“I don’t know what inspired me,” says 12-year-old Saad Nasser. Ironic, for Saad’s invention has ignited a great deal of excitement in India and abroad. Saad, along with Ram Mannath (12) and Aishwarya Vinod (13) emerged toppers at the Indian National Science Competition 2014, organised by the Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS), a joint initiative of the government, industry and Intel. The payoff: they got to rub shoulders with some of the top engineers in the world at one of the world’s leading science fairs in California, US.
These three middle school students were selected to represent the country at the Broadcom Masters International Middle school science and engineering program in California, U.S., which is held annually in conjunction with the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and is the largest high school science fair competition in the world. Delegates participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)-related activities. They’re also official observers at the ISEF in Los Angeles, California.
Children of their age are usually grappling with homework and assignments, but these talented teens went beyond the classroom to come up with innovative projects that caught the eye of the selectors. So, what did they do to bag the honours?
Ram and Aishwarya, classmates at Shishu Griha Montessori and High School in Bangalore, developed a biodegradable alternative to plastic / wax coating for paper cups. Their starch-coated cups decompose easily unlike the plastic ones. They used a combination of starch, glycerine, vinegar and water for the alternative lining. And significantly, it will be a cost-effective option when mass produced. “We tried to develop bio-degradable water bottles. But we were not successful. Then we thought of working on these cups,” says Ram Mannath. Right now our focus is on chemical analysis of the cups. “We have tested these cups with hot water, tea and juice,” says this aspiring oceanographer. Aishwarya adds that they are now working on how to convert water bottles into plastic strips and putting them to good use.
Saad, (a class VI student at Clarence High School, Bangalore, but currently home schooling), came up with a project that explores quick and efficient ways to inter-connect several micro-processors. His network requires very little hardware and allows software control, ensuring optimal power and performance. Saad, who is interested in programming and rocket science, admits candidly that he has “no idea” about what he wants to do in the long run. Their week-long once-in-a-lifetime experience in the U.S. included solving ‘grand challenges’ with engineers at Broadcom, learning about 3D printing at the University of California and spending a day with Walt Disney Studious’ ‘Imagineers’ exploring Ice Age fossils.
