A Fair Like None Before in Pharping

In this technological age, the study of science and mathematics has become increasingly crucial for a comprehensive education. Unfortunately, many rural students in countries like Nepal lag behind in these subjects due to shortage of qualified science and math teachers, insufficient teaching resources, and inadequate  science labs in schools. To raise student interest and focus the community’s attention on the need for better science education, Dakshinkali Municipality partnered  with Rukmini Foundation to host a Science Fair. Arunodaya Secondary School coordinated the event, which was held at Tribhuvan Adarsha High School’s playground.

The Science Fair aimed to inspire students to showcase their inventive ideas and to generate interest in the fields of science and technology. Each school presented their unique projects, which were a result of collaborative efforts between students and teachers, based on their classroom learning.

To ensure the success of the Science Fair, several planning meetings were held with school principals and science and math teachers. Local graduate students with an interest in science and technology were also enlisted for assistance. High School students volunteered for the event, and impartial judges from Kathmandu city were brought in to fairly evaluate the competition.

Local officials, teachers, and parents were amazed by the student’s presentation of many ideas with limited resources in a short time. The judges highly valued the student’s participation and declared Shikharapur School the winner. Despite competing against well-equipped urban schools, they secured 3rd place at the district level competition, impressing the mayor who committed to making the exhibition an annual event and supporting science education. The teachers were also motivated to see their students succeed with the right opportunities.

Bishant K.C [Teacher of Junkiri School]

“This is a great start to engage students in a practical environment. I hope such programmes will continue in the future too so that not only students but teachers also get a chance to learn many things.”

Shreeram Shrestha [Teacher of Shikharapur, Setidevi and Arunodaya]

“Whatever we have thought and done is very effective and from this students have shown their interest toward science and they have worked very hard for this exhibition. This kind of practical work should be done not only for the purpose of exhibition but as a regular practice in schools as well.

The Rukmini Foundation Team is very impressed with the level of participation and have observed that the exhibition has sparked interests in students for learning  science. We hope this will help further STEM education in schools.