BMHS SCORES A HAT-TRICK AT NATIONAL CHILDREN’S SCIENCE CONGRESS


Bhatikar Model High School has achieved the distinction of participating in National Children’s Science Congress for three consecutive years. In December 2005 the school was selected to participate in the NCSC at Bhubaneshwar and presented a student project on “Traditional Temple Ponds in Goa”.

In December 2006 Mast. Gourish Amonkar represented the school at the NCSC held in Sikkim and presented a student project on “Eco-friendly Cultivation of Local Vegetables.” Other student members who participated in the project were: Ms. Bhargavi Bhat, Ms. Priyanka Abdar, Ms. Zeba Nazir and Mast. Jacob Chirayil.

In December 2007, the school’s project on “Comparative Study of HF Breeds of Cows” was selected to participate at the NCSC held in Baramati. Ms. Manjeeta Dhume represented the school at the NCSC 2007. Other student members of the team were: Ms. Prerna Katagari, Ms. Soniya Lotlikar, Mast. Venkatesh Kamat, Mast. Shriraj Kamat.

Mrs. Manisha Dhume has successfully guided all student projects at the state and national level Children’s Science Congress.


AN OVERVIEW OF NCSC PROJECTS

NCSC 2006: Eco-Friendly Cultivation of Local Vegetables

Objectives:
To study the variety of local vegetables and encourage cultivators to conserve and grow local vegetables in an organic manner.

Methodology
The team studied 10 different locally grown vegetables, their local and scientific names, and their properties. The team studied the availability of seeds and fertilizers, and also visited farms and Krishi Melas to interact with vegetable cultivators and understand their methods, awareness about government schemes, etc.

Observations
Seeds are dried in the sun and stored in containers. The cultivators use a mixture of neem cakes and urea; however the use of cow dung and natural organic fertilizers is not very prominent. Instead, the use of chemical pesticides is widespread. An analysis of the soil revealed that the soil was acidic – one of the reasons why the yield of some vegetables such as red pumpkin and ash gourd was not good.

Recommendations
The team highlighted the need for use of bio fertilizers and bio pesticides in order to conserve the quality of the soil and increase the yield. The students also apprised the cultivators about various government schemes under which they could promote cultivation. They stressed upon the need to conserve the diverse variety of local vegetables and the need for the younger generation to preserve this heritage.

NCSC 2007: Comparative Study of HF Breeds of Cows

Objectives:
To conduct a comparative study of the quality of cattle feed, yield and quality of milk at different cattle farms.

Methodology
The team studied the management of two cattle farms, one in Margao, and one in Cuncolim, specifically the quality and quantity of feed and the corresponding quality and quantity of the yield. The yield was tested at the laboratory of Goa Dairy, for its fat content, SNF and specific gravity. The results were discussed with veterinary doctors and experts.

Observations
It was observed that the yield and the fat content was higher in the case of the farm which was clean, well ventilated with adequate sunlight. The cows in this farm are also taken out for about 30 minutes twice during the day. Whereas, at the other farm where the yield was lower, there was no proper ventilation and cows were rarely taken out to move about.

The observations and results of analysis were shared with owners of both farms.

NCSC 2007 student team with Headmistress and Guide Teacher


Students presenting at Goa State Children’s Science Congress


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