Science Expo 2013

Science Expo 2013:Don’t Miss It

First expo in the state to feature 100 stalls explaining science and how it affects our lives | By Yentha

On Feb 02, 2013

Trivandrum: Ranging from Indian Defence hardware such as missiles and SoNAR devices to medicinal plants and space technology, around 100 stalls of ‘Sastra Jalakam’ displaying science that surrounds our life. Every stall showcases various dynamic dimensions of Science in a friendly and easy-to-understand way. A must see for all, especially children. Let’s check this out in some detail. Perhaps you would know what not to miss. The DRDO pavilion displays technology used in the defence system in India. The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is the star of the expo as it has robots running around doing errands! Children find these fascinating. These robots can go where no man has gone before – a la Star Trek! In our terms these can easily access places where soldiers can’t. These were designed for the Indian Army. Snake robo (Snake shaped robot), Omni Hexabot (spider shaped robot but have only six legs) and Mini Mule Robo are some of the robots in town. Apart from robots, DRDO pavilion also displays replicas of unmanned planes (Nishant and Lakshya), INS Sagardhwani, etc. S K Das, a CAIR scientist explained voice recording software to us, “We use biometrics in Indian defence to detect the voice of a person. The system works in the same way as the human brain, because, human brain has the power to recognise sound if once heard.” Centre for Water Resource Development Management displays techniques of rain water harvesting while National Transport Research Centre shows the do’s and don’ts during driving. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation displays different varieties of rice available throughout the nation. The same stall also displays and makes us aware of the endangered and rare species in nature. Right from school students to researchers were equally keen and enthusiastic in explaining and endorsing biogas as it is the need of the day. There were four stalls dedicated to biogas plants. Organic medicines, indigenously developed water purifiers, utility items prepared from coir and rubber (mostly developed by individual innovators) are also a big draw here. Kids of Nature Club from Carmel Girls Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum have a stall with a slogan ‘Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’. The stall is a colourful one with beautiful handicrafts made of plastic pens, pen tops, news papers, plastic bottles, etc. They have pen stands, bangles, chains made of such materials. It was unbelievable that some of the art were done by third standard students.

Students of Palakad Government Vocational Higher Secondary School are competing with engineers and scientists at the expo. The young innovative brains have developed a pen with a tester. They are also selling these pens for Rs.10 ‘Innoaction India’ (An institute to motivate school children) are behind this. Jawaharalal Nehru Tropical Garden and Research Institute, Earth Science Study, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Ayurveda College, Mannam, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Kerala State Bio-divesity Department, Indian Postal Department, Mohandas College of Engineering, World Wildlife Fund have their stalls exhibiting various aspects of science. While talking to Yentha Sooraj (a visitor) said, “This expo is an excellent platform for budding scientists. This expo makes me remember my school days and how enthusiastically we participated in such exhibitions.” ‘Sastra Jalakam’ inaugurated by Oommen Chandy (Chief Minister), is being jointly organised by Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and Technopark under the supervision of Jawaharalal Nehru Tropical Garden and Research Institute. The expo will wind up on Sunday, February 3.