Understanding sciences beyond classrooms

BENGALURU: It was a festive but productive Saturday for more than 22,000 people who turned up for the annual Open Day organised at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus in Bengaluru.

While most inquisitive minds were fascinated by solutions and applications based on hundreds of science-related activities, some even went home happy after winning huge sums of money.

Fourteen-year-old Aradhya Kulshrestra bagged a total of Rs 40,000 after he was adjudged winner and runner-up for Roto Rescue and Roto GP respectively, two drone flying competitions held by the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

This ninth standard student at DPS (East) shared with Deccan Chronicle his delight on winning the competition after competing with older people. “Developing drones on my own and practising to fly them the most perfect way has become a career prospect, rather than a hobby when I began doing so. I aspire to get into the same Aerospace Engineering department to pursue my higher education which would equip me chase my dreams better,” said Aradhya soon after the results were announced.

The youngster has been on a winning spree this year after bagging prizes in similar competitions held at Amrita University and Bits Pilani among many.

E-rickshaws a hit

As many as eight Electric rickshaws were seen plying to and fro helping mainly the aged and the differently abled reach more than 80 locations within the campus where live experiments, demonstrations, exhibitions and various lectures were taking place.

“I felt lucky privileged being a senior citizen as I could compete with youngsters racing with time to witness and learn more from exhibitions and live demos placed,” said Mohanamma, a retired school teacher. The e-rickshaws were in campus on Saturday as part of the three-day trial run powered by sustainable mobility firm Transvahan Technologies.

Organisers happy with response

“In spite of the fact that the event fell amid the exam season, the turnout was overwhelming. We are happy that this event has helped students feed their curiosity towards understanding sciences in a more comprehensive manner apart from what is being taught to them from books,” said Dr K. Panneer Selvam, Joint Registrar.

For IISc students, the event turned out to be a day of learning, teaching and sharing. 

“We felt good to host the general public in our campus thereby helping them relate their day-to-day activities with science. This event has also created an awareness among many that science is not something that is related to a certain section of a society, but for all,” said Vyshnav Mohan, an under-graduate research student at IISc.