LAHORE - The two-day Lahore Science Mela began Saturday organised by Khwarizmi Science Society at Ali Institute of Education. More than 50 stalls were set up. A book fair was also organized for schoolchildren.

Trust School, Garrison Boys High School, Sayedawal Girls High School of Kasur, Institute of Business Administration, Community College Shukker, University of Engineering and Technology, Forman Christian College University and Government College University set up their stalls.  Except Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial (PCSIR), no other government school or department showed interest in taking part in the important science fair.

Sharareh Dastjerdi, hails from Isfahan Iran, who set up stall of Khana-e-Riazi Isfahan (Isfahan Mathematics House), told The Nation that coming to Lahore was a tremendous experience and this science fair provided opportunity to interact with upcoming scientists of Pakistan.

“Our house teaches mathematics to elementary schoolchildren, teachers, and blind people. We teach them how they can relate mathematics to their life,” she said.

The science fair provided opportunity for students of smaller town to exhibit their scientific ideas. Laraib Ali, Riffat Haneef, Tehmina Khaliq and Hira Maryam student of Amina Girls Higher Secondary School Gelywal, district Lodhrah set up their stall at science fair. The school is being operated under Tareen Education Foundation.

Riffat explained that they have made a wifi enabled ‘Fruit Cart’ to pick and load the fruits and vegetables in gardens and farms. “This can be useful for farmers and could be time effete. If government supports us then we could develop this on larger scale.

They also made solar panel which could be used to automate for watering the fields. Riffat said this can revolutionize the agriculture sector of Punjab. 

Hafsa Faryal Khan Kiyani, an National College of Arts miniature graduate, exhibited displayed her Persian and Indian miniature artworks at Hast-o-Neest stall. “I have tried to depict the living style of Persian and Indian rulers in my art,” Hafsa said.

Gazzanfar Aziz, 14, student of IBA Sukkar Community College displayed a project on environment pollution. Waseem Saddiqui, an IBA Lecturer said this science fair has provided students from Sukkur and Dadu to portray their scientific ideas and opportunity to interact with other people learning scientific knowledge. 

Organizer of Lahore Science Mela Dr Sabieh Anwar said science museum showing lively exhibits of science, art and culture and on first day people participation from in and around the country. “The festivals demonstrate to aware students that science not just a dry facts subject.

President of Pakistan Science Club Abdul Rauf said science fair is an opportunity to answer the queries of students and to motivate them perusing their passion in science.   

Umair Asim, founder of Lahore Astronomical Society and Zeds Astronomical Observatory commented that this year the people response is very impressive. “Pakistan has vast opportunity in the field of astronomy and we are creating awareness among children,” he said.  The science fair will conclude today.