e_Paper, Monday, October 17, 2016

18
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016
DT
Education
Dhanmondi Tutorial’s Science Fair 2016
• Mehtaz Karim
With science
developing at such a
rapid pace, the evergrowing
curiosity
that bubbles away in young
minds, also accelerates alongside
it. Be it the mystery behind
colours, the chemistry behind
water or the physics behind
friction – the desire to know more
has probably never been greater.
The custom of organising
science fairs has long been a
well-loved and staunch tradition
in primary, secondary and
schools, especially with the
attendance of high-profile guests
of honour, ranging from media
personalities to local politicians.
Both English and Bangla
medium schools in Bangladesh go
all-out with their annual science
fairs and Dhanmondi Tutorial
is no exception. Their Annual
Science Fair was held earlier
this month on October 5. With
more than 45 projects – diligently
prepared and presented by the
students – the event turned out to
be quite a success, surpassing the
success of even last years event,
much to the thrill and excitement
Technology and Engineering
at Dhaka University, Dr A F
M Yusuf Haider, Ex Pro VC of
Dhaka University; Dr Dilruba
Huq, Department of Applied
Chemistry, Dhaka University and
Dr Ahmed Ismail Mustafa, Ex
Chairman of BCSIR.
Students from class seven
came up with projects like
geodesic domes, natural
projector, hydraulic gripper,
hydro electric power and many
more. Though time was a crucial
obstacle, the enthusiasm of
the diligent students and their
guiding teachers were no match
fascinating projects such as bio
plastic from banana peels, battery
from coins, a car powered by
water, to name a few.
One of the biggest hits at the
science fair was the “human
flashlight”. True to its curious
name, which justifiably piqued
the interest of all the visitors
and guest, the project featured a
unique flash-light that took heat
from human bodies to generate
electricity with the help of peltier
tiles and a circuit. Another
fascinating project features a
water-powered car, in which,
water was split up through the
While the invention is still in its
demo phase, it has the potential
to be quite a useful gadget in
the real world, if used by law
enforcement agencies. The
students of class eleven also
came up with an array of fun
and interactive projects, some of
which included using Arduino
programming to connect visitors
with the computer and setting
up fun, motion sensing games,
a piano where cups full of water
acted as keys, a selfie booth were
people had to shake a slice of
cheese (instead of saying cheese)
to send a signal to the camera
higher-secondary educational
institutions in countries all across
the globe. Many schools take
great pride in organising grand
day-long or even week-long
events, turning it almost into
a competition to out-do other
of teachers, students and parents.
The event was attended by
celebrities in the world of science
who also participated in the
science fair as part of the judging
panel. The judges included Dr
Rafiqul Islam, Dean, Faculty of
in terms of coming up with
unique projects. On the other
hand, the students of class eight
created their exhibits based
around the theme of environment
friendly ways of using everyday
articles, which included
process of electrolysis, thereby
acquiring hydrogen, which was
used as fuel for the car, and
oxygen, which was emitted into
the environment!
With their O Levels only a
few months away, the students
of class nine showcased their
scientific prowess through the
creation of an “i-car”, which
consisted of cameras and could
be controlled using a remote.
and take a photo, and many other
exciting and engaging exhibits.
Overall, the Dhanmondi Tutorial
Science Fair 2016 proved to be
quite the success, with visitors and
guests sharing in the enthusiasm
of the presenting students and
their proud teachers. As always,
the event provided the students
with a great opportunity to bring
out their inner ‘mad scientist’ and
go wild. •