National Children's Science Congress-2026: Commitment to Sustainable Development through Scientific Thinking and Innovation

National Children's Science Congress-2026: Commitment to Sustainable Development through Scientific Thinking and Innovation 33 district coordinators and resource teachers completed state-level orientation Emphasis on developing scientific solutions to local problems on the theme 'Science and Innovation for Sustainability' Raipur, July 17, 2026 – The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Chhattisgarh, together with the Chhattisgarh Science and Technology Council (COST) and with the assistance of the National Council for Science Communication, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, organized a one‑day state‑level orientation workshop for district coordinators and resource teachers under the 32nd National Children’s Science Congress‑2026. The workshop was held on Friday at the Regional Science Center, Raipur. The workshop aimed to familiarize teachers and district coordinators across the state with the new theme of the National Children’s Science Congress, the project‑building process, scientific research methodology and evaluation system, so that more and more students can prepare scientific projects based on local problems and showcase their talent at the national level. The event was conducted under the guidance of the principal secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Shri Sonmani Bora, and the director‑general of the Chhattisgarh Science and Technology Council and Regional Science Center, Shri Prashant Kaviswar. Important platform to connect students with science and research The National Children’s Science Congress is a prestigious scientific program that provides an important platform for students aged 10 to 17 to engage with science and research. Through the programme, students adopt scientific methods, identify local problems, collect and analyze data, and present innovation‑based solutions. Children scientists selected at block, district and state levels represent their state at the national level. Developing scientific outlook, research capacity and innovation‑based thinking in students On this occasion, scientists of the Chhattisgarh Science and Technology Council including Scientist “E” and state coordinator Dr. J. K. Rai, Scientist “D” Dr. A. K. Pathak, Scientist “D” Dr. Amit Dubey, state academic coordinator Prof. (Dr.) Keshav Kant Sahu and senior plant‑science educator Dr. V. K. Kanungo participated in the programme. All speakers highlighted the relevance of the Congress theme "Science and Innovation for Sustainability", stating that the biggest need today is to develop a scientific outlook, research capacity and innovation‑based thinking among students. They urged teachers and district coordinators to inspire students to scientifically identify problems around them and develop practical solutions. Outline and project‑building information of the National Children’s Science Congress During the workshop, state coordinator Dr. J. K. Rai gave a detailed briefing on the overall framework, eligibility, project‑building process, research methodology, documentation, presentation and evaluation system of the National Children’s Science Congress‑2026. He explained that scientific projects should not remain limited to textbook knowledge but must be based on local needs and socially useful topics, thereby fostering social responsibility along with scientific thinking among students. Promotion of projects based on local problems In the technical session, experts presented detailed talks on various sub‑topics of this year’s theme. Topics included waste management through R5 technology (Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Redesign and Recycle), energy conservation and innovation through the E4 model (Explore, Experiment, Enhance and Evolve), rainwater harvesting, recycling and conservation, and the use of Indian knowledge systems for the sustainability of food, agriculture and health. Experts said that excellent scientific projects based on solutions to local problems can be developed by students on these subjects. Call to link with the spirit of Mission LiFE State academic coordinator Prof. (Dr.) Keshav Kant Sahu introduced the Congress theme and its sub‑topics in detail, emphasizing that giving students only scientific information is not enough; they must also be motivated to conduct research, collect data, analyze and think solution‑oriented. He familiarized mentors with scientific writing, project presentation and evaluation standards and appealed for greater student participation in line with the spirit of Mission LiFE. Message of environmental protection through R5 technology Dr. V. K. Kanungo, in his lecture, highlighted the usefulness of the R5 principles, stating that judicious use of resources, reduction of waste, reuse, redesign and recycling can protect natural resources. He encouraged students to adopt these principles in daily life for environmental protection. Special emphasis on energy conservation and artificial intelligence Dr. Ayush Khare, Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, provided detailed information on the growing use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector. He explained that AI‑based technologies are giving a new direction to increase energy efficiency, better resource management and the development of clean energy systems. He called on students to undertake innovation‑driven research in the energy field. Appeal to promote scientific projects Prof. Namita Brahme urged teachers to promote school‑level scientific projects such as energy audits, LED studies, solar cookers and other scientific initiatives, stating that each student should become an "Energy Ambassador" and spread awareness of energy conservation in society. Teachers across the state will be mentors of scientific talent All district coordinators and resource teachers from the 33 districts of the state participated enthusiastically in the workshop. Through the training they were provided guidance needed to successfully organize the National Children’s Science Congress‑2026 and to link as many child scientists as possible with research and innovation‑based projects. In the upcoming state‑level Children’s Science Congress, selected child scientists from across the state will showcase their research projects, with outstanding participants representing Chhattisgarh at the national level. Scientists and officials of the Chhattisgarh Science and Technology Council and the Regional Science Center also actively participated in the workshop.