HOW to Select and Prepare Project for NCSC
I am writing this article to help you, to select a appropriate topic and preparing a good project. Before start preparing a project, you need to know about NCSC. There are some ground rules to know and follow. I divided it in to simple STEPS.
What is NCSC:
Children’s Science Congress is targeted to spread the concept of the method of science among the children their project activities adopting the principle of learning through doing’. The mandate of participation is that, the children will carry out a project on a particular topic in relation to theme and sub-theme decided for the year.
THE FOCAL THEME for this year:
For the year 2022 is UNDERSTANDING ECOSYSTEM FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, which divided in to following 5 sub themes.
SUB THEMES:
1-Know Your Ecosystem.
3-Social and Cultural practices for Ecosystem and Health.
4-Ecosystem Based Approach (EBA) for Self-reliance.
5-Technological Innovation for Ecosystem and Health.
STEP I - Check your ELIGIBILITY:
Lower age group- 10 years to 14 years
Upper age group- 14years to 17 years
Age will be decided by December 31 of the calendar year.Upper age group- 14years to 17 years
How many members in a GROUP:
A group of children not exceeding two can do the project study under a guide teacher.
Hope you understand about NCSC now starts how to make a ideal project. Let’s start with-STEP II- Selection of topic:
Select topic for project wisely, you done half work if you select a good topic.
Criteria for a good project may fall under:
1-Choose a realistic problem or question as a topic related to your local area.
2-Project topic must be related to the sub theme or focal theme of the NCSC.
3-Your topic should fall within one of the sub-themes (as mentioned above).
4-Topic must have direct relevance to the society and the environment.
5-Project must within your capabilities and fits into your time frame.
6- Originality and innovativeness of the topic.
7- Relevance of the proposal to the community /school and impact of the study on the schoolmates and/or community.
In broad sense, the projects for the National Children's Science Congress can be divided into Three categories
(a) Experimentation: Provide list of materials used, explain the treatments and control, provide neatly labeled sketch and/ or diagram wherever necessary, document every step of the study by taking photograph, etc
(a) Experimentation: Provide list of materials used, explain the treatments and control, provide neatly labeled sketch and/ or diagram wherever necessary, document every step of the study by taking photograph, etc
(b) Survey: Clearly describe methodology followed, sampling procedure and sample size based on population, provide sample questionnaire used, document every step of the work by taking photograph etc.
(c) Case study: This is a specific study carried out focusing on a particular area/ community to understand certain issues or its impact (In such cases, principles of survey will remain same, with explanation in context of the area/community covered, along with significant learning outcomes apart from the other processes of data analysis and interpretation)
NATURE OF PROJECTS:
- Representing teamwork.
- Based on exploration of everyday life-situations.
- Involving field based data collection.
- Having definite outputs, arrived to draw an inference using simple methods of science and research methodology.
- Related directly to community from which/ where the problem has been addressed.
- Having follow-up plans and action.
Additional information for survey based projects:
Identification of respondent
Location mapping
Unit of observation
Sampling technique
Sample coverage /size (which should be representative of the population under consideration).
Design of interview schedule /questionnaire
Analysis and interpretation of gathered information
Drawing inference/conclusion
Surveys should, be elaborate, comprehensive and should be aided with additional techniques like participatory mapping / appraisal techniques, focus group discussions, etc. Care should be taken that surveys do not get reduced to mere filling-up of predesigned questionnaires which are done mechanically without any cross-checking and/or active participation of the respondents. Such decisions may vary with the nature of study.
STEP III- HOW to assemble project in file:
Attach all papers in the following sequences. You can use this list, as check list before going to presentation.
Cover page - The cover page should contain the title of your project written on the top in large font. Try to make the cover page attractive. If you are writing your report in language other than English, write in English also. Cover page may include Name and address of Group leader and co-workers, name and address of guide teacher along with title.
2- Abstract - in 250 words for lower age group and 300 words for upper age group in English.
3- Contents- list of chapter with detail heading and sub-heading, list of table, chart, maps, etc. along with references against page numbers.
4- Introduction- Write the title of the project on the top. The introduction is a general discussion on the topic and what you are planning to do. Description on background of the study and its relevance to the focal theme, rationale and social context in two to three paragraphs 5- Aims and objectives of the study - Add half page for it, explain in short Must be written clearly point by point, not as running statement.
(not more than five)
6- Hypothesis - A proposed explanation made on the basis of
limited information as a starting point for further
study, to be written clearly in one or two
sentences.
7- Need statement - Justify why you selected this project in 50 to 100 words. Also justify how your work is related to the main theme/sub-themes of the congress.
8- Work plan - Write in short about the scheme of work to complete the project. You may represent it graphically through flow charts. Remember, your scheme may vary later.
9- Methodology - It is the base of the project so proper design of the experiments or the questionnaire is very necessary. In this chapter you should write how you have done the project, when you did (month day etc.) and how you have selected samples.
Methodology leading to a work plan which are to be decided on the basis of nature of the project and the time available to carry out the project.
In case of a survey based project, one should be extremely careful not to get carried away by simple surveys which are questionnaire based where the participation of the community is negligible.
10- Observations - Here you need to present the data that you have collected. This refers to what has been observed during the experimentation. Observation can be both qualitative as well as quantitative, Please note that observing some phenomenon is different in scientific parlance where specific information is generated under different set of conditions. The qualitative data (information) need to be transformed into quantitative form either using ranking approach or weighted index for numerical analysis.
11- Data analysis and interpretation - The data that have been generated out of experiments/observations/survey need to be tabulated in a structured manner. Different tools and methods can be used to analyse the data, to understand the patterns that emerge from it to get results and finally draw conclusions. (Remember, the raw data that is generated is not the final result. Raw data is to be analysed using simple statistical methods/tools and then the interpretation of the result to be made).
12- Results - Now it is time to interpret the data you had collected and analysed. Present the results of the analysis. Relevant maps, figures such as graphs, tables may be used judiciously to represent results. Take care to make your presentation as simple as possible. If results contains units than use properly.
13- Conclusions - Now it is time to draw conclusions. Include your suggestions that you think can solve the problem. You should not generalise your observations/conclusions or derive big conclusions as you are working in a small area with a small sample size.
14- Solution to the problem - Once you implement a permanent (more or less permanent) solution to the problem write down the steps of implementation and how you have solved it. Figures, photographs, maps, letters, articles published for sensitization may be given along it.
15- Future plan - Action plan for follow-up actions is always expected. The work that you have carried out needs to conveyed to the general masses. What type of action you have planned for it.
16- Acknowledgement - Acknowledge the help and co-operation you got from various individuals and organisations. Remember that, you should record your thanks/gratefulness to all those who have helped you or encouraged you, it does not matter how small the help may be or how less important the person may be. However, this chapter preferably should not be more than a page.
17- References - This is the last chapter of your project report. Here you should quote all study materials used (e.g., books, articles, new paper, personal interviews etc.) You should write references in a specific order.
STEP IV- Things to PONDER:
Always remember following rules at the time of writing the project:
1- Use A-4 size (i.e. 21 cm x 29.7 cm or 8.3" x 11.8") paper and use only one side to write.
2- The report should be in any constitutionally recognised Indian language.
3- There is a limitation for the size of the project report.3500 words for projects of upper age group and 2500 words for projects of lower age group.
4- The report must be hand written (A type written report, a computer print-out of the report will not be accepted).
5- Keep a duplicate copy of your report with you for your reference.
6- Plagiarism would lead to disqualification.
6- Plagiarism would lead to disqualification.
STEP V- How Maintain Log Book:
Throughout the process of doing your any science (including NCSC) project, you should keep a journal containing all of your important ideas and information. This journal is called a laboratory notebook (or Log Book)
1- Have date-wise entries in the book. Use the log book regularly and systematically.
2- Put your name, address, phone numbers etc.
3- Number the pages.
4- Record the date and time of every observation.
5- Don’t worry about the neatness of the log book.
6- It should be used during all phases of your project,
7- Jotting down ideas or thoughts for a project, phone numbers, contacts or sources and prices of supplies, book references, diagrams, graphs, figures, charts, sketches, or calculations.
Which Type(s) of question(s) to be chosen-
STEP VII- How prepare Chart:
Dichotomous questions- Using "yes/no" question, or "agree/disagree" questions
Multiple choice questions
Rank-order
Rating scale questions
The questions for the questionnaire should be clear, concise, and direct. This will ensure to get the best possible answers from the respondents.
The questions need be short and simple.
Only one question is to be asked at a time.
Only questions that are directly useful to the research are to be incorporated.
Use of 4 posters (charts) during the project presentation is compulsory. Poster must contains all informations given on STEP-IV.
- SIZE of poster must be 55 cm x 70 cm (21.6" x 27.5")
- Organize your information like a newspaper so that your audience can quickly follow the thread of your project.
- Use a BIGGER font size.
- The title should be big and easily read from across the room.
- You should never try to cramp a lot of information in to the posters.
- During presentation do not ever try to explain all the things given in the posters.
- Charts will help you during the presentation.
Remember, A picture speaks a thousand words!
STEP VIII- PRESENTATION:
Oral presentation of your work is as important as your written report.
Oral presentation is made by group leader only.
Oral presentation is made by group leader only.
The time limit for the presentation is 8 minutes.
Use of 8 minutes needs pragmatic planning.
Tell something about the goals of Global Sustainable Development report.
Presentation must be clear and sober. Keep it Simple, Concentrate on your Core topic.
STEP IX- JUDGMENT:
Your project work will be evaluated on the following criteria-
Time yourself carefully; Practice your presentation with a stipulated time.
Body language is one of the most crucial vehicles to interact. During presentations, you always use facial expressions and hand movements to explain and communicate your message.
STEP IX- JUDGMENT:
Your project work will be evaluated on the following criteria-
Written Report and Oral Presentation are evaluated separately.
Reports are to be evaluated for clarity of the objectives. design of methodology, experimental or survey design, systematic presentation of data, tabulation of data. graphical representation; Log Book, authenticated with the signature of the guide on a regular basis, is mandatory
Oral presentation would be evaluated on the basis of the Interaction with the evaluators, presentation of charts/ posters, log book and any other supporting material.
NCSC 2022 Schedule (tentative)
Activity | Tentative dates |
Selection and registration of team | 1st November |
District Level Congress | 9th November |
State Level Congress | By mid-November (Please go through the NCSC Website) |
30th National Level Congress | National Children's Science Congress from 27th Dec to 31st Dec 22. |
'Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan' | 3-7 Jan (Venue will be announced shortly) |
Disclaimer- I tried my best to add information, about How to prepare project for my students.
I just simplified the terms of NCSC, with examples. you should visit the website (link given below) in case of any confusion, and for project ideas. Thank You for reading. Let me know, how this article useful for you.
2- Status of Invasive aquatic Euchronia plant in the ponds of Pilibhit.
3- Changes in air quality after lockdown in your area.
4- Plastic ban: A reality check.
5- Use of Traditional plant growth promoters.
6- Traditional knowledge of various agricultural tools and its applicability in organic farming.
7- Why we should use turmeric milk during winter?
8- Some traditional ways to conserve water and purification of water.
9- To study of food habits of village people.
10- Is pure drinking water available to all?
11- Effect of ponds on vegetation in PILIBHIT.
12- Study on local festival, rituals & its relationship with mapping of agriculture.
13- Study and understanding the plastics lifestyle in today's era.
14- Correlation between increase in number of dustbin and level of cleanliness in society.
15- In agriculture in coming of technology can change agriculture history.
16- Significance of twig datoons for tooth brushing.
17- Fighting poverty by minimizing food waste through multidisciplinary research.
18- Comparative study of hygienic condition of male and female to control disease.
19- Level of sanitation in villages after construction of free toilets by government.
20- Conversion of kitchen waste into valuable manure.
REFER to Activity
Few suggested projects.
1- Understanding the impact of human activities on the Tiger population in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve area. 2- Status of Invasive aquatic Euchronia plant in the ponds of Pilibhit.
3- Changes in air quality after lockdown in your area.
4- Plastic ban: A reality check.
5- Use of Traditional plant growth promoters.
6- Traditional knowledge of various agricultural tools and its applicability in organic farming.
7- Why we should use turmeric milk during winter?
8- Some traditional ways to conserve water and purification of water.
9- To study of food habits of village people.
10- Is pure drinking water available to all?
11- Effect of ponds on vegetation in PILIBHIT.
12- Study on local festival, rituals & its relationship with mapping of agriculture.
13- Study and understanding the plastics lifestyle in today's era.
14- Correlation between increase in number of dustbin and level of cleanliness in society.
15- In agriculture in coming of technology can change agriculture history.
16- Significance of twig datoons for tooth brushing.
17- Fighting poverty by minimizing food waste through multidisciplinary research.
18- Comparative study of hygienic condition of male and female to control disease.
19- Level of sanitation in villages after construction of free toilets by government.
20- Conversion of kitchen waste into valuable manure.
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