Science and Technology for Sustained Development: A zonal science exhibition
There was excitement in the air on 21 January 2020 as Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Kalina, Mumbai, proudly played host to the Zonal Science Exhibition with the theme ‘Science and Technology for Sustained Development’ with 121 winning schools from Bandra to Dahisar showcasing 126 projects (representing wards H E/W, P, R E/W and ward KP E/W), participated with enthusiasm and pride under the watchful eyes of their Science teachers.
The hosting school was transformed into one big exhibition centre giving the basketball court a festive look befitting the occasion. Greeting the guests was the photo gallery where one could picture oneself as any of the great scientists you dare to be. There was also a ‘Garden of Hope’ picturing a beautiful green tomorrow, and a ‘Wall of Peace’ where you could share your own message of peace. Food and games stalls with mouth-watering snacks covered one end.
The Principal, Sr Josita Abraham, along with her able band of teachers, non-teaching staff, support staff, members of the PTA, and an enthusiastic bunch of girl volunteers saw weeks of planning, preparation, sweat and toil culminate into the extravaganza of the coming three days. Not a stone was left unturned in a joint effort to make the occasion the thumping success it turned out to be. Each day started with all heads bowed in prayer asking God’s blessings on all.
As the school band struck the first notes heralding the arrival of the esteemed guests, emcees for the day, Ms. Sharon and Ms. Nikita, confidently and seamlessly took all through the programme of the day. The corridor was lined with little girls dressed in costumes representing every state of India. With their charming smiles, they welcomed all in the language of the state they represented, while the dignitaries were led in by the school band. After the hoisting of the Zonal flag, the Chief Guest, senior nuclear scientist, Dr A. P. Jayaraman, cut the ribbon inaugurating the exhibition. He, along with the other dignitaries then viewed the inaugural project, a moving model of Chandrayaan 2.
A packed school hall was soon treated to a beautiful song by the secondary school teachers, followed by an exquisite Indian dance by the girls of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School. Their warm welcome was followed by a catchy song on science written and composed by the music master of the school, Mr Bonnie, and sung by the girls. The school vice-captain, Carol D’Mello, now entertained the audience with a song of her own.
Day 2 started off on a quieter note with the serious business of evaluating the exhibits presented. Each project presented was a piece of brilliance on its own. To add to that, each project had a very confident bunch of students presenting the same. The day rocked once again with entertainment when two of the ninth graders, Saamiya Husein and Rakshita Acharya, held all in awe with some amazing science facts. The melodious voice of Snehal filled the hall with her rendition of Love You Zindagi. Confident Ms. Mischel and Ms. Lillian were the comperes of the day.
Even as the third day came in, the exhibition lost none of its lustre as the presenters with their carefully created projects stood ready for the questions of the day. The corridors and classrooms were full of eager budding scientists with parents and grandparents in tow, viewing each project and asking a multitude of questions. Each question, patiently answered, the visitors moved on satisfied and happy to have learnt so much more towards sustainable development and a sustainable future. Not all was spent on the serious stuff as both children and adults excitedly hit the game stalls, vying with each other to win.
With a few last minute tweaks in their presentations, the gracious and ever-smiling Ms. Lavina and effervescent Ms. Shrutika were to be the faces for the day with their anecdotes accompanying every announcement. Science facts were shared once again by Gargi Dhulekar and Nadashri Prasad and some skilled boombox rap titled Sciencerap was performed by young artistes Saamiya Husein, Carol D’Mello and Rakshita Acharya.
Among the many accolades received from the dignitaries by the host school, Mary Immaculate Girls School, Kalina, was also awarded the Best Event Organizing School Certificate.
The three-day event came to a happy end with the Pasaydan performed by Ms. Nikita and Ms. Shrutika of MIGHS. “Take a bow, Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Sr. Josita, and the able team members of the PTA, down to the youngest volunteer. You have done a great job and put up an excellent show!”