By Rubab Azeem
Lahore (January 28, 2018) The Second Lahore Science Mela was organized at the Ali Institute of Education on 27th and 28th January, 2018. It was an open-for-all temporary science museum of sorts which welcomed the people of Lahore to explore the scientific discoveries and milestones in Pakistan. At this grand celebration of science, the Khwarizmi Science Society and Ali Institute of Education hosted around 70 exhibits of various government-based and non-government organizations.
The inauguration of the Mela took place on 27th January in Syed Babar Ali’s presence. He said in his speech to the visitors and the teams that “I wish and pray for our children, that they take part in scientific activities. Science enthusiasm is not innate; science is observation and hard work and we are trying to bring the spirit of experimentation in our children, which is the idea behind the Mela”. Scientists from different parts of Pakistan and other countries also visited Lahore for the Mela including Sharareh Dastjerdi from Isfahan and Dr. Muhammad Hamid Zaman from Boston University.
One of the largest science exhibition of Pakistan, Lahore Science Mela 2108 is a science festival organized by the Khwarizmi science society with the collaboration of some of the Pakistan’s leading corporations and public-sector organizations along with academia, entrepreneurs and specialists in various science fields at Ali Institute of Education on 27th and 28th January, 2018. It kicked-off with a massive attendance of students, teachers, families and individuals from all the provinces of Pakistan.
Different organizations such as Pakistan Science Club, PCSIR, JF Labs, Makeistan, Robokids, EjaadTech, Lahore Astronomical Society, The Planetary Society, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Government College, Lahore and CECOS University, Peshawar were a part of the event. A team of mathematicians from Iran participated in the Mela as well. They represented the Isfahan Mathematics House. Teams of students from Sukkur represented IBA Sukkur through their scientific models. Apart from that, different schools took part in the Mela where the students were given an opportunity to showcase their scientific models and inventions. Moreover, the visitor watched with awe while little scientists such as Huzair Awan, Moiz Mudassar Khokhar, Elsa Khokhar and Aimen Rajput demonstrated their inventions and scientific experimentation. The 11 year old Moiz Mudassar surprised the visitors by extracting DNA from fruits; which was not only an element of surprise but also a source of inspiration to other children.
Talking to The Educationist, the general secretary of Khwarizmi Science Society Dr. Sabieh Anwar said, “The main objective of Lahore Science Mela is to portray Science in an interesting way. Science is not something very far away from the human intellect. We use scientific laws and principles daily therefore, it should be associated with the general public.”
What was different about this Mela was that it was open for all and did not require the visitors to pay to be a part of it. Art, culture and photography was introduced along with scientific exhibits. The spirit of Mela was everywhere; especially at the food stalls with exotic and Desi food items. As the world is moving forward towards a more technologically sophisticated future, most of our children are drawn away from science because it is considered a boring subject. What we need to realize is that science is not merely theoretical and need not be taught dryly. Instead we need to give a hands-on experience of practical science to our children so that the scientist in them does not die with time (which has happened to most of us).
President Lahore Astronomical Society Mr. Umair Asim said that “Science is quite approachable. People get away from science due to the bad teachers of science. All you have to do is to show the children that science is very easy.”
The Mela offered this very hands-on experience that parents look for when they take their children to science fests. The exhibits ranged from microscopic observations to observing the night sky; the Lahore Science Mela had something for everyone!
