SL Wiz-teens duo Google Science Fair finalists
2016 marks an exciting year for Nishen Menerapitya, Abishek Gomes and for Sri Lanka. The two teenagers are among 100 Regional finalists of the prestigious Google Science Fair, which is the first time Sri Lanka has been represented at the finals of this competition.
Established in 2011, the online international science competition is open to students between the ages of 13-18, to present Science and Engineering projects focused on creating a positive impact on the world. The winners receive scholarships and cash prizes. For Nishen and Abishek, the chance to participate in the competition came as an unexpected opportunity.
Nishen, 15, always knew he wanted to “change the world.” Incidentally, Nishen came across the competition while on the Lego website, when an ad popped up with the link to the web page. “The ad asked, "Do you want to change the world?” which propelled Nishen into a year’s worth of research and experimentation thereafter.
An avid fan of National Geographic and shows such as “Brain Games”, Nishen can’t remember the exact age at which he began carrying out experiments, which had always been a hobby for the young- ster ever since he was little. His submission for the competition based on aiding the world food crisis was one that Nishen focused on at a smaller, yet practical level. Using Auxin, Cytokinin and Gebberillinin growth promoters on crops such as mung beans and rice, Nishen was able to speed up the growth of the crops without harming the soil.
An O/L student at St. Joseph’s College, Nishen was never fazed by the pressure of the competition and the major examination looming a few months away. His secret is simple. “I started from the first day itself”, spending a lot of his free time surrounded by piles of books in the school library. Interestingly, his experiment has little connection with his studies, more advanced in comparison in terms of subject matter unlike Biology, which he is studying as part of his O/L syllabus.
With the initial excitement of being one of the Regional finalists now sinking in, it has done little to change his plans. “I’d like to take a break after O/Ls,” he smiles sheepishly. But then it’s back to the small lab that Nishen put together in his bedroom, where he plans on improving his experiment to make it more a more practical venture. “One of the problems is the attitude towards science,” which he feels is still taught from a more theoretical perspective, rather than practical.
Basing his submission on a very practical prob- lem is 16-year-old Abishek Gomes. A student of Belvoir College International, Abishek discovered a love for computers and a healthy appetite for innovation and curiosity. Although he never attended a computer class, the teenager taught himself computer programming and combined it with a personally driven desire to help the differently-abled.
His submission was inspired by the cross communication of sign language (American Sign Language).
His invention was a pair of gloves interlinked with a smart phone application, which translates gestures into English and allows it to be displayed directly on the screen, thus acting as a translator. Abishek’s invention was previously showcased at the Sri Lanka Science & Engineering Fair (SLSEF) 2016 and Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2016, where it won several awards. Like Nishen, Abishek came across the competition by chance, after applying to ISEF, because, “I had a few projects lying around and I wondered what to do with them.”
Although he almost missed a few deadlines, Anishek credits his supportive family who have backed him in all the ups and downs of his gadget. Combining his love for computing, electronics and a spunky attitude, the 16-year-old also wants to better his submission and doesn’t plan on taking a break from inventing any time soon.
The finalists of the Google Science Fair will be announced on August 11.
- Purnima Pilapitiya