HCL Foundation conducts Young Kalam Science Fest 2018
November 27, 2018, Chennai
Reference: http://brainfeedmagazine.com/hcl-foundation-conducts-young-kalam-science-fest-2018/
HCL Foundation, the CSR arm of HCL Technologies, organized “Young Kalam Science Fest 2018”at the Research Park, IIT-M, Chennai. The key objective of this unique event is to encourage children to develop an inquisitive mind, to hone their creativity and to develop a keen interest in Science and to nurture a scientific temper in the students, especially among those studying in Government schoolswhich are supported by HCL.
Young Kalam Science Fest is aimed to provide a platform for students from government schools adopted by HCL Foundation and HCL Gurukuls, from Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai and Hyderabad, to display scientific models in an exhibition. Best models selected will be implemented in their respective schools. More than 80 students will participate in the event and around 50 scientific models which have been shortlisted in the preliminary city-level competitions, will be exhibited. Topic is “Smart Cities: Problems and Solution”. The scientific models will broadly cover Health, Education, Environment, Energy, Solid Waste Management, Lifestyle and Infrastructure.
Mr Sreekumar, Global Practice Director, HCL Technologies, and Mr. Ramamoorthy, DU Head, HCLT, were the Chief Guests, and Mrs. Sivagami, Regional Manager, Aide et Action, was the Guest of Honourat the event which was organised by HCL Foundation and supported by employee volunteers from HCL.
The rolling Young Kalam trophy was bagged by P. Jayachandar and Y. Hemaprakash from Kodambakkam Police Girls and Boys Club for their model on Drainage Management in Smart Cities. First prize was won by Princy and Geetha from Government Girls School, Avadi, for the topic Smart City Innovation Gadgets. The Second prize was bagged by Supriya, Nivetha, Janani from Nolambur GHSS; their topic was Root Zone Purification. Third prize was given to Harishiya and Nivetha from Kandigai School for their topic Blind Stick Sensor. People’s Favorite Award was given for topics Indoor Agriculture presented by M. Vineetha, A. Veronica, A.Dhanalakshmi, and to Jebin and Sathiya for the topic Smart AI Vehicle Accessing System. A total of 50 models were presented by government schools and clubs from Chennai, Bangalore and Madurai.
In the words of Ms. Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation, “Science is integral to Education for HCL Foundation. Science is ability to think and work logically. HCL Foundation reaches out to the most unreached segment of children, who live in slums/under-served areas of cities, under its flagship initiative HCL Uday. These children face very difficult circumstances at home and have limited opportunities. Through Young Kalam, HCL Foundation promotes the scientific acumen amongst young people, that not only helps them have a rational outlook towards life but also achieve academic excellence, thus break all barriers and live a dignified life.”
Mr. Sreekumar, in his interactive talk, urged the students to develop a futuristic view while solving the problems of Smart Cities. “You can make simple breakthroughs to solve complex problems. Keep learning new things, be innovative and understand the fundamentals rather than acquiring superficial knowledge,” he said.
“It’s great when we view science not as a subject but as something that moves everyday life. All of you have the potential to become Kalams in future by enhancing your scientific knowledge” said Ms. Sivagami.
As a knowledge-based company, HCL appreciates the value and importance of education to bring about positive, enduring change in people’s lives. To that end, HCL Foundation invests in innovative, technology-led education for children, youth and women in urban and rural India. From early childhood to adult learning, HCL Foundation develops high impact solutions to address education needs of children, young people, and adults. To enhance the quality of learning and development in children, HCL Gurukul is a program that creates an enabling environment for mainstream education for children of all ages living in urban slums. Its objective is to support the education of children who may be at risk of never attending or discontinuing schooling due to social-economic circumstances. Under My School program, HCL Foundation works with a consortium of NGOs and other stakeholders from the school’s ecosystem to develop participatory and sustainable models of school development. HCL volunteers engage with students, and guide them as their role models and help them in achieving the holistic development of these children. Apart from coaching, counselling, life skills training, bridge curricula, arts and digital literacy, Science is an important focus area of HCL Foundation’s interventions for holistic development of children and youth.
