Ahmedabad: Creating interest and excitement in science and nurturing a new generation of scientists is essential to achieve the goals of the inclusive growth for sustainable development for future.

Children’s early science experiences are the foundation for future science learning and comprehension — throughout their school years, career and life.

With this aim, about 18,000 school children, with the age group of 10 – 17 years, from 33 districts of Gujarat, prepared 2000 plus science projects on the focal theme “Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development: with special emphasis on Accessibility for Persons with Disability” at the District Level Children Science Congress programme.

The child scientists have categorically prepared and presented the research projects on the seven sub themes including (i) Natural Resource Management, ii) Food and Agriculture, (iii) Energy, (iv) Health, Hygiene and Nutrition, (v) Disaster Management, (vi) Lifestyles and Livelihoods and (vii) Traditional Knowledge Systems.

Out of this a total of 363 scientific projects with 500 child scientists and guide teachers have been selected to participate in the 24th Gujarat State Level National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) at Gujarat Vidyapitha, Ahmedabad during 26 – 28 October 2016. Attempt has been made to encourage the differently abled children to take part in the programme along with the normal children.

NCSC is a programme of National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of India and being organized every year since 1993.

Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), working under the aegis of the Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat is the nodal organization to organize and coordinate the NCSC programme in the State.

GUJCOST has launched the Children Science Congress programme in 11th August 2016 followed by a series of orientation programmes for district coordinators, academic coordinators and teachers in all districts. The district level Children Science Congress was organized in support of District Education Officers and Community Science Centres.

The 24th Gujarat State Level National Children’s Science Congress 2016 is going to be inaugurated by Dr. Sandhya Thakar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor (I/C), Gujarat Vidyapitha on Wednesday, 26th October 2016 at 17.00 hrs in Gujarat Vidyapitha. Dr. Arunbhai Dave, Founder of Lok Bharati, Dr. Bharat Pathak, Formal Director, GEER Foundation and State Academic Coordinator along with many distinguished guests and faculties will grace as the inaugural session and interact with child scientists.

GUJCOST has a panel of 16 scientific jury members, invited from different scientific institutions who will evaluate the presentations of the child scientists. The best part of this programme is that the children are to present their projects in their mother language.

The jury members from physical challenged institutions are also there to understand the sign language of differently-able child scientists.

The two-day state level programme will include presentations by child scientists on the theme, poster presentation, and face-to-face interactive sessions with eminent scientists, guided tour to Gujarat Vidyapitha along with cultural presentations.

After two-days of deliberation at the state level, finally, a team of 35 child scientists and guide teachers will be selected to participate in the 24th National Children Science Congress to be held at VIIT, Baramati, Maharashtra during 27 – 31st December 2016.

– Communication