Whether it’s the law of gravity or something as simple as switching on a light bulb, science has left its imprint on our lives in more ways than one.
On November 6, the BMICH was filled with science enthusiasts from schools all over, for the World Science Day – Schools Programme 2009 organized by the National Science Foundation.
Numerous activities were carried out were under the theme of “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for National Development” and the winners of the Science Day competitions (which ranged from manual posters, digital posters to the more unusual role play and digital story telling competitions), National Olympiad competitions, Science Research Project competitions and the National winners of the Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair were presented with awards.
The dignitaries who graced the occasion emphasized the importance of laying science and technology as the foundation for growth in the country. The significance of identifying and encouraging innovation and talent from a school level and harnessing it appropriately was also highlighted upon.
“The general scientific concepts are well known by most students. It is the hard core concepts which need to be made aware of, among them,” said Rohini Wijeyaratne, Head of the Science Popularization Division speaking to the Mirror Magazine about the awareness of the subject on a country wide level. With local students participating in international competitions and already making their presence felt, Rohini explained that the country has the talent to compete with the rest of the world and that it was a matter of identifying this talent, encouraging it and giving it room to grow.
The objective of this programme was to popularize science among students and help equip the future decision makers of tomorrow.
Jayani Suriyapperuma, a teacher of Ramasinghe Vidyalaya, Kelaniya, explained that these events also give lesser known schools an opportunity to shine. “Our school is a small school with only 500 or so students. They have little or no way of shining in academics in comparison to other schools, but with events like these the children are able to showcase their abilities which would otherwise go unnoticed” said Jayani, a recipient of the Teacher’s Award in Science.
Awards for School Science Societies based on their performance and the NSF Award for teachers for promoting science amongst school children were also distributed at the event.
The rudiment of science lies in thought, which is fuelled by play of mind and watered and nurtured with innovation and growth. With technology and science moving at a dizzying pace, we can hope that Sri Lanka will one day mould the Newtons, Curies and Einsteins of tomorrow. |
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