In order to build science consciousness in the society, social organization Durgapur Adda Young Association started “Marie Curie – Meghnad Saha Science Conference” this year in honor of two world famous scientists Marie Curie and Meghnad Saha. This is probably the first Science Conference in Durgapur.
Around 200 students of 6 Bengali medium schools participated in the 1st “Mary Curie – Meghnad Saha Science Conference” which saw science model presentation, discussion on recent progress in various fields of science, sit-n-draw competition and debate. The daylong programme was held on 9th November at Bidhan Bhavan in Durgapur Steel Township.
After the welcome speech of the secretary of the organization, Chief Scientist of CSIR-CMRI Dr. Somnath Mukherjee, introduced a very difficult subject of relativity to all present in the auditorium in such a way that the students became interested in it.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Basu, former headmaster of the Hindu School and Dr. Punarbasu Chowdhury, a member of the South Pole and North Pole Indian Exploration Team and a professor at the University of Kolkata, gave a conversation-based presentation on environment, biodiversity and adaptation which captivated the audience. Pictures and videos on polar research in particular took the presentation to a new height.
Dr. Shubhashis Mukherjee, a former professor at the University of Calcutta, focuses on this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics by Roger Penrose, Andrea Gage and Reinhard Gengel’s research on the black hole.
Water conservation or Air conservation, was the theme of the Sit-n-Draw competition. 19 students took part in it. The best three drawings were awarded (not evaluated as the first, second and third, but as best three). The winners are Sheikh Shaheen Hossain (Laudoha KTB Institution), Tiyasa Garai (Steel City Meghnad Saha School) and Tumpa Nayak (Durgapur Girls High School).
The theme of the debate was, “Lockdown is unnecessary to deal with Covid”; 14 students took part in it. The best three were awarded (not evaluated as the first, second and third, but as best three). The winners are Arina Bhattacharya (Durgapur Girls High School), Arijit Ghatak (Laudoha KTB Institution) and Shauvik Mukherjee (Durgapur RE College Model High School);.
Eleven science models were exhibited by the students of various schools. Model from Laudoha KTB Institution, Durgapur RE College Model High School and Bidhannagar Government Sponsored Girls High School were adjudged the three best models (not evaluated as the first, second and third, but as best three).
Lunch was arranged for the participating school students and guests.
The attentiveness with which the students attend the entire program and listen to the discussions of eminent scientists is very encouraging. DAYA is determined to hold this conference on a larger scale next year.