Karnataka schools bag 7,179 Inspire awards

BENGALURU: Karnataka schools have won the highest number of Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Researc h (Inspire) awards from the central department of science and technology. As many as 7,179 (14.2 %) students from Karnataka have been honoured with Rs 10,000 each for their innovative ideas.
As many as 41,272 students from Class 6-10 from across the country had applied for the award with their solutions fo r a local problem.

“A total of 50,279 awards have been given to students across the country. Karnataka got 7,179 awards putting the state on top of the list. It’s about unravelling the creative side of children and involving them in problem-solving mechanism,” said Chandrashekar HB, senior assistant director, Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT).

The ideas pitched by Karnataka’s students ranged from identifying chemicals in fruits to eco-friendly mobile charger to potato batteries. The primary and secondary education department had conducted many workshops for teachers with support of Agasthya International foundation (AIF) for ideation and to train students to take up projects.

B Sreevardhan, a class 9 stud ent from Uttarahalli government high school in Bengaluru south, proposed to develop a farmer-friendly equipment to test moisture level in soil. Harsha KR, a Class 9 student from Rajanakunte government high school, north Bengaluru, suggested ‘water-soaking streets with smart street lights’ while Kishan KS, Class 10 student of the same institution proposed a model— ‘energy from waste gases and chemical water power’.

Smitha Deshpande, incharge head mistress of the school, said“We did not get help from experts to train our students. Our science teacher trained them in the best possible way.”

The government will organise a state-level exhibition of the ideas chosen for the award in Dharavad, Bengaluru, Mysuru divisions between December 26 and 28.