Tag: Student Research

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Taare Zameen Par: Goa’s First Inter-School Science Fair 2026 Sparks Young Scientific Minds

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

To foster the integration of academics with research, Goa is set to host its first Inter-School Science Fair titled Taare Zameen Par 2026. Organised by the Board of Innovative Education Goa (BIE) in collaboration with A.J Academy for Research and Development, the two-day event will take place on Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10, 2026, at Samrat Garden, Margao.

Designed for students from Class IV to X, the Science Fair is a research-driven initiative that encourages young learners to seek answers through the scientific method. The fair features multiple categories, including Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences, offering students a platform to engage in meaningful and original scientific exploration beyond routine classroom learning.

Addressing the media at a press conference held on January 7 at CSPH, Miramar, Muhammad Abdullah Javed, Director of A.J Academy for Research and Development, emphasised the long-term vision of the initiative. He said that inspiring young minds today could one day lead India to global recognition in science, possibly even a Nobel Prize. A key highlight of the fair, he noted, is the strong emphasis on parent–school partnerships, encouraging collaborative efforts to nurture future scientists. Unlike conventional science exhibitions, this fair prioritises originality and independent research, with students working on unique problems using their own procedures and techniques.

Approximately 220 students from schools across Goa will present 97 innovative projects, showcased in both individual and group categories. A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate the projects, with outstanding entries being honoured with titles such as Budding Scientist, Emerging Scientist and Young Scientist. All participating schools, students and guiding teachers will receive certificates of participation.

The Science Fair will be inaugurated by Prof. F. M. Nadaf, Principal of the Government of Goa’s Autonomous College of Multidisciplinary Studies and Research, Margao. The concluding programme will be graced by Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh, Director Headquarters, CSIR-NIO Goa, as the Chief Guest.

The exhibition will remain open to students, parents, educators, science enthusiasts and the general public on both days from 10:30 am to 6 pm. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony on January 10, scheduled from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, celebrating the innovation, curiosity and dedication of Goa’s next generation of scientists.

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Goa Launches Campus Innovation Scheme to Boost Student-Led Research and Entrepreneurship

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa has taken a significant step toward strengthening its innovation landscape with the launch of the Campus Innovation Scheme under the Goa Startup Policy 2025. Introduced by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) under the leadership of Minister Rohan Khaunte, the initiative seeks to nurture early-stage ideas developed within educational institutions and encourage students to explore emerging technologies through hands-on research and prototyping.

The scheme offers financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per application, covering actual project expenses, and is open exclusively to bonafide students enrolled in UGC-recognised institutions in Goa. By limiting support to 10 beneficiaries each financial year, the program ensures focused funding and close monitoring of selected projects. Colleges are required to set up dedicated selection committees that carefully evaluate proposals based on sustainability, innovation potential, technical depth, and relevance to evolving technological domains.

Students must submit their project proposals through their respective institutions, after which recommendations from the college committees are forwarded to the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) for further evaluation. Approved applicants receive reimbursement after the expenditure is made, encouraging accountability and proper utilisation of funds. To maintain progress transparency, institutions must also submit quarterly reports to SITPC in the prescribed format.

In November, DITE&C hosted a meeting with Training and Placement Officers from various colleges to familiarise them with the scheme and encourage active participation. This interaction was aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between government bodies and educational institutions in nurturing a new generation of innovators.

The Campus Innovation Scheme serves as a launchpad for students aspiring to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes and impactful solutions. By equipping them with the resources and support they need at an early stage, Goa is cultivating a culture of innovation within campuses and preparing young minds for the next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.

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Goa’s First Research-Based Inter-School Science Fair 2026 Begins with Teachers’ Orientation Program by BIE and AJ Academy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Board of Innovative Education (BIE), in association with AJ Academy for Research and Development, has taken a significant step toward transforming science education in Goa with the launch of a Teachers’ Orientation Program for the state’s first research-based Inter-School Science Fair 2026. Designed for students from Classes IV to X, the initiative marks a major shift from conventional model-making to genuine scientific inquiry that encourages curiosity, analytical thinking and evidence-based exploration. During the orientation, teachers were introduced to the core objective of integrating academic concepts with real research practices from an early age. The training emphasized the importance of helping students think like scientists—asking meaningful questions, developing hypotheses, identifying variables, conducting experiments, analysing data and presenting clear, research-backed conclusions.

One of the distinguishing features of this year’s Science Fair is its emphasis on Goa-centric research themes. Topics such as coastal erosion, mangrove ecosystem health, water quality challenges, waste management, the environmental impact of tourism and mining, and issues related to biodiversity were presented as key focus areas. By working on these locally relevant themes, students will be able to apply scientific thinking to issues that directly affect their surroundings, allowing them to propose solutions rooted in research and a deeper understanding of their environment. This approach aims to make science education relatable and empowering, encouraging students to view scientific inquiry as a tool for improving their communities.

Addressing teachers at the orientation, the Secretary of the Board of Innovative Education underscored the transformative vision behind the Science Fair. He emphasized the need to “bring out the C. V. Raman, Einstein and Newton hidden in our young minds,” highlighting the immense potential within Goa’s student community. Teachers were acknowledged as the driving force behind this transformation, and the session provided them with practical guidelines, mentoring frameworks and support strategies to help students undertake impactful research projects.

The upcoming Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 is expected to showcase meaningful, evidence-driven projects that reflect real-time challenges faced by the state. Through this research-oriented approach, the initiative aims to ignite scientific curiosity, strengthen analytical skills and inspire young minds to explore science as a powerful tool for understanding and solving the challenges of their communities.