The 4th ‘BFF-SPSP Children Science Congress 2016’ held at University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka on September 23 and 24, 2016 jointly organized jointly by Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF) and Society for the Popularization of Science, Bangladesh (SPSB).

Presided over by BFF Treasurer and former chief scientist of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Dr Rezaur Rahman, BFF Chairman and Vice Chancellor of the University of Asia Pacific Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury formally inaugurated the congress as the chief guest. Associate Professor at NSU Dr Arshad Chowdhury, Executive Director of BFF Sazzadur Rahman Chowdhury also spoke at the opening.

The speakers advised the young scientists to follow the scientific methodology while carrying research work on. Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury told the story of Bangladeshi scientists who are working in global arena with fame. He recalled the contributions of some Bangladeshi scientists in the development of science and technology and encouraged the students to be engaged more in scientific activities. He expressed satisfaction over the regenerated interest of students in science.

Mentioned that 1200 students registered for the congress 2016. Among them 450 young scientists were selected for the final congress. They presented 240 projects, 100 papers and 110 posters in the Congress. Finally, 50 young scientists were awarded in Primary, Junior and Senior categories for scientific papers, posters and projects.

Paper of the Congress was awarded to Istiak Hossain from Notre Dame College, Dhaka. His paper on ‘Empemba Effect’ showed that when same quantity of hot and normal water are kept into a refrigerator the hot water becomes freeze into ice earlier than normal water.

Best Poster on Primary category was awarded to Arisha Chowdhury of Sun Beam School for her poster on ‘Taste of Tongue’. She presented different parts of our tongue that take different taste like sweet, sour, chilies etc. In senior category, Riazul Jannat and Sadia Sultana’s Poster was awarded as the best poster.

Eminent scientist and writer Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal moderated the joint congress on 24 September. A panel comprising of Dr. Khondkar Siddique-e-Rabbani, former faculty of Department of Physics of Dhaka University, Microbiologist Dr. Zeba Islam Seraj of Dhaka University, Dr. Mohammed Arshad Momen, Chairman of Theoretical Physics of Dhaka University, and Dr. Arshad Chowdhury of North South University responded the queries of the young scientists. Associate Editor of Prothom Alo Abdul Qayyum Md. Yasin, Vice President of SPSB Munir Hasan and Executive Director of BFF Sazzadur Rahman Chowdhury were present at the joint congress. At the end, the prize giving ceremony held.

To activate the students and institutions, 11 Summer Science camps named Dr. Jagadish Chandra Bose camp held earlier in 8 districts. A science workshop with the students also held on 25 August at Dhaka University.

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BFF, in collaboration with The Society for the Popularization of Science, Bangladesh (SPSB) organized Junior Science Olympiad on August 27, 2016 at Dhaka Teachers’ Training College Auditorium. This is the 2nd Olympiad in Bangladesh and is a part of International Junior science Olympiad (IJSO). A team consist of the winners will attend the 13th IJSO to be held in Bali, Indonesia.  One of the major aims of this Olympiad was to encourage children and teenagers of our country in science education.

Principal of Dhaka teachers Training college Mr. Swapon Kumar Dhali attended the closing session and awarded 15 students of junior category, 25 of Secondary category and 20 of special category. In Olympiad and question session,  BFF Trustee Eminent Biologist Dr. Rezaur Rahaman, SPSB Vice president Mr. munir Hasan and Executive Director of BFF Mr. Sazzadur Rahman Chowdhury  attended and answered questions from the participants.

A grooming camp will be held in September this year with participation of the winners.

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BFF organized a ‘Motivation Training to Improve the Professional Skill of High School Science Teachers of Rangpur districts on August 29-31,2016 at Northern Training and and Resource Center (NTRC) Rangpur, in collaboration with, Debi Chowdhurani Palli Unnayan Kendra (DCPUK), Ramnathpur Bahumukhi nabayan Sangha (RBNS) and DOPS Foundation. Rangpur Teachers’ Training College (RTTC) provided academic support to the program with their training and teaching resources.

This was the second training program of this type with the Science teachers of Rangpur Districts. The major objectives of this three-day training were to find out teaching techniques those will make the class room attractive and mind catching to the students; collect, create and usage of low and no-cost practical equipments; laboratory management and, at the same time, make an opportunity for the teachers to share their knowhow on science teaching at the class..

Science teachers of 45 high schools from Badarganj, Pirgacha and Kawnia Upazilla of Rangpur districts attended the training. There were a number of sessions conducted by teachers of RTTC. Teachers shared their experience in teaching, about methods they usually implement in their classroom. The sessions included teaching and learning methodology, practical usage of teaching materials, creative teaching of a creative teacher, integrated and participatory teaching, modern classroom management, practical teaching of science classes, evaluation methodology, extra-curricular activities to popularize science with some demonstrations of some experiments of text book using common everyday use objects.

ADC (Education and ICTs) of Rangpur Mr. Priyo Sindhu Talukder attended the closing and certificate Distribution Ceremony as chief guest. The closing program was presided over by Mr. Nurul Islam Dulu, Executive Director of DCPUK. Mr. Sazzadur Rahman Chowdhury, Executive Director of BFF bestowed the certificate as special guest to the participants. Executive Director of RBNS Mr. Saiful Islam and a number of press reporters also attended the program.