25 July, 2009 - Be it doing their homework or things elders may not approve of, the best thing about young people is that, if they put their mind to something, they do it wholeheartedly.

The science fair, which opened on Wednesday at the Motithang high school in Thimphu, to mark the year of science and technology in Bhutan, reflected this youthful enthusiasm.

From liquid pressure, waste management, human body to the solar system, the fair covered a wide range of scientific topics, including a few remotely related to technology. And the students of nine primary and high schools in Thimphu taking part in the fair confidently explained their models and projects and listened carefully to feedback.

“We made it ourselves,” said an excited group of students from Jigme Losel primary school, displaying a model of the human digestive system. “What you eat goes here and then here and finally ends here,” said one of them, as the others added more information.

The most adorable were two pre primary students explaining the parts of a face. “This is mouth to talk, ear to listen…. and thank you.”

As the students went on repeating the same explanations to every visitor, the heat and the warm air circulating inside the hall was the last thing on their minds. “It could be due to global warming,” said a few students.

The principal of Babesa primary school, Lhagay Tshering, said that, if students were given a chance, they would do very well. “They work hard. Give them ideas to explore and they won’t let you down,” he said.

This launch has now opened the gate for more science and technology programmes like debates, quizzes and science fairs to be conducted in schools across the country.

Speaking to the gathering during the launch, the education minister, Lyonpo Thakur S Powdyel, said that, while science is fun, the knowledge of science must be converted into technology.

“We hope this project will excite the curiousity of our children about the terrestrial world we inhabit and the celestial world we wonder about. We cherish the hope that our schools and institutions will be cradles of our own scientists and astronomers in the making.”

“Science must help us live. It should increase agriculture production, preserve our natural environment, fight drought, save against natural calamities, reduce pollution and fight diseases. Science should be for life,” said the education minister.

Students said science was interesting. “There is reasons and justifications for everything,” said a class XI student of Yangchenphug high school, Tshering Pelzom. “This exhibition has encouraged us to be innovative,” said a class XII student of Motithang high school, Puja Subedi.

A lot of students are interested in science, said the education director, Tshewang Tandin. “The challenge is a dearth of science teachers.”

“There must be so many scientists languishing in the back benches of our schools and institutions. We hope that the Bhutan year of science and technology will provide the necessary impulse for the establishment of the royal society for the advancement of science in the future. It may be a small step for us today, but it could be a big step for Bhutan tomorrow.”
– Education minister