NCSC 2023 is a National Children’s Science Congress. NCSC would be conducted at District Level, State Level, and National Level across India. NCSC is a program of the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
NCSC’s main aim is an ideal and innovative program for children to inspire, empower and expand both their mind and word.
Post-independence India has seen quite a few marvelous science & technology interventions for the emancipation of peoples’ life in all its facets. Scanning through the truly national efforts in the last couple of decades, one event that readily comes to mind is National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC), which not only has changed the way we look at science; but also has ignited the minds of Indian children, because it directly involves these budding citizens of our vast country.
| NCSC Theme 2022-2023 | 2022-2023 Theme details |
|---|---|
| NCSC Focal Theme | Understanding Ecosystem for Health And Well-being |
| NCSC Sub theme 1 | Know your ecosystem |
| NCSC Sub theme 2 | Fostering health, nutrition and well-being |
| NCSC Sub theme 3 | Social and cultural practices for ecosystem and health |
| NCSC Sub theme 4 | Ecosystem based approach (EBA) for self-reliance |
| NCSC Sub theme 5 | Technological innovation for ecosystem and health |
But the best part of this movement is the involvement of the adults too; be it as motivators and guides, or organizers and facilitators. Such an amalgamation of diverse people and thoughts has truly made National Children’s Science Congress an extremely popular and desirable activity in the Indian scientific calendar.
National Children Science Congress (NCSC): The Children Science Congress kindle curiosity of the children, provide the opportunity to unfold their creativeness and stretch their imagination. The programme is catalysed and supported by National Council for Science & Technology Communication, Govt. of India.
The mandate of participation is that, the children carry out project on a particular topic in relation to theme and sub-theme announced by NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India, which continues for two years. The selected awardees are sponsored for National Children Science Congress held every year from 27th December to 31st December at selected venues.
NCSC Schedule
| NCSC Activity | NCSC Dates |
|---|---|
| Selection of subjects for activity and registration of teams | On Going! |
| Working on the projects | Next 2-3 months |
| District Level Congress | By Late September Or Early October |
| State Level Congress | By mid-November (Please go through the state-level event) |
| National Level Congress | National Children’s Science Congress from 27th December to 31st December |
| Kishor VaigyaniK Sammelan | 03 to 07 January (Venue will be announced shortly) |
NCSC Projects Competitions Schedule:
- NCSC – National Children’s Science Congress:
- District Level: In October (Different dates to be announced in Various Districts)
- State Level: In November
- National Level: In December,
Nature of NCSC Projects
- Innovative, simple and practical
- Represent teamwork
- Are based on exploration of everyday life situation
- Involve field based data collection
- Have definite outputs, arrived through scientific methodology
- Are related directly to community work in the local community
- Have definite follow-up plans and action
Areas of Research: The children are expected to carry out projects related to the focal theme and the identified sub-themes. Activity books are available to help guide teachers and the child scientist.
A group of children not exceeding two, can do the project with the help of scientist, school teachers, co-ordinators of school science clubs, activists of science based voluntary organizations etc. The teachers / guides receive special orientation on the theme of the CSC every year.
Screening: The selection consideration at District / State Level should be as follows:
- National: State = 1:10
- State: District = 1:15
- Out of 15 at District 1 will be screened for State Level
- The selection ratio of Lower age group (10 to 14 years of age) to Upper age group (14 + to 17) should be 40:60
NCSTC NETWORK OBJECTIVES
National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) provides the children of 10 to 17 years from all over the country a unique opportunity to use their scientific temperament and knowledge to make their own dreams come true. The program was initiated in 1993, with the following objectives NCSTC NETWORK
To provide a forum to the young scientists to pursue their natural curiosity and to quench their thirst for creativity by experimenting on open-ended problems; To make you feel that science is all around and you can gain knowledge as well as solve many problems also be relating the learning process to the physical and social environment of the neighborhood;
To encourage children throughout the country to visualize the future of the nation and help to build a generation of sensitive, responsible citizens; To stimulate scientific temperament and learning the scientific methodology for observation, collection of data, experiment analysis arriving at conclusions and presenting the findings.
NCSC is held annually from December 27-31. After thorough scrutiny at district and state levels, about 500 children take part in this five day long deliberations and fun-filled science activities
The NCSC has a centrally decided scientific theme, socially relevant and modern and expects children in the age group of 10 to 17 years to form a small group under a guiding teacher in his school, select a sub-theme from the main theme, develop a hypothesis, design experiments, collect data, organize and analyze it before reaching on conclusion.
The GOI expects students to develop traits of working in a team, be able to appreciate that science is for society and acquire knowledge of the method of science.
Children’s Science Congress is a celebration of practical science. It is an inclusive platform where young scientists use their scientific skills to address real problems.
The challenge begins from selecting the issue, analyzing and examining it, suggesting solutions, working on a likely path. You develop science communication skills also as you are required to present the work and results before peers and experts.
An important skill that you improve is statistical methods and pattern recognition. This is to be attempted in a rigorous way as possible with a significant sample size and accurate data collection. Both these facets will be useful in your adult career – as a scientist or any other professional.
The Philosophy of NCSC: A unique program that motivates children to take-up scientific research on local specific issues of their choice under broad themes, instead of imposing issues on them. A real experiment to promote ‘methods of science’ with ample opportunities to encourage creativity, innovation and experiential learning(learning by doing).
An activity towards promoting the spirit of teamwork, correlating science with everyday life situations. A potentially strong and effective movement for influencing the impressionable minds to enhance community feelings and sensitize towards societal needs.
An event not merely for the privileged and school-going children; but even for those who are not in the formal school set-up, drop-outs, or forced to be out of the conventional mode due to poverty and disabilities.
The Genesis and Process of NCSC: The National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) began as an experiment in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh in the early nineties, involving children in open-ended scientific projects of relevance to society. It became a nationwide activity since 1993. The Congress is organized by NCSTC-Network, a registered society.
In a brainstorming session with all like-minded organizations & individuals associated with NCSC declare a Focal Theme, with relevant sub-themes, for every two years. Necessary Activity Guide, leaflets, application forms are circulated well on time through the State and District coordinating agencies.
District level organizing committees and academic committees are responsible for disseminating the message and software to the children spread over the length and breadth of the country.
Children form groups of 2 to 5 and select a guide to steer them through the project. They first identify a topic/ an issue/ a local problem under the given sub-themes and make a quick assessment of the work schedule. Projects build upon models, prototypes or hypotheses which might be very refreshing and innovative; some of them based on surveys conducted by children.
Working through surveys, collection of data, collation of data, drawing results, representing findings by suitable mathematical tools, suggesting solutions, testing results in the field, concluding with follow-up actions in that order, the groups prepare the project reports in a standard and uniform manner.
The report is presented first in the District Level Congress by the group leader and is assessed by a group of evaluators. All selected projects from this level are next presented in the State Level Congress in front of a wider audience and discussed threadbare by all concerned before they are sent for the grand finale National Level Congress, held in December every year.
Seven to eight lakh Young Scientists participate at various levels from the states & union territories. Two-three best projects from each state also participate in the annual session of Science Congress organized by Indian Science Congress Association, every year in January.
The Main Objectives of NCSC: The primary objectives of the National Children’s Science Congress are to make a forum available to children of the age-group of 10-17 years, both from the formal school system as well as from out of school, to exhibit their creativity and innovativeness and more particularly their ability to solve a societal problem experienced locally using the method-of-science.
By implication, the CSC prompts children to think of some significant societal problem, ponder over its causes and subsequently try and solve the same using the scientific process.
This involves close and keen observation, raising pertinent questions, building models, predicting solutions on the basis of a model, trying out various possible alternatives and arriving at an optimum solution using experimentation, fieldwork, research, and innovative ideas. The Children’s Science Congress encourages a sense of discovery. It emboldens the participants to question many aspects of our progress and development and express their findings in vernacular.
Features of the Congress
- The projects are:
- Innovative, simple and practical;
- Represent teamwork;
- Are based on the exploration of everyday life-situations;
- Involve field-based data collection;
- Have definite outputs, arrived through scientific methodology;
- Are related directly to community work in the local community;
- Have definite follow-up plans.
Who are eligible to participate?
Any children within the age bracket of 10 and 17 years can participate in NCSC, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language and ethnic background.
10 to 14 years constitute the lower age group; while 14+ to 17 years is called the upper age group. The age is calculated on the basis of attainment on 31 December of the calendar year.
NCSC is not necessarily a school-based program; it is open to all non formal systems of education besides out-of-school and disabled children. Children in the past have joined CSC from science centers, clubs, and other forums also, although they are also part of school systems.
In which Area One Should Do the Research/Project? Every year a focal theme is announced for the NCSC. The children are expected to carry out projects related to the focal theme and the identified subthemes. Activity guide books are available to help guide teachers and scientists.
A group of children not exceeding five can do the project with the help of scientists, school science teachers, coordinators of school science clubs, activists of science-based voluntary organizations, etc. The teachers/guides receive a special orientation on the theme of the NCSC every year.
The Evaluation Process of NCSC Projects: Screening of projects is done by the evaluators at District and State Level Congresses on the basis of oral presentation, project report, and aids used during presenting the report. Innovativeness, methodology, amount of work, the impact of the project outcome and teamwork form the basis of evaluation Evaluation Criteria of NCSC Projects
- Originality & relevance of the project idea
- Presentation
- Scientific understanding of the issue
- Data collection & analysis
- Experimentation/Scientific study/validation
- Problem-solving attempt (for district-level NCSC only)
- Problem solving attempt & follow up (for state & national level CSCs)
- Teamwork
- Background correction (for district-level CSC only)
- Improvement from the previous level (for State & National level only)
The best potential projects are further screened at national event by a team of evaluators. Shortlisted potential projects & Children involved with those projects will be given the opportunity to pursue their study in some of the designated laboratories for a specific period.
About 8 – 9 lakhs children participate every year in CSC starting from district level since 1993. It welcomes international participation and sharing of experience. It has records of international participation from countries like Germany, Srilanka, Bangladesh, and ASEAN Countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on NCSC
Who is eligible to participate?
This is a forum open to child scientists in the age of 10-17 years as on December 31 of the calendar year. This event of NCSC is not restricted to the school-going children only but is also open for the non-school children from the marginalized sections of the society.
NCSC 2021 details: 2021 year’s focal theme is “Science for Sustainable Living“. the very important and socially relevant current research issue world ever. Competition and recognition of merit are introduced at the district, state, and national levels. National level congress is due on December 27-31, at Bangalore.
- NCSC 2020-2021 Focal Theme: Main theme is “Science for Sustainable Living“
- SUB THEMES for NCSC 2020-2021:
- Eco System for Sustainable Living
- Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Living
- Social Innovation for Sustainable Living
- Design, Development and Modelling for Sustainable Living
- Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) for Sustainable Living
Previous years focal themes:
- Themes Covered so far
- 1993 : Know Your Environment.
- 1994 & 1995 : Clean-Up-India.
- 1996 & 1997 : India is our Dream – Let’s go for it.
- 1998 & 1999 : Nature – Let’s Care, Share & Conserve.
- 2000 & 2001 : Indigenous Scientific Knowledge for a better tomorrow.
- 2002 & 2003 : Food System towards nutrition for all.
- 2004 & 2005 : Harness Water Resources for our Future.
- 2006 & 2007 : Biodiversity: Nurture Nature for our Future.
- 2008 & 2009 : Planet Earth: Explore, Share and Conserve.
- 2010 & 2011 : Land Resources: Use for Prosperity, Save for Posterity.
- 2012 & 2013 : Energy: Explore, Harness and Conserve.
- 2014 & 2015 : Understanding Weather and Climate.
- 2016 & 2017 : Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development.
- 2018 & 2019 : Science, Technology & Innovation for A Clean, Green and Healthy Nation.
- 2020 : Science for Sustainable Living
National Level Science Project Competitions
| NCSC 2023 | NCSC Link |
|---|---|
| Activity Guide Book for NCSC 2023 | Download |
| NCSC Website | https://ncsc-india.in/ |
| NCSC Info | National Children’s Science Congress Info |
|---|---|
| NCSC 2023 | National Children’s Science Congress 2023 |
| NCSC themes 2023 | National Children’s Science Congress theme 2023 |
| District Level NCSC | NCSC District Level Science Project Competitions 2023 |
| State Level NCSC | NCSC State Level Science Project Competitions 2023 |
| National Level NCSC | NCSC National Level Science Project Competitions 2023 |
How to participate in national children science congress as a science teacher, and how to enroll student to get information regarding various activities of organisation
Present situation, due to covid19 effect
NCSC notification has not been released yet
can i have the 17th NCSC national level participants list of assam
I am from West Bengal
My name is Shresth Kumar Shaw. I am Studying in class 6 (VI) and my school name is Kendriya Vidyalaya BKP AFS.
Please give Some information about all the topics
This is a gread is you so very very happy that I have send my attendance at home
When will the result of 28th west Bengal State science Congress be published ?