Gyalshing girl wins state-level Science Seminar

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Pranisha Chettri of Gyalshing Girls Senior Secondary School was adjudged the Best Speaker at the state-level Science Seminar-2011 held today at Modern Secondary School auditorium. She spoke on the topic, “Chemistry for Human Welfare: Promises & Concerns”.
Meanwhile, Sahil Chettri of Rangpo Secondary School and Sannoong Hu of Bahai Secondary School took the second and third places respectively.
 A total of 12 students, the 3 best speakers from each district, participated in the state-level seminar organised by the State Council Educational Research and Training [SCERT] in collaboration with the National Council of Science Museum, New Delhi.
The main objective of the science seminar was to inculcate a spirit of scientific enquiry in the mind of young students, to provide a suitable platform to students for exposure and exchange of ideas and talents, to popularize science and bridge the gap between science and society.
The students were judged by a three-member panel of judges comprising of Fellow Academic of Sikkim University, Dr CB Sunwar, Additional Registrar SMIT, Majitar, Prof Sanjay Dahal and Assistant Professor of Sikkim Government College, Roshan Gurung.
In the seminar, each participant was given six minutes to give a presentation followed by three questions by the panel of judges. The participants were evaluated for their scientific content in the presentation, fluency in spech, ability to answer oral questions on-the-spot and novelty in use of visuals.
Earlier, the SCERT conducted the district-level science seminar at all four district headquarters on the same topic and three best speakers from each of the four districts were shortlisted to represent the district at the state-level seminar.
The district-level seminar started from the West district on 08 September, in which 29 schools participated. In West Sikkim, Pema Yanki Bhutia of Yuksom SSS, Pranisha Chhetri of Geyzing Girls SSS and Manhangma Limoo of Darap SS were chosen as the best speakers.
A total of 28 schools participated in the South district seminar also held on 08 September at Namchi Girls’ SSS. In South Sikkim, Rishab Tamang of Melli SS, Yagyamani Rai of Namchi SSS and Shilpa Agarwal of Namchi Girls SSS were adjudged as the best speakers.
The seminar for the North district was held on 13 September at Mangan SSS, in which all 15 schools in the North district participated. In North Sikkim, Rabina Gurung of Mangan SSS, Sonam Ongmu Lepcha of Hee-Gyathang SSS and R Lepcha of Phensong SS were chosen as best speakers.
Likewise, district-level seminar for the East district was also held on 13 September, in which 28 schools participated. In East Sikkim, Sahil Chhetri of Rangpo SS, Shailash Chhetri of Samdong SSS and Sannoong Hu of Bahai’ SS were chosen as the best speakers.
Joint Director DIET, OP Sapkota, who was present as the special guest, gave away trophies to the participants.
It was informed that the best speaker in the state-level seminar represents the state at the National Science Seminar every year. However, this year the state could not send the state winner to the National Seminar, as the state had to postpone the state level seminar due to the 18 Sept earthquake and the national level seminar had already been held at the National Science Centre in New Delhi on 30 September.