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In the name of Allah the Gracious the Merciful

The Science Fair Academy (SFA) organized a grand Regional Science Fair on 23rd

Jan, 2017, at Crescent

School, Hyderabad. The total number of projects initially were around 400, to make it perfectly aligned to the

standards of scientific research, 210 projects were selected and allowed to display in the science fair. A total of

146 students form twenty two schools from across the city participated in the fair.

The Inaugural Session The day long science fair program had the inaugural and concluding sessions along the project based activities.

The inaugural session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by a student who presented the last three

verses of Surah Al Baqara and its translation.

Mrs Nasreen Fatima

The General Secretary of SFA, Mrs Nasreen Fatima delivered the inaugural address and welcomed the

honorable guests, teachers, students and patron and then briefly summarized the SFA activities. She said that

the response from schools was overwhelming and enthusiasm among teachers and students was very

encouraging, it was so high that we had to cut down the number of projects to fit to the standards of science fair

as those were exhibits and models. Around 210 projects were shortlisted.

Prof Moin Ansari

Speaking at the inaugural session the guest of honor Prof Moin Ansari, Chairman, Board of Nutrition, USA

expressed his happiness over the participation and said: “it has become the hallmark of all developing countries

that they give more emphasis to practical aspects than the theoretical ones. One of the things to improve the

education is to carry out science related research work. Earlier, in our childhood days, we used to give more

emphasis to theoretical aspects than the practical ones, that era was short of resources and we were compelled to

adjust to our needs but now thanks to the introduction of internet and computers, the whole world has become

one unit. Earlier there was individualism much more than collectivism. No it has gone beyond the boundaries of

countries. I can tell you out that the teachers are going to be excellent guide. They can not only emphasize

theory but also the practical aspects. I should be able to compare the science projects in India with other

countries and I can say that India is doing extremely well. I hope every one of you will be successful in one way

or the other”.

Mrs Amatul Hai Fatima

Soon after the address, the vice president of SFA Mrs Amatul Hai Fatima thanked the honorable guests and the

judges. For judging and finalizing, the Academy had roped in the services of best of the science faculties from

across the prestigious institutions and Universities of Hyderabad. Around 25 judges were present and they had a

briefing session with Dr Kamal Nazer, the assistant professor of chemistry, the New College Chennai, who

travelled all along from a far off place to guide and witness the gala science fair event. Speaking to the judges of

the science fair

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Dr Kamal Nazer “When you teach science or any subject for that matter, it should transform to skills, the purpose of teaching

science is to create curiosity among the students. You have to bring in various skills in the children. They

should be able to resort to logical, analytical and critical thinking. He further said: “there are various ways of

teaching; the methodology of hands on experiment is quite important. One of the effective ways of teaching

science is project base teaching, like what you are going to witness in the science fair. There are certain skills

that can’t be created from other ways of teachings but that can be brought in by the project base teaching. While

judging you need to assess whether the children have acquired certain skills that are supposed to be acquired

through project base teaching.

On judging the project he described the methodology of awarding marks in view of each aspect of the project.

Starting from the innovative and creative question, assessment of the parameters, pre interview evaluation and

rest of the process carried out to complete the project.

The Student’s Projects

Out of 210 projects barring a few, all were research oriented projects, and were completed in accordance with

the set standards of the science fair. The projects have been displayed under various categories like life science,

physical science and environmental science. Some of the topics of the projects were:

Finding natural pesticide, breathe in and breath out (measuring lung capacity), polar motor, ground and filtered

water cooking, rain harvesting, effects of sleeping floor and mattresses, virtual reality, wireless music system,

radiation effects on plants, effects of drinks, fruits with vitamin c, effects of crocin on plants, organic and non-

organic food, effects of mobile phone on chicken, the hazards of pollution etc.

Judges evaluation

After the comprehensive briefing from Dr Kamal Nazer, the judges were assembled in the hall and had keen

assessment of all the projects. After a hectic three hours of rigorous interviews and assessments, all the judges

were pronounced their final decisions by assigning appropriate marks to the projects. Ms Sayeeda Fatima

helped the judges in calculating and declaring the results. Based on the marks scored, students awarded with the

prizes. The prize distribution ceremony held in the forenoon session.

The Valedictory Session

The valedictory session was graced by some eminent personalities from the field of education and politics.

Owing to unavoidable engagements, the honorable Deputy Chief Minister Mr Muhammad Mahmood Ali,

couldn’t attend the function, but sent his best wishes and congratulated the organizers.

Dr Naseem Akhter

The valedictory session started with the inaugural speech from the Vice President, SFA, Dr Naseem Akhter,

expressing her happiness over the progress and achievements of SFA she congratulated all the school heads and

the teachers for their inspiring efforts to develop scientific temperament among the students. Addressing

exclusively to the students she said, the continued efforts in the field of research and development is sure to

bring good name to our country. She expressed her hope that some of the students will participate in the

international science fairs.

Dr Qazi Siraj Azher

The inspiration behind the Science Fair Academy, Dr Qazi Siraj Azher, Associate Clinical Professor, Michigan

State University, USA, through a voice message he expressed: “I would like to acknowledge special recognition

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to a large number of young scientists and thanks all the teachers, parents and mentors for helping the students

and becoming a part of the science fair. Every participant is a winner, getting an award is incidental; therefore

don’t let your spirit down. He welcomed all the distinguish guests present on the occasion.

Mr Shaukat Ali Mirza

Speaking at this occasion Mr Shaukat Ali Mirza, Vice Chancelor, American University at RAK, UAE, said:

“it’s really a matter of pleasure and satisfaction for me to be here today to view various projects exhibited by

young students. I think more than the students, the teachers and the people behind the scene taken the initiative

to inculcate the scientific temperament in the mind of young students are very important, they must be

appreciated. I couldn’t see all the projects, but whatever I could see, they are really remarkable. No scientific

idea can be finalized overnight; it takes very long time, sometimes several years. Today your thought may

appear crazy to you, but the same can be beneficial to human beings over a period of time. It is going to become

so important that without which it would be almost impossible to think of survival. There are several instances

of this type. Way back in 1995 once we thought of having a guiding map on the dashboard of our car, when our

car had stuck in a snowy road, the road was completely invisible, it was a just a crazy thought. But now it’s a

reality every car has the facility of GPS system. If you look back how the scientists like Einstein and Edison

gave the idea about the scientific development, you are sure to get astonished. When Edison thought of

illuminating the whole world with the power of electricity, people used to laugh at him and assumed it is quite

impossible to convert the night into day, but now we see it is possible, even small villages can present the night

as day.”

He continued with inspiring words and said: “the most important thing is that you should have an idea, it

doesn’t matter whether your idea is right or wrong. At least you should get an idea as to how to start the

scientific research. A scientific idea can’t be wrong, but analysis may wrong, only time will tell where we had

gone wrong and where not. Today what you see as the progress and development in certain fields, they have

come through the process of check and balance and rectifying ways. The contribution of a scientist who gave

the formula of Cholesterol was considered a great man and he got Noble Prize for his wonderful efforts. Two

years later another scientist proved him wrong and presented new formula of the Cholesterol and got the Noble

Prize. The point is, it is not important that how crazy idea you have, but the point is you must have an idea. And

only by the passing of time you can prove and justify that how far your idea was good and beneficial and how it

is being converted into some beneficial things.”

Er Y Nagesh Kumar

Another distinguished chief guest of the valedictory function, Mr. Er. Y Nagesh Kumar, Member Secretary,

Telangana State Council of Science and Technology, TS, expressed his happiness and congratulated the

organizers and teachers for the wonderful event and said: “at this happiest moment I am remembering my

childhood days, I had participated in a similar science fair in Nalgonda and my project got selected for the state

event. My project was of an automatic machine, if you put a coin in the machine you will get a chocolate. I got

this idea with the weight machine, as we get our weight when a coin is inserted into it. I used to think over the

machine as to how it provides us with the exact weight? I consulted my uncle, a mechanical engineer, he

explained me the inside mechanism. Then I got the idea and did that project.

He further expressed: “our department, the Telangana State Council of Science and Technology is engaged in

the promotion of science and technology in the State for the benefits of students, teachers, academicians and

general public. It was established in 1985 with the help of the department of science and technology,

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Government of India, on the recommendation of planning commission. Our department is organizing programs,

National Science Days, National Children’s Congress; it’s one of the prestigious programs, organizing from last

decade. I am happy to announce that this year two students have been selected for national award, a total of

fifteen projects were selected from across the country out of 700 projects. Out of fifteen two girls were awarded,

one student is from a ZP School of Karimnagar and another girl from a School in Hyderabad for partially blind

people”. Requesting the present students to participate in the National Science Congress programmes he

continued:

“I have seen the projects here, they are very good and I request all the teachers to find out the hidden talents in

the students, try to bring out those talents and make the students exemplary. I would like to requests the students

to opt science and research oriented activities as their carrier. To a self-raised question why research is

required? And why we should invent? He said, with that research we can solve our problems and work for the

betterment of society. You should think why we have problems today? Right from morning till we go to bed in

the night we face many problems. One of the burning problems is pollution, water and air pollution. Why it is

so? Because when we exhaust all the natural resources it obviously results in natural imbalance and causes

global warming and climate change. Now you should come out with new alternatives. Keep on thinking, until

your thought get articulated into action and of course, actions produce results. If the results reach to a common

man then he is sure to get benefitted. Keep on thinking, try to invent, India required scientists.

Today India is in top list, ISRO is launching satellites, and I request the students to take up science as their

carrier. I appreciate and congratulate SFA and their efforts for organizing; this program will definitely boost the

students to take scientific research as their carrier. This time we couldn’t support the cause of SFA but I promise

in future we will come forward to help and organize such programmes.”

Mrs Sumaira Sarib

The Director of Shadaan Group of Institutions, Mrs Sumaira Sarib Rasool Khan, the guest of honor gave an

inspiring talk, she said: “it’s always a pleasure attending such science fair, the SFA have been doing lot of good

work, I really appreciate. The students are pulling lots of efforts and bagged 11 national level awards in the

recently concluded national science fair at Chennai.

She continued: “when Allah made man, He bestowed him with certain tools, the tools of knowledge and

wisdom that can be acquired through eyes, ears and heart. If anybody uses these tools properly, then that person

can become a scholar, a person of knowledge and wisdom. Stating a verse from the Quran (Surah Az Zumar: 9)

she said “Say those who know and those who know not, can be equal? What does it mean, it is the people who

know are scholars, the people who have hunger for knowledge, and the people who really wanted to do

something and leave the world with the mark behind. The scholars are the men of understanding; it’s their

specialty which the Quran mentions is that they are the only ones that fear Allah (Surah Al Fatir: 28). It means

the men of knowledge and men of understanding are the quickest to understand the truth and believe in it. The

scholars are heirs of the Prophets and seeking knowledge is a path to Paradise. The kids who are participated in

today’s science fair are sure to become scientists in the future Inshaa Allah and they are on the path of Paradise”

She further said: “these are the times the research work is being given unprecedented attention. Many

Government sectors and corporates are interested in research and development, that’s why we are seeing

tremendous development in the field of science and technology, 3d printing to help in medication, bionic eyes

for the blind, self-learning robots with artificial intelligence, instant translators and what not, these

developments are taking science into another level you could imagine. This should inspire you students to work

hard and move ahead with a lofty aim of participating in the International level competitions and aim to become

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a shining star. Posing a question to the students, what actually makes you a star? Replying to it she said it’s the

knowledge and hard work that makes you a star, as the knowledge is power. With such a zealous students we

can think of participating in the International level competitions. For this to realize I must say every family

should have one researcher. Parents and teachers should give their kids positivity that will surely inspire them to

go ahead with the research work. Praying and expressing her good wishes, she concluded her talk with the

inspiring couplets from Dr Allama Iqbal’s poem:

اخومش ںیم

ت

رب

ت

ےہ وکیئ اگنہہم ریتی تلازہ اس اوغش ںیمپ

ت

تریہ ےہ ایک وقم

رشنی داتھکی وہں ان یک اس رمدق ےس ےب ربخ وہں رگہچ ان یک وتعس دصقم ےس ںیم

ںیماف

ازہ امجن اک اضفےئ اامسں ںیم ےہ وہظر

ت

ارحمم ےہ نج یک ومج ونر ت

اں ےس ت

ان

دہ دیک

ام ےس نج وج ایھب ارھبے ںیہ تملظ اخہن اتکام ےس

ااانش ےہ دیق حبص و ش

و ت

یک ض

ات این ںیم ادناز نہک یھب، ون یھب ےہ

ت

ر اک رپ وت یھب ےہ نج یک ت اور ریتے وکبک دقتتک

Some activity in your silent grave is

A nation being reared in this lap is

Though unaware of the extent of their aims I am

Their re-birth from this grave discerning I am

New stars appearing in the celestial space are

Whose light waves strange to the human eye are

Who just arisen from the dark house of time are

Whose lights unaware of limitations of day and night are

In whose brightness the old as well as the new ways are

And also the shadows of stars of your destiny are

The Hyderabad Institute of Excellence’s kind gesture

As a kind gesture to the efforts of the development of scientific spirit among the young kids, the Ghayasuddin

Babu Khan charitable trust, Hyderabad offered cash prizes for the winners. In a message, the trust appreciated

the efforts of SFA. It is said: “the efforts of the students in the field of science and technology need to be

appreciated as the future of the students will always be bright and the world will look upon our students with

respect and honor. The aspect of research and innovation will help the humanity. As you know research and

innovation was our hallmark for centuries which we have forgotten and we need to re-start the legacy and put

all our energies and efforts to bring back the glory. This initiative of SFA is sure to have such positive impacts.

As a token contribution, 9 staffers and 22 students will be awarded Young Scientists award with certificate of

merit and cash prize on behalf of Hyderabad Institute of excellence (HIE). The following students were

awarded:

1. Sufiyan Mahmood – M S Creative High School

2. Muhammad Abdul Hafeez – M S Creative High School

3. Khalid Saifullah Waqas – M S Creative High School

4. Fatima Banu – Alliance International School

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5. Shifa Fatima – MESCO

6. Fatima Begum – Neo Holy Fatima High School

7. Syeda Aafiya Muskan – New Model High School

8. Syed Ayubullah – Neo Rosary High School

9. Syed Mustafa Ahmed – Madina Public School

10. Ariba Basit – Mount Mercy

11. Bushra – Mount Mercy

12. Afshan – Mount Mercy

13. Amatul Lateef – Mount Mercy

14. Zainab – Mount Mercy

15. Muhammad Khaleelur Rahman – Mount Mercy

16. Norrein Fatima – Neo Rosary High School

17. Tooba Maryam – M S Creative High School

18. Ayesha Naseer – M S Creative High School

19. Alina Begum – Neo Rosary High School

20. Syeda Rafay Begum – Imam Baksh Memorial High School

21. Madiha Fatima – Alliance International School

22. Umme Juveria – Crescent High School

The following nine students were selected for a cash prize of Rs.1000/-

1. Muhammad Khaja Sameer – Neo Rosary High School

2. Ariba Basit – Mount Mercy High School

3. Madiha Fatima – M S Creative High School

4. Shais – M S Creative High School

5. Amaan Khan – Alliance International School

6. Muhammad Aaqib Abdullah – M S Creative High School

7. Fatima – M S Creative High School

8. Ayesha Nadeem – Mount Mercy

9. Leeh Wadah – M S Creative High School

Javed sb, representative HIE, very briefly expressed his views: “I am very pleased to be here and happy to see

the efforts of the young students. Thanks for inviting me to witness such a wonderful event”.

Award Winners

The chief guests distributed the awards to the winners of 9th

Regional Science Fair, in Junior, Sub Junior and

Senior Categories. The winners are:

1. Muhammad Khaja Sameer – Neo Rosary High School

2. Madhia Fatima – Alliance International School

Junior

1. Rida Shaikh – M S Creative High School

Sub Junior

1. Amaan Khan – Alliance International School

2. Muhammad Aaqib Abdullah – M S Creative High School

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3. Leeh Wadah – M S Creative High School

Junior Category

1. Tarannum Fatima – M S Creative High School

2. Ayesha Naasim – Mount Mercy High School

Senior Category

1. Mahin Fatima – Neo Rosary High School

2. Sara Banu – Crescent High School

3. Nausheen Fatima – Neo Model High School

4. Sadiya Siddiqui – Madina Publish School

5. Ausaf Syed Ahmed – Mount Mercy High School

6. Ayesha Tabassum – Imam Bakhsh Memorial High School

7. Sidra Adeeb – Mesco Grades

Felicitations

On various occasions of the valedictory programmes, the Judges, teachers and other distinguished guests were

honored with mementos and certificates.

Parallel Sessions:

During the science fair activities, parallel sessions were organized for the science teachers. On two different

occasions Mrs Amatul Ghafoor sb and Ms Sadiya Samreen, Executive members of SFA handled the session

where as Dr Kamal Nazar spoke about the dynamics of organizing a science fair.

Mr Amir Ali Khan:

Before the conclusion, in his presidential address, the president of the function and SFA Mr Aamir Ali Khan

congratulated the SFA team for their outstanding display of scientific temperament. He extended his heartfelt

gratitude for the host, Crescent High School for facilitating all the necessary arrangement for the regional

science fair. He said: “the distinguished guests spoke about the students and their carrier, at this point of time I

would like to say that apart from that the role of teacher is very important. The onus of responsibility rests on

the teachers as well because a teacher in her life span teaches almost lakh students. The teacher deserves a

round of applause for participating and guiding the students. The thought process should go on. You should

think how the problems can be solved. Whatever project you chose, you should think of its necessity and

usefulness. Try to connect your thinking process with our problems, as in old city and some parts of Tolichowki

we are facing loads of problems, by using scientific way you can solve the problems. He concluded his address

by thanking the organizers and teachers and congratulating the students for participating and winning.

Mr Ali Bin Ibrahim Musqati, TDP Member and Chairperson of Minorities Development Forum was also grace

the funciton, a large number of parents, mentors and academicians were also present in the 9th

Regional Science

Fair.

Nasreen Fatima

General Secretary

Science Fair Academy, Hyderabad