National Children's Science Congress
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NATIONAL CHILDREN'S SCIENCE CONGRESS (NCSC)
National Children's Science Congress, also referred to as Children's Science Congress at the district and state levels is the flagship programme of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. It is a platform for children to carry out small research activities at micro-level. The seeds of this programme were planted in Madhya Pradesh by an NGO called Gwalior Science Centre. It was later adopted by the NCSTC, DST for extending it to the national level. Initially the programme was coordinated by the then NCSTC-Network (a network of non-government and government organisations working in the field of science popularisation) as national organiser. Since 2014, NCSTC, DST has been organising the Children's Science Congress with the guidance and support of the National Academic Committee, a core group of experienced academic team constituted by the NCSTC, DST, Government of India.
NCSC Schedule:
Tentative Activity Schedule
Selection of subjects for activity and registration of teams: On Going!
Working on the projects: Next 2-3 months
District Level Congress: By Late September Or Early October
State Level Congress: By mid-November (Please go through the state-level event)
National Level Congress: National Children’s Science Congress from 27th Dec to 31st Dec 2019.
Kishor VaigyaniK Sammelan: 3-7 Jan (Venue will be announced shortly)
NCSC Projects Competitions Schedule:
Dsitrict Level: In October (Different dates to be announced in Various Districts)
State Level: In November
National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) provides the children of 10 to 17 years from all over the country a unique opportunity to use their scientific temperament and knowledge to make their own dreams come true. The program was initiated in 1993, with the following objectives NCSTC NETWORK
* To provide a forum to the young scientists to pursue their natural curiosity and to quench their thirst for creativity by experimenting on open-ended problems;
*To make you feel that science is all around and you can gain knowledge as well as solve many problems also be relating the learning process to the physical and social environment of the neighbourhood;
*To encourage children throughout the country to visualise the future of the nation and help building a generation of sensitive, responsible citizens;
*To stimulate scientific temperament and learning the scientific methodology for observation, collection of data, experiment analysis arriving at conclusions and presenting the findings.
NCSC is held annually from December 27-31. After thorough scrutiny at district and state levels, about 500 children take part in this five day long deliberations and fun-filled science activities
The NCSC has a centrally decided scientific theme, socially relevant and modern and expects children in the age group of 10 to 17 years to form a small group under a guide teacher in his school, select a sub-theme from the main theme, develop a hypothesis, design experiments, collect data, organise and analyse it before reaching on conclusion. The GOI expect students to develop traits of working in a team, be able to appreciate that science is for society and acquire knowledge of method of science.
Children’s Science Congress is a celebration of practical science. It is an inclusive platform where young scientists use their scientific skills to address real problems. The challenge begins from selecting the issue, analysing and examining it, suggesting solutions, working on a likely path. You develop science communication skills also as you are required to present the work and results before peers and experts.
An important skill that you improve is statistical methods and pattern recognition. This is to be attempted in as rigorous way as possible with significant sample size and accurate data collection. Both these facets will be useful in your adult career – as a scientist or any other professional.
This year focal theme is “Understanding Weather and Climate”. the very important and socially relevant current research issue world ever. Competition and recognition of merit is introduced at district, state and national level. National level congress is due on December 27-31, 2014 at Bangalore.The Philosophy of NCSC
A unique program that motivates children to take-up scientific research on local specific issues of their choice under broad themes, instead of imposing issues on them.
A real experiment to promote ‘methods of science’ with ample opportunities to encourage creativity, innovation and experiential learning(learning by doing).
An activity towards promoting spirit of team work, correlating science with everyday life situations.
A potentially strong and effective movement for influencing the impressionable minds to enhance community feelings and sensitize towards societal needs.
An event not merely for the privileged and school-going children; but even for those who are not in the formal school set-up, drop-outs, or forced to be out of the conventional mode due to poverty and disabilities.
The Genesis and Process of NCSC
The National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) began as an experiment in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh in the early nineties, involving children in open-ended scientific projects of relevance to the society. It became a nationwide activity since 1993. The Congress is organized by NCSTC-Network, a registered society.
In a brain storming session with all like minded organizations & individuals associated with NCSC declare a Focal Theme, with relevant sub-themes, for every two years.
Necessary Activity Guide, leaflets, application forms are circulated well on time through the State and District coordinating agencies.
District level organizing committees and academic committees are responsible for disseminating the message and software to the children spread over the length and breadth of the country.
Children form groups of 2 to 5, and select a guide to steer them through the project. They first identify a topic/ an issue/ a local problem under the given sub-themes and make quick assessment of the work schedule. Projects build up on models, prototypes or hypotheses which might be very refreshing and innovative; some of them based on surveys conducted by children.
Working through surveys, collection of data, collation of data, drawing results, representing findings by suitable mathematical tools, suggesting solutions, testing results in the field, concluding with follow-up actions in that order, the groups prepare the project reports in a standard and uniform manner.
The report is presented first in the District Level Congress by the group leader and is assessed by a group of evaluators. All selected projects from this level are next presented in the State Level Congress in front of a wider audience and discussed threadbare by all concerned before they are sent for the grand finale National Level Congress, held during 27 – 31 December every year. Seven to eight lakh Young Scientists participate at various levels from the states & union territories. Two-three best projects from each state also participate in the annual session of Science Congress organized by Indian Science Congress Association, every year during January 3rd – 7th.The Main Objectives of NCSC:
The primary objectives of the National Children’s Science Congress is to make a forum available to children of the age-group of 10-17 years, both from formal school system as well as from out of school, to exhibit their creativity and innovativeness and more particularly their ability to solve a societal problem experienced locally using the method-of-science.
By implication, the CSC prompts children to think of some significant societal problem, ponder over its causes and subsequently try and solve the same using the scientific process. This involves close and keen observation, raising pertinent questions, building models, predicting solutions on the basis of a model, trying out various possible alternatives and arriving at an optimum solution using experimentation, field work, research and innovative ideas. The Children’s Science Congress encourages a sense of discovery. It emboldens the participants to question many aspects of our progress and development and express their findings in vernacular.Features of the CongressThe projects are:
Innovative, simple and practical;
Represent teamwork;
Are based on exploration of everyday life-situations;
Involve field based data collection;
Have definite outputs, arrived through scientific methodology;
Are related directly to community work in the local community;
Have definite follow-up plans.
Who are eligible to participate?
Any children within the age bracket of 10 and 17 years can participate in NCSC, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language and ethnic background.
10 to 14 years constitutes the lower age group; while 14+ to 17 years is called the upper age group.
The age is calculated on the basis of attainment on 31 December of the calendar year.
NCSC is not necessarily a school-based program; it is open to all nonformal systems of education besides out-of-school and disabled children.
Children in the past have joined CSC from science centers, clubs and other forums also, although they are also part of school systems.
In which Area One Should Do the Research/Project?
Every year a focal theme is announced for the NCSC. The children are expected to carry out projects related to the focal theme and the identified subthemes. Activity guide books are available to help guide teachers and the scientists. A group of children not exceeding five can do the project with the help of scientists, school science teachers, coordinators of school science clubs, activists of science based voluntary organizations, etc. The teachers/guides receive special orientation on the theme of the NCSC every year.
Focal Theme 2020-2021: Scince for Sustainable Living
The Evaluation Process of NCSC Projects:
Screening of projects are done by the evaluators at District and State Level Congresses on the basis of oral presentation, project report and aids used during presenting the report. Innovativeness, methodology, amount of work, impact of the project out come and teamwork form the basis of evaluation Evaluation Criteria of NCSC Projects
Originality & relevance of the project idea
Presentation
Scientific understanding of the issue
Data collection & analysis
Experimentation/Scientific study/validation
Problem solving attempt (for district level NCSC only)
Problem solving attempt & follow up (for state & national level CSCs)
Team work
Background correction (for district level CSC only)
Improvement from the previous level (for State & National level only)
The best potential projects are further screened at national event by a team of evaluators. Short listed potential projects & Children involved with those projects will be given the opportunity to pursue their study in some of the designated laboratories for a specific period.
Download “HOW TO DO PROJECT” for Help and Guidance