NATIONAL CHILDREN'S SCIENCE CONGRESS 2019
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FOCAL THEME: 2018 AND 2019
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION FOR A 'CLEAN, GREEN & HEALTHY NATION
SUB THEMES
I. ECOSYSTEM AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
II. HEALTH, HYGIENE AND SANITATION
III. WASTE TO WEALTH
IV. SOCIETY, CULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS
V. TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS (TKS)
CHILDREN SCIENTIST REGISTRATION
What is a Scientific Project
A scientific project is a study of a problem carried out with a objective of finding out a solution of the problem. It involves defining the problem, making the hypothesis, observation, collection of data through survey or experimentation, its analysis and then arriving at conclusion to find out the solution.
A scientific study paves the way for a practical solution of a vexed problem. The approach needs to be well planned and systematic otherwise errors may creep in, leading to aggravation of problem than to its solution. Jumping to quick and erroneous conclusions are considered to be unethical in scientific studies.
How to do a good project
Make a group of like minded people numbering not more than five. They may belong to your school or your locality.
Discuss amongst your group the activity you all would like to do. It will be good and satisfying for you all if you take up a local specific issue. Community interaction and cooperation is also expected in all cases. Never select a project that does not give you satisfaction and scope for learning new things.
Depending upon the subject area chosen, now it is time to look for a guide. The person could be your teacher, experienced NCSC participant or any of your family member. Do not let the guide to work for your project. He/She has to be a path finder only.
Analyse the problem and make a work plan. Divide your responsibilities. It is good to discuss the questionnaire, design of experiments, method of community interaction etc. amongst your group. Keep interacting with team member, guide teacher regularly. Do accept critical suggestions which improve outcome of your project.
Do not derive big conclusions as you are working in a small area with a small sample size. Do not generalise your observations/conclusions.
Create community awareness of about your findings and try finding out solutions. You may use media to focus attention of your authorities to help solving the problem, but first have discussions or give representations to the involved authority(ies).
Try finding ways and means of solving the problem by scientific inputs and community involvement. Keep proper records of your made by you and interest shown by them. This will not only help in making your project report but in the follow-up action with higher authorities/community.
If one strategy or solution does not work try finding out alternative. Do not give recommendations only. You must try implementing of at least a few suggested recommendations first.
You may not succeed in the efforts made to solve the problem but you should be able to find possible bottleneck in implementing your suggested strategy. Keep your record of them
Once you are working in a group you all have contributed in doing the activity. All should respect and value the efforts made by your team members. Each one of the team members has total understanding about the project, but due to certain logistic reasons only one person is allowed to come to the state/national level. All you should sit together and decide who will represent your group at state and national level. This does not in any way negate efforts of other team members. In the evaluation procedure, co-operation within the team and also community plays and important role in the selection of the proposals.
Once you are working in a group you all have contributed in doing the activity. All should respect and value the efforts made by your team members. Each one of the team members has total understanding about the project, but due to certain logistic reasons only one person is allowed to come to the state/national level. All you should sit together and decide who will represent your group at state and national level. This does not in any way negate efforts of other team members. In the evaluation procedure, co-operation within the team and also community plays and important role in the selection of the proposals.
Proper documentation will help you in presentation of your report. For writing the project report read the section on 'How to write a project report'.
You are supposed to present important findings or innovative procedures with the help of posters. Do not take help of any professional artist for the same. Each poster should be self contained. The posters should be well labeled giving title of project, participants. These posters not only help you while making presentation but also help other children who could not make participate during your presentation to understand and appreciate your work.
Note that in NCSC projects which are innovative (in idea or even methodology) only draw attention Do not spend money on video/audio recording, DTP of your presentation, making unnecessary slides. These display methods do not attract the evaluators.
You may spend money on
developing some gadget, working model(s)
material for awareness generation
The project which keep continuing even after completion of NCSC tenure for a particular year, are source of attraction of evaluators and community. Keep your state coordinators informed about such work even if you are above 17 and cease to be participant of NCSC.
Themes Covered so far
1993 : Know Your Environment
1994 & 1995 : Clean-Up-India
1996 & 1997 : India is our Dream – Let’s go for it.
1998 & 1999 : Nature – Let’s Care, Share & Conserve
2000 & 2001 : Indigenous Scientific Knowledge for a better tomorrow
2002 & 2003 : Food System towards nutrition for all.
2004 & 2005 : Harness Water Resources for our Future.
2006 & 2007 : Biodiversity: Nurture Nature for our Future
2008 & 2009 : Planet Earth: Explore, Share and Conserve
2010 & 2011 : Land Resources: Use for Prosperity, Save for Posterity
2012 & 2013 : Energy: Explore, Harness and Conserve
2014 & 2015 : Understanding Weather and Climate.
2016 & 2017 : Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development.
2018 & 2019 : Science, Technology and Innovation for A Clean, Green and Healthy Nation.
Who is eligible
Eligibility Criteria for Participants
This is a forum open to young scientists in the age group of 10-17 years as on December 31 of the calendar year. This event of NCSC is not restricted to the school-going children only but is also open for the non-school children from the marginalized sections of the society who can be involved as team members.
It is open for children in the age of 10 years to 14 years (lower age group) and from 14+ years to 17 years (upper age group) as on December 31 of the calendar year.
A group of children not exceeding two can do the project study under a guide teacher.
A child scientist, who had already presented as a Group Leader at the National Level in one age group can act as a co-worker in the subsequent year, in the same age group (lower / upper).
Parents, whose child would participate in the Children’s Science Congress in the ensuing year, should not hold any portfolio in the organizing committee of the CSC conducted at any level.
Events
"25th National Children’s Science Congress 2019 will be held between 27th to 31st December, 2019 at the venue at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Shri Sujit Banerjee, Scientist F,has been given the charge for coordinating the activities related to NCSC as National Programme Coordinator.
Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor (GUJCOST) and State Coordinator (NCSC, Gujarat), will be the Coordinator during the National event of 25th NCSC at the Host Institution (GUUJCOST). He may be reached at – Tel: 079-23259362, 23259365, Mobile:09426490755, Email: narottam.sahoo@gmail.com
Evaluation Criteria
1. Originality of idea and concept:
A unique or novel project idea which attempts to answer a specific question - (a hypothesis driven by curiosity to understand any concept related to focal theme). The idea should not be an exact replication of model project as printed in the Activity Guide. A proper explanation of origin of the idea may be demanded by the evaluator.
2. Relevance of the project to the theme:
This section focuses on how the project is relevant to the focal theme/sub-theme.
3. Scientific understanding of the issue:
Refers to the extent of knowledge the child scientist has in relation to the project idea.
4. Data collection:
Systematic collection of information using relevant tools/interviews/questionnaire. Sample size should be sufficient to support the issues under study.
5. Analysis:
This includes tabulation, categorization/classification, and simple statistics as applicable to the study.
6. Experimentation/Scientific study/validation:
Conducting of experiments/field study and validation applying simple methods of science. Experiment need not be every sophisticated or lab based, they could be simple,self developed and inexpensive too.
7. Interpretation and Problem solving attempt:
To what extent the team has addressed the proposed hypothesis and the issue of the locality through the project.
8. Team work:
It refers to work division, cooperation and sharing among and beyond the team members (the child scientists).
9. Background correction (Only for District level):
In this case the background of the children is verified like geographical location of their school, village, town etc. in relation to infrastructure, information and other input related facilities available with them. The logic is that children from difficult geographical situation must get some weightage in comparison to the children from advantageous geographical location. Non-school going children should also get some weightage in this criterion
10. Report and Presentation:
Written Report and Oral Presentation are evaluated separately. Reports are evaluated for its systematic presentation, tabulation of data in support of the project idea and the clarity with which the study is documented and explained. A Log Book(actually a Daily Diary) is mandatory and should be authenticated over the signature of the guide teacher daily. The cover page of the Log Book should carry the names of the child scientists, the district and the Sate, in English. Marks awarded for the presentation covers question and answer with evaluators, presentation of charts/posters, illustrations and other visuals.
11. Follow up Action Plan (Only for State level):
The child scientists should try to find out scientific solution to the bothering problem. Has the team conveyed the message to the community? How it was communicated? Will effort continue to involve more people till the problem is solved? Was any action plan suggested? Credit shall be given for similar efforts.
12. Improvement from the previous level (Only for State level):
This is to encourage the child scientists towards their continuous involvement with the project for its improvement. Improvements on the work from District to state level and then from State level to the national level will be given marks separately. The evaluators shall specify the areas of improvement on a separate sheet of paper.
13. Additional page(s):
These must be there in the Project Report with detail description of works of improvement done after the previous level (particularly on the basis of the evaluators’ suggestion in the previous level).