Science Quest-II & CRYSTAL: residential camp for School Students@IIT-PKD inaugurated on May 4
IIT Palakkad is hosting a joint residential science camp, Science Quest and CRYSTAL from 4th to 14th May 2022. Science Quest, intended as an annual event hosted by the Institute, in memory of Late Prof. M. C. Valsakumar, former Professor of Physics and Dean Student Affairs at IIT Palakkad, is being organised for the second time this year. The CRYSTAL (Crafting Young Scientists of Tomorrow) programme of KSCSTE (Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment) is an annual event to provide customized training in science and technology from the eminent institutes of India for students who are State level winners of the National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC). Around 60 school students from different districts of Kerala are participating in the camp.
The camp was kick-started on 4 May at the Ahalia Campus of IIT Palakkad with a plenary session of Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya (TIFR, Mumbai) on the topic "The Wonderful Lab Called Home (in the Pandemic, and Beyond!)".
Dr Sovan Lal Das, Dean Academics, IIT Palakkad, welcomed the gathering . Introducing the CRYSTAL program, KSCSTE- CRYSTAL co-ordinator Mr. Arjun Prasad, Scientist KSCSTE stated that one of the main objectives of the science camp is to nurture creative, curious minds.
Director IIT Palakkad Prof P.B Sunil Kumar in his address assured the students that language will not be an impediment at the camp and urged them to express themselves to gain from and enjoy the camp. He emphasised that the focus would be on experiments and interaction, and active participation by students and expressed the hope that students would be inspired. For the benefit of parents, he also gave a brief introduction to IIT Palakkad - a third generation IIT started in 2015.Three batches have passed out and there are currently 100 faculty and 1200 students, with roughly 50% in UG programs (B.Tech) and the rest pursuing PG programs and research. He also mentioned the pandemic induced 2- year-gap in Science Quest, and IIT Palakkad hosting CRYSTAL for the first time. Welcoming Mrs Leela Valsakumar , he appreciated the initiative by Late Prof. Valsakumar’s family and friends.
Prof Sundaraman associated with the BARC metallurgy division and IIT Madras reminisced on his memories of Prof Valsakumar. Referring to him as an extraordinarily brilliant scientist, teacher and humanist, he urged students to cultivate his penchant to learn and capacity to be forthright in asking questions without any fear. Describing Prof Valsakumar as self-taught and a voracious reader, he highlighted his late friend’s view that deifying people is not good, the goal ought to be to try and emulate and be one step better.
Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya hailed the legacy of Prof Valsakumar as the finest, for wanting to inspire and support young minds in the pursuit of science. Appreciating both Science Quest and CRYSTAL and the invitation from the organisers to inaugurate the event, he emphasised to the students that the purpose of the camp was to have fun. He urged them to interact among themselves, meet researchers at IIT, and find exciting things.
Dr Soham Mani thanked all those who contributed to the brief but interesting inaugural session, on behalf of the organising committee. Family members and friends who are donors to the Valsakumar endowment fund and funding support from KSCSTE were also appreciated.
