About The Young Scientist Challenge 2023
Introducing the ‘Young Scientist Challenge 2023’ – an exhilarating endeavor that ignites the sparks of scientific curiosity within young minds. Through this challenge, we aim to expose students beyond textbooks and conventional learning, and into the realm of innovation, discovery, and creativity. This competition offers a unique opportunity for students from Std. 6 – 10 to channel their innate curiosity and propose tangible and sustainable solutions.
Aligned with select Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the challenge invites participants to explore, envision, and engineer ideas that address pressing issues, either at a global level or faced by their immediate community. By encouraging students to identify real-world concerns and design solutions, the challenge nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy – skills that are essential for our future leaders.
A dynamic collaboration between
To Advance And Develop Scientific and Sustainable Mindset In Students
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
CSIR-NIScPR serves as a ‘Think Tank’ for the Indian ST&I system and leads ST&I communication and policy studies nationally. It is the mandate of the Jigyasa Division of CSIR-NIScPR to bridge the gap between science and society by fostering dialogues with the local community, students, academia, and educationists.
Conducted Under The Aegis Of
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. India holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. India, along with Indonesia and Brazil, forms the Troika members during India’s G20 Presidency.
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Established in 2017 during Germany’s Presidency, the S20 is an Engagement Group (EG) vertical of G20, comprising the scientific academies of all G20 countries. The primary objective of the S20 engagement group is to offer science-based advice and recommendations to policymakers, ensuring that decisions are made based on scientific consensus.
Entering The Challenge
The schedule and phases for the "Young Scientist Challenge 2023" are meticulously planned, fostering a structured and engaging experience for both schools and students. The timeline reflects a well-organized approach to nurturing scientific creativity and innovation.
Here is the breakdown of the key events, phases and timelines:
Phase I
Phase I is the Idea Generation and Submission Phase.
- USO Member Schools may register online by September 18, 2023.
- An online Orientation Session designed to equip teachers with valuable insights and information about the Challenge shall be conducted on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
- Schools shall be provided with resources or examples. These may be used to identify scientific and sustainable solution from students.
- Schools to organize an 'Idea Camp' to invite solutions to common problems from students of Std. 6 - 10 any day between September 22 - October 5, 2023.
- Schools to send a list of participating students of Std. 6 - 10 to USO by Friday, October 6, 2023.
- School to send 3 selected ideas to USO from students (template provided) by Friday, October 6, 2023.
- USO, UNESCO and CSIR-NIScPR to select 1 idea from each school to move to Phase II. This shall be communicated by Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Phase II
Phase II is the Video Submission Phase.
- Online interaction with eminent scientists to guide 1 selected student from each school to develop a scientific thinking process and to guide them for the creation of their model for video submission - Friday, October 20, 2023 from 4.30 pm - 5.30 pm.
- Videos from the selected students to be submitted by selected students - Friday, October 30, 2023.
Phase III
Phase III is the Result Declaration Phase.
- Results shall be declared and prize winners' names shall be released on Friday, November 10, 2023. This day is celebrated by UNESCO as World Science Day for Peace and Development.
- During the online session, the prize-winning students shall also get an opportunity to interact with a scientist who can guide them about the future of their idea.
SDG Focus...
All participating students must focus on any one of the selected 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for working on their ideas. The selected SDGs are SDG 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
Here Are the Winners and The Video Of Their Ideas...
Congratulations To The
Students, Teachers, Parents
From USO, UNESCO & CSIR-NIScPR
Selected Ideas - Phase I
After careful deliberation by USO, UNESCO, and CSIR-NIScPR, we are pleased to announce the names of the top ideas that have been selected. We extend a special invitation to these students and their dedicated teacher mentors to participate in the upcoming Scientists' Talk.
Prizes
The mission of this Challenge is to encourage and motivate young students to share their creative ideas on a national platform. We strongly believe that scientific thinking in school students must be developed and therefore have invited scientists to guide students through their thought processes.
- All participating students shall receive Participation e-Certificates.
- The best 3 selected ideas from each school to receive a Certificate and goodies.
- The top idea from each school is to receive a Certificate, medal, and goodies.
- National winners to receive a Certificate, trophy, medal, and goodies.
- Teacher mentors to receive a Certificate and goodies.
- Each school to receive a plaque to encourage creativity in their school students.
FAQs'
The Young Scientist Challenge 2023 is an educational initiative aimed at fostering scientific curiosity and innovation among students. It provides a platform for young students of Std.6 – 10 from schools nationally to propose creative and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges aligned with the specified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The entire program shall be conducted online. Communication of each step shall be provided to the school.
Students from Std. 6 – 10 from USO Member Schools are eligible to participate. The challenge is open to schools that register for the event.
No, there is no registration fee for individual students. However, USO Member Schools are required to register their school. Registration fees are Rs. 250.
To register your school, you need to fill out the online registration form available on the website during the specified registration period (Click Here To Fill The Online Form).
The idea needs to come from individual students. While we encourage meaningful discussions – which may be in a group or class format – the idea submission is in an individual capacity.
The students will be guided through their teacher mentors. Resources shall be shared with the teachers to help guide the students.
8 SDGs have been identified for this Challenge. They are:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
A project should primarily focus on a single SDG. However, it is possible that it might have cross-cutting impacts on multiple goals. In such a case, all SDGs must be specified and elaborated upon.
A template with details shall be provided to the school. A teacher mentor from the school shall guide the students and help with idea submission.
Yes, proposed solutions can involve existing technologies if an innovation is proposed additionally. The emphasis is on creativity, innovation, and a comprehensive understanding of how the solution addresses the chosen SDG.
Submitted ideas will be evaluated based on their alignment with the chosen SDG, feasibility, creativity, impact on society, sustainability and the proposed solution.
The results of the competition were announced on November 17, 2023, through an online meeting. Names of the winners shall also be released on the USO website and communicated to the school.
Monday, September 18, 2023, is the last date for schools to register.