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Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By A Representative 
A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. 
For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm.
Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention. 
The techno fest being organised in Balod has a huge significance. The district has the highest number of Atal Tinkering labs in the state. There are 38 such labs spread across many schools. Funded by the Government of India, these labs are part of the Atal Innovation Mission. The objective is to develop curiosity, creativity, and imagination in students.
Pankaj Kumar Soni is the nodal officer in charge of the Atal Tinkering labs in Balod. By profession, he is a physics school teacher. “The NITI Aayog is helping develop these labs to inculcate and enhance the spirit of curiosity among students at the national level. These labs have tools, robotic kits, sensors and so on. After the registration opened, both government and private schools registered for participating in the three categories: the first is for classes 6 to 8, second is for classes 9 and 10 and in the third category, there are classes 11 and 12.” 
All the models are complete and ready for display at the event to be visited and reviewed by district collector Indrajeet Singh Chandrawal and others. 
Student Adeeb Qureshi is in Class 12 and is participating in the fest. “Mr Soni, who is the nodal officer of the labs, told us about the techno fest and we were encouraged to make models to represent our school. I am participating with my friend Anish Kumar Patel.” 
The duo has developed an eight-legged spider robotics inspired from nature. “We focused on the real spider, and how it works and adapts to situations. The model can be used in rescue operations during natural calamities. It is made for toxic environments like factories where humans cannot be present,” the duo explained. 
The model has been made using 3D printer and tools from the Atal Tinkering lab of the school. The school is called the Swami Atmanand English Medium School of Excellence. Jayrin Khan is an English teacher here and teaches classes 9 to 12. “The models are ready for display and the students have put in a lot of effort. Three models have been selected from the school.”
Jayrin’s colleague Swapnil Sinha teaches physics at the school. He guided the students in making the models. Another model is on a 3D hologram for three dimensional display. The third model is on a hydrogen generator. 
Aanchal Pundir, who is from non-profit Pi Jam Foundation, is the organisation’s state lead in Chhattisgarh. She informed that the fest is a collaboration between Pi Jam, Unicef Chhattisgarh and Samagra Chhattisgarh, the state education department. Pi Jam works with students and helps in building skills for competition and in STEM education. 
“The Chhattisgarh Tinkerathon organised two months back (September 28 and 29) was a success. The district collector is interested in promoting STEM education is schools,” she said. 
Manish Anand is also from Pi Jam Foundation which is giving technical support to the fest. As a teacher trainer, he has looked at various models. One model is on how the cattle can automatically save themselves if a fire breaks out in a village. This is innovative as during a fire, people run helter-skelter trying to save themselves first and forget domesticated animals.  

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