Young Bhutanese Scientists

The 2014 Cluster II Science & Technology Exhibition in Bajothang is the grandest I have ever seen. Children from twelve higher secondary schools have broken many barriers though there is no denying that we are still caught in the box by international standards.

The chief guest, Madam Secretary took special interest in every exhibit and often remarked in amazement: "You should patent it". Each school presented three exhibits each and the result was calculated from the average of three

The winner was Ugyen Academy took home a cash prize of Nu.25,000. They presented a Multipurpose Machine- a washing machine and spinner, grinder, rice mill and water pump- run by paddle connected to series of gears. The carpentry and welding works are done so beautifully that it ought to win.

1. Multipurpose Machine, Ugyen Academy

The team also presented a concept of traffic signal that is a result of complex algorithm of circuits.

1. Traffic Light Concept, Ugyen Academy

And their third exhibit was a solar food dryer that they claim can also be used as cooker. They have also brought along a TV disc that can also heat water. But since only three exhibits were allowed they must have presented either of the two, anyway they were declared the winner! Congratulations.

1. TV Disc and Food Dryer, Ugyen Academy

The first runners up was explosive literally, it's my school Bajothang. They have made an anti fire ball, which when thrown in fire will explode and extinguish the fire. The demonstration impressed many people but the idea to me seemed imitated.

2. Anti Fire Ball, Bajothang HSS

Next was a Mop on the Wheel. This can be driven across the floor and the wheel will help turn the sponge that will clean the floor, the handle has a pair of switches to spray water and soap on the floor.

2. Mechanical Mop, Bajothang HSS

 Our third exhibit was a traditional grinder (rangtha) driven by gears connected to paddle.

2. Grinder, Bajothang HSS

Second runners up was Gelephu Higher Secondary School who were more into chemistry, they demonstrated the procedure to extract vinegar from bamboo.

3. Bamboo Vinegar Extractor

and also show us how to make bio-plastic from potato. The plastic can be fried into chips after use or cook as curry lol.

3. Bio Plastic

And they impressed us with their miniture robotic bull. The bull is run by series of motors and can be maneavured into any direction including reverse.  They took home Nu.15,000.

3. Robotic Bull, Gelephu HSS

I will share about the rest of the exhibits after I finish compiling the official report. Some of them are even better than the ones I have shown here, but they couldn't win because the result is based on the average of all three exhibits.

How Are Scientists Made?

Does it take a scientist to invent a scientist? Seemingly yes because we never had a Bhutanese Scientist and therefore we don't have another. There is no inspirational figure to look up to for the students who are pursuing science. The highest dream they can dare is a mere MBBS. I don't know if the science we teach in school is only capable of making children dream as far as engineering college or medical college. Invention cannot be taught of course but how is it inspired?

School Science Exhibition is perhaps one obvious optional answer. By that I don't mean those namesake events where children do imitations of steam boat, waste chemicals from science lab to replicate volcanic eruption (for the thousandth time) or make a rocket with plastic bottle and football pump that will only fly two meters high.

School science exhibitions have reached new heights now. Children now make chopping and grinding machines with renewable energy, solar mobile phone charger, bicycle mop, and prototype of very futuristic machines. I am very excited to see what other 11 schools will come up with at the 2014 Science & Technology Exhibition in my school on May 10, 2014. These schools are coming from eight different dzongkhags.

The Logo images are not original, integration is :)

Each school will showcase three exhibits, which were the best from their own school exhibitions. The winning school takes home Nu.25,000 and load of inspiration. Sadly it stops there. Because unlike in other countries no company takes part to see if there are some inventions they could invest in. I hope this happens down the line.

We could go that far to bring in companies but at least we have taken the first step toward making the Science Exhibition very scientific. The judges we are bringing in are not only science lovers but some of them have inspiring inventions in their names. Two of the judges will present their inventions and brave attempts to the expected 72 budding student scientists on May 9, 2014. 

The venue my school has set up will win every heart that comes here, every little soul is hard at work these few days to make the place so welcoming that no one would want to go back. The school intents to make the whole experience the most memorable and inspiring.

On the Exhibition day I will be photographing and compiling reports on every exhibit and I intent to share them here with you all. But if you are around or if you love science enough to come all the way to Bajothang from wherever you are, you are invited.