The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC) is mandated to promote Science and Technology among the population and to supplement school education using a non-formal approach. In this context, RGSC is launching the 8th edition of the Science Quest. The Science Quest 2023 is a project-based science competition that requires students to use Science and Technology in a systematic and innovative manner to address a problem that they face at school, at home or in the community.
2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
• The aim of the competition is to raise scientific awareness among students and encourage them to apply Science and Technology to make our life better.
• Encourage students to use Science and Technology and the scientific method in a constructive and innovative manner.
• Enable students to devise strategies to deal with a specific problem by working in a team.
• Give students an opportunity to develop their research, communication and problem solving skills.
• Develop creativity and innovation among young people.
3. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The contest is open to secondary school students of Mauritius as follows:
Category 1: Grade 7, 8 and 9
Category 2: Grade 10 and 11
Category 3: Grade 12 and 13
Participants should work in a team of FOUR students under the guidance of ONE Supervising Teacher/Mentor.
Each school may submit a maximum of TWO projects per category. Finalists should submit a project report to the RGSC, participate in an exhibition and make an oral presentation of not more than 5 minutes in front of the Jury members during the finals.
4. TOPICS
Participants are free to choose any topic or theme for their projects as long as they use Science and Technology to improve their life at school, at home or in their locality. Students are encouraged to conduct scientific investigations, experiments, awareness campaigns, surveys and to construct models and prototypes.
5. HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
• STEP 1: ONLINE REGISTRATION (16 February 2023)
Interested teams of four students have to register online.
Click Here to Register
Website: rgsc.govmu.org
• STEP 2: SCREENING AND NOMINATIONS (20 March 2023)
All entries will be screened by the jury and the best project proposals will be retained for the next stage. The nominees will be required to go ahead with the project to be presented during the finals. By 16 March 2023 RGSC will inform finalists of their selection
• STEP 3: WORK ON THE PROJECT (March – May 2023)
Participants of selected projects have to work on their project, write their project report and prepare for the exhibition.
• STEP 4: ONLINE SUBMISSION OF PROJECT REPORT (11 May 2023)
The project report is a brief of the project, maximum 10 pages A4 format, written in English or French. It should clearly state the problem under investigation, the purpose of the project, interpretation and conclusion.
• STEP 5: FINAL AND PRIZE GIVING (6 – 9 June 2023)
Finalists will present their projects to the Jury and to the public through an exhibition. Participants should make an oral presentation of a maximum of 5 minutes and answer to queries from the judges. Each team will be provided with a display board of 1.2m x 1.2m and a table.
6. ASSESSMENT
The project report, the oral presentation and the display will be assessed by a panel of judges.
Project should be:
• Creative and Innovative
• Make appropriate use of Science &Technology
• Implemented or have the potential to be implemented at School/Community
• The decision of the Jury will be FINAL.
7. PRIZES
Winning teams of each category will be awarded prizes as follows:
Students | |
Gold Prize | Rs 25,000 + Shield |
Silver Prize | Rs 20,000 +Shield |
Bronze Prize | Rs 12,000 + Shield |
Two Merit Prizes | Each of Rs 5000 |
Supervising Teachers/Mentors | |
Gold Prize | Rs 4000 + certificate |
Silver Prize | Rs 3000 + Certificate |
Bronze Prize | Rs 2000 + Certificate |
Two Merit Prizes | Each of Rs 1000 |
8. RULES AND REGULATIONS
Each team should consist of 4 participants working under the supervision of ONE Supervising Teacher.
• Participants may involve their classmates while working on the project but only the FOUR team members can present the project.
• Participants may take the help of guides/mentors/ scientists/resource persons/parents. The help received should be acknowledged in the Project Report.
• When human beings are involved, students should take their permission before publishing their names and photos in their project report and/or presentations.
• Experiments with human beings or animals are not allowed.
• Students should always conduct experiments under the supervision of an adult or their supervising teacher.
• Change of supervising teacher after 30 April 2023 will not be allowed.
• The projects should be an original work of the team.
• Participation in the Science Quest permits reasonable use of the names and photos of the participants, releasing the RGSC from any and all claims, liabilities and/or damage arising directly or indirectly out of their participation.
• Models/posters and other visual aids displayed during the finals will be disposed of by RGSC if not collected immediately after the prize giving ceremony.
• Projects which will use or produce hazardous chemicals gases without proper safety precautions will be disqualified.
• Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre will not provide funding for the project.
• Plagiarism will be penalized.
9. ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
Director
Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre,
Old Moka Road, Bell Village
Tel: 2132773, Fax: 2132726
Email: education@rgsctf.org Website: rgsc.govmu.org
