Inspiring Interest in Science

The Pran Mango Fruit Drink Science Festival turned Adamjee Cantonment College (ACC) into a science hub. Between September 16 and 17, long banners of the festival decorated the buildings and posters with tidbits of scientific knowledge dotted the corridors. The campus was abuzz with young science enthusiasts exhibiting their ideas through wall magazines and projects. 

The festival was organised by the Neutrino ACC Science Club (NASC). Its title sponsor was Pran Mango 

Fruit Drink; magazine sponsors were Kishor Alo and SHOUT; and radio partners were Radio Shadhin and Jagofm.net. 

On the first day, students from education institutions in Dhaka took part in project display, wall magazine display, Olympiads on various subjects, quizzes and Rubik's cube competitions. Visitors thronged the classrooms and listened with keen interest to the students' presentations.

The grand prize giving ceremony, held on the second day, brought the festival to a close. The chief guest was Brigadier General G.S.M. Hamidur Rahman, Commander of Adhoc Army Aviation Group and Chairman of the ACC governing body. The special guest was writer Anisul Hoque. In their speeches, both guests appreciated the endeavour. They said events like this helped students apply their classroom learning and therefore were very important. The Principal of the college, Brigadier General Tameem Ahmed Chowdhury OSP, NDC, PSC expressed his joy at being able to host the festival at ACC and thanked everyone for their cooperation. Then, they gave away the prizes. The winners were given crests and certificates. 

'Saving Electricity using DTMS' won the first prize among the IT projects. It showed how electricity flow could be turned on or off via phone calls. 'Algae to Bio-Fuel' was awarded first prize among non-mechanical projects. It demonstrated the cultivation of algae which could use the carbon dioxide gas produced by brick factories to produce bio-fuel. The mechanical project 'Match Box Headphone' also got a prize. To build the headphone, the students used everyday items like pencils and wires.  

Behind the scene, NASC put in a lot of effort to make the event a success. Club Moderator and Assistant Professor of the Physics Department, Mizanur Rahman, inspired ACC students to be participants and organisers. Support from the Principal also proved invaluable. Lastly, it was the students of the executive panel of NASC, led by their President Wasi Ahmad Ananto, who ensured that the festival progressed smoothly.

Beginning its journey on February 26, 2014, NASC has since then had its members participate in various events across Dhaka and organised International Math Week and a number of seminars with Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Dipen Bhattacharya in attendance. NASC is dedicated to generating knowledge among science students and hopes to arrange more events like this in the near future.

Maliyat is an ergophobic self-proclaimed sociopath. But she'll be nice enough, if you send her intelligent commentary at noormaliyat@gmail.com

PHOTOS: DARSHAN CHAKMA