AKES, India students take part in Math-Science Quest
With the aim of creating an environment that nurtures students' application of problem-solving, decision-making, communication and collaboration skills, the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), India celebrated National Mathematics and Science Day with an exciting Math-Science Quest for students across the network.
This year marked the fourth edition of the quest, hosted by the Diamond Jubilee High School for Girls (DJHSG), Mumbai, under the guidance of the central AKES, India academic team. The competition commenced in October 2023 and concluded with an award ceremony held in February 2024.
The diorama model-making competition was held across Grade 1 to 12, with participation from AKES, India students and students from the organisation’s outreach partner schools. It featured four designated categories; Jagdish Chandra Bose (Grades 1-2); Raman Parimala (Grades 3-5); Dorothy Vaughan (Grades 6-8); and James Watson (Grades 9-12), named after renowned mathematicians and scientists to inspire participants. The event’s core team from DJHSG, Mumbai provided comprehensive briefings to participating schools on event guidelines and judging rubrics to better support the students.
A total of 1,147 models were submitted, with an extraordinary variety of ideas presented by students, making the judging process both challenging and awe-inspiring. Projects ranged from “Safety Alarms for Blind Turns to Prevent Road Accidents” and the “Generation of Electricity by Rainwater Harvesting” to “Digital Height Finder Using Trigonometric Ratios”.
The competition culminated with a virtual award ceremony where DJHSG, Mumbai students delivered presentations, including a play on Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose’s work, a monologue on Ms Raman Parimala’s contribution, an interactive quiz on Ms Dorothy Vaughan’s life and a showcase on the DNA model, the work of James Watson. All participants received certificates, while the winners were awarded first-place certificates and a science kit for their exceptional models.
The ceremony’s special guest, Dr Swaleha Shaikh, Class of 2012 an alumna of DJHSG, Mumbai motivated the budding scientists and mathematicians with her inspiring journey. In her speech, she recounted her own experience of being under-confident in her early years and how the school played a pivotal role in transforming her into a confident individual with a clear vision for her future. Dr Swaleha encouraged the students to innovate and pursue their aspirations with determination.
CEO of AKES, India Mr Farhad Merchant also gave a speech, inspiring students to take charge of their educational adventures.
“We are learning today for a future that is unknown,” he said. “We should constantly strive to actively engage in our own learning journey; leveraging online learning platforms to enhance our skills. This will help us deal with changes that are anticipated in the future.”
AKES, India’s Academic Head Dr Trisha Sen shared that she was fortunate to review several math and science models of the students. During this process, she relearnt some concepts and gained new insights as well. The event was a resounding success, fostering the spirit of curiosity and discovery among participants.
"I was very eager to participate in the Math-Science Quest," said Sumaiya Shaikh, a Grade 8 student from DJHSG, Mumbai. "As I began working on the model, I found it very engaging. I put in a lot of effort, and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive outcome. I was thrilled to achieve second place. It was a truly rewarding experience for me."
The Math-Science Quest not only highlighted the students' creativity but also demonstrated the Aga Khan Education Service, India's commitment to providing innovative and engaging learning experiences. By continuing to host such events, AKES, India ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Photos: Students presenting their projects over zoom including a winning performance.
