Event to test science talent of students

Here is a good news for rural students of government schools, who are good at Science and have appeared for ninth standard examinations this month in the districts of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai, as they may get a chance to participate in a 20-day programme, ‘Young Students Scientist Programme’ (YSSP).

The programme will be organised under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) aimed at honing the science skills of students during the summer vacation.

As part of the initiative, students would get an insight into various scientific concepts by qualified faculty of higher educational institutions.

Dr W Adbul Wahid, Principal of the C Abdul Hakeem (CAH) College in Melvisharam said, the TNSCST had identified CAH College as a centre for conducting the programme. Prof P M Kavimani, member secretary of the TNSCST, in a communication said that a sum of `3 lakh had been allotted to the college for conducting the programme.

Similar programmes would be held across the State in 10 locations this year and this is the first time it is being held at the CAH college. Forty students each from Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts would be selected for the programme, which would commence from May 6, and the participant students have to be nominated by the respective schools before May 2. The students would be provided free boarding and lodging facilities at the college.

The training would focus on physics, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences and computer science. While theoretical instructions would be given in the morning sessions, in the afternoon practicals would be held at laboratories.

Guest lectures by experts and visits to scientific institutions and industries would  be a part of the programme. Students would also be allowed to try their hands at computers individually.

Each student would be guided by a mentor in pursuing a career in science. An expo of various models created by students would also be held as part of the valediction.

 Competitions and extra curricular activities would also be organized for the students to display their talent.The selected students will also be eligible to participate in the YSSP programme for the next two years

During the second year, towards the end of the programme, students would be divided into groups and would be made to work on science and technology projects in different disciplines.