Solving algebra sums, facing general knowledge posers in a quiz and building contraptions like motor boats that run on hydro energy, participants in ConnecTech 2023 on February 3 competed in a variety of contests.
The national level technical bonanza was being hosted at the University of Engineering and Management (UEM) in Sector V.
The event had six events on its schedule -- Tech Art (a technical drawing competition for classes IX-XII), Pythagoras Star (a mathematical aptitude test for classes IX and X), Pythagoras Pro (a mathematical aptitude test for classes XI & XII), Nirmana (science model-making competition for classes IX-XII), Curiosity (general knowledge quiz contest for classes IX-XII), Bio Brilliance (science quiz for classes IX-XII).
The events required understanding of the fundamentals of science and technology, and provided the young participants with a chance to showcase their scientific, technological, creative and logistics skills. Over 650 students from schools all over the state ranging from DAV Model School, Kharagpur, South City International School in south Calcutta to Patharghata High School in Rajarhat were participating. Alumni members joined the event on the panel of jury and also assisted at the registration desk.
An entry in the Tech Art contest.
Chief guest Saikat Mishra, vice-chancellor, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, lights the inaugural lamp
The Bidhannagar Municipal School team with the school championship runner-up trophy
Chief guest Saikat Mishra, vice-chancellor, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, lit the inaugural lamp and lauded the hard work put in by the students and the management for organising such a programme. Chancellor Satyajit Chakrabarti, vice-chancellor Sajal Dasgupta and pro vice-chancellor Satyajit Chakrabarti were also present.
At the closing ceremony, for each event, the top three students were awarded trophies and cash prizes of Rs 7000, Rs 4000, and Rs 3000 respectively along with medals of appreciation for those in the next three positions.
Twin brothers, studying in Class XI at Barasat PCS Government High School, Karishnu and Kritadhi Banerjee, won first and second place in the quiz, Curiosity. "It was an
electrifying event. Hope there are more events like this organised in future," Kritadhi said.
A three-member team from Douglas Memorial Higher Secondary School, comprising Rajarshi Gupta, Souvik Dey and Subarno Das of Class IX, bagged the first prize for the science model-making competition, Nirmana. Rajarshi demonstrated a working model on their joint project on how electricity can be generated through waste production with minimum pollution rate. Sayan Samajpati of Bidhannagar Municipal School was named the winner in Pythagoras Pro.
Everyone stayed back for the closing ceremony, in course of which the school championship award was to be announced. The coveted trophy went to Douglas Memorial Higher Secondary School, Barrackpore. Bidhannagar Municipal School got the runner-up title.
“ConnecTech 2023 was like seeing one's child grow into an incredible adult. I'm proud of my team of students who worked tirelessly to put up the event,” Manas Banerjee, a faculty member of the universirty's sports department, signed off.
Rajanya Ghosh
3rd year, B.Tech, ECE, Student secretary, UEMK Sports Club