Catalyst, the Chemistry club of Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram organised ‘Spark 2014’, an International Chemistry Symposium on 28th November 2014 at Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram. Around 60 schools from across the nation as well as one international school, DPS Kuwait, participated in the numerous competitions organized by the club.
The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Archana Milhotra, a Ph.D in Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. The judges for the occasion were Dr. Veena Verma; Ms. Vineeta Malani, an entrepreneur; Professor Geetu Gambhir from the Organic Chemistry Department of Acharya Narendra Dev College and Mr. Rajesh Tewari, a theatre expert. Those present on the occasion included the Principal, Dr. D.R. Saini; the Vice Principal, Mrs. Shobha Mehta; the Head of the Chemistry department, Mr. Prem Dhawan and all the teachers of the chemistry department.
The event commenced with the lighting of the lamp and the felicitation of the guests. A short video was shown, highlighting the achievements of ‘Catalyst’, the chemistry club. The Head of the Chemistry Department, Mr. Prem Dhawan addressed the gathering and warmly welcomed all the participants. The Principal, Dr. D.R. Saini spoke about the significance of Chemistry in everyday life. This was followed by a mesmerizing dance performance by the students. The Chief Guest, Dr. Archana Milhotra, highlighted the importance of Carbon and how nature is the biggest source of inspiration. Catalyst, the magazine put together by the chemistry club was unveiled along with the magazine made by the Pre-Pharmacy club.
The program consisted of four competitive events including a Just a Minute session, ‘Chem- Bowl’, ‘Chem-Canvas’ and ‘Actinium’. In the ‘Just a Minute’ session, contestants spoke on topics such as ‘the Dual Nature of Light’ and ‘Free Energy’. ‘Chem-Canvas’. The Art competition was on the topic ‘Stone to Silicon Age’. ‘Chem -Bowl’, the chemistry quiz took place in two rounds, the preliminary and final round and ‘Act-inium’, an Ads Act competition, where students promoted fictitious products such as mosquito repellents and soul sweeteners.
The judges talked about the importance of chemistry and clippings of the day’s activities were shown to the audience. Mr. Girish Bhusri, the Business Manager, North and West, Science and Industrial products, Borosil Glass Works Ltd talked to the audience about Borosil Products.
In the prize distribution ceremony, the overall winner of the event was Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram but it being the host school, the prize was passed on to Amity International, Noida. DPS Gurgaon got the first position in the JAM competition followed by Amity International School, Noida and Cambridge Foundation School came in third. Welhams Girls school won the first prize in the Chem Canvas while Modern School, Vasant Vihar came second and St. Xaviers, Shahabad came third. The Chem bowl prelims and final quiz was won by Bal Bharti School followed by Apeejay School, Pitampura and the third position was secured by DPS R.K.Puram but passed on to DL DAV Model School. Act-inium- the Ads Act was bagged by Amity International School, Noida, on second spot was DPS R.K.Puram but it was passed on to Modern School, Barakhamba Road and DPS Rajnagar Ghaziabad was third.
Mrs. Alinda Holla, from the Chemistry department, delivered the vote of thanks. It was a memorable experience for all the students.
(Part-I)
(Part-II)