judges went in the exhibition hangers for a re-judging round. After lunch, only the participants were let in the exhibition hangers where they found some encouraging cards on their stalls along with the judging timing sheet specifying the names of the judges and the time they would visit the stall for formal judging. The students faced various questions from the judges for 5 hours! This was the most tiring day. To reduce the stress caused by this session, there was a grand party arranged thereafter where students danced to their favorite music.

The third day was a public viewing day. There were more than 7000 visitors during the whole day and the participants explained their projects to the visitors. On the last day, some guest invitees visited the stalls in the morning. There was a balloons releasing session signifying the successful ending of the program. Students then moved to the auditorium for the exciting part- results of the fair. This excitement multiplied as we heard the names of two of our members - Abhimanyu P.S. and Dhruv Sheth- to receive a special prize for Physics and Astronomy. Before this excitement settled, we heard the names of the other two members – Sarah Kagzi and Adrija Misra- to receive a bronze award. A few minutes later, again Abhimanyu P.S. and Dhruv Sheth were called on stage for a silver award. This was the most exhilarating experience!

The trip, on the whole, was quite a learning experience for the students. They had an opportunity to meet several different students, got to know about their projects and could reflect better on their own projects. All of them returned home with a determination to do better the next year!

The Bronze award to Sarah Kagzi & Adrija Misra

The Special award in Physics and Astronomy to Abhimanyu P.S. & Dhruv Sheth

The Silver award to Abhimanyu P.S. and Dhruv Sheth