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To celebrate
the World Science Day – 2005 (10 November 2005) the Special
Committee on Popularization of Science (SCOPS) of National
Science Foundation (NSF) organized four satellite programmes in
the following districts.
·
Hambantota
·
Ratnapura
·
Ampara
·
Badulla
The theme for
the World Science Day this year was “Science for disaster
mitigation”. The programme for each district was
planned considering the ecological/climatic conditions and
natural disasters that prevail in the districts. The selected
districts for this programmes were strongly vulnerable to
natural disasters.
These
programmes were targeted for the year 10 & 11 school children
in the above districts. The main objectives of the programmes
were to educate and create awareness on disasters, preparedness
& mitigation. Hence the programmes included presentations
related to disasters and other important issues relevant to the
districts made by eminent scientists in the country. The
programmes also included poster competitions and an oratory
competition based on the theme “Science for disaster
mitigation”.
Refreshments
for all the participants and other necessary resources were
provided by the NSF.
Hambantota
district satellite programme
This
programme was held at Hungama Wijayaba National School, Hungama
in down south on the 06 August 2005.
Even though it was a Saturday more than 450 students from
various parts the Hambantota district participated.
Hambantota is
known as a district highly exposed for prolonged droughts.
Costal belt of the district was devastated badly by the recent
tsunami.
Regional
coordinator for the programme was Mr. U. A. J. Rathnayake,
Research Officer, Agricultural Research & Development Centre –
Angunakolapelessa. The Principal and teachers in the host school
also extended their support in organizing the event.
The following
presentations were made
- “Problems
related to water resources in Ruhuna”
– by Prof. K. D. N. Weerasinghe,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna.
- “How to
minimize the impact from natural disasters”
– by Dr Ruchira Cumaranatunga, Department of Fisheries
Biology, University
of Ruhuna.
- “Dry zone
crops”
– by Mr W. A. K. Karunathilaka,
Research Officer, Natural Resource Management Centre,
Peradeniya.
- “First-aids”
– by Mr Gamini Karunarathne,
Hambantota district educational office.
The
contestants of the oratory competition were equally talented and
the judgers found it very difficult to select the winner. An
attractive informative set of posters drawn by some school
children were displayed at the poster competition.
The school
children of the host school presented a very colourful drama,
named “Gasaka Mahima” which shows the importance of
protecting trees for the future generations in order to minimize
any adverse effects which can be caused to the environment.
Ratnapura
district satellite programme
World Science
Day programme for the Ratnapura district was held at Sumana
Balika Vidyalaya, Ratnapura on 30 September 2005.
Ratnapura district was chosen due to the frequent occurrence of
floods and landslides during rainy seasons.
Mr T. G. N.
Mahinda, Extension Officer, Tea Research Institute, Ratnapura,
was the Regional Coordinator for the programme. More than 400
students from schools in Ratnapura and Nivithigala zones
participated in the event.
Following
presentations were made during this programme.
·
“Landslides and floods”
– by Mr R. M. S. Bandara, Head, landslide division,
National Building and Research Organization (NBRO).
·
“Gem industry & the environmental effects”
– by Mr Thilak Dharmarathna, Gem and Jewelry research & Training Institute, Ratnapura.
·
“First-aids” – by Mrs P. D. C. M.
Saranasinghe, Adminstrative Health Officer.
Dr M. C. N.
Jayasuriya, the Director NSF, in his address stressed the
importance of extending the knowledge of Science & Technology to
village level.
School girls
of Sumana Balika performed a beautiful drama based on the
problem related to landslides, floods & its mitigation.
Prizes were
awarded to the winners of the poster and oratory competitions.
The programme was concluded successfully.
Ampara
district satellite programme
This programme
was held at Al-Mazhar Girls High School – Nintavur in
the eastern coast on 03 October 2005.
Ampara district was the most affected district in the recent
tsunami. Floods and cyclones are also prevalent in this
district.
More than 500
students from south eastern coastal zones participated and the
programme was conducted in Tamil medium. The regional
coordinator for the program was Mr A. N. Ahamed, Dean, Faculty
of Natural Sciences, South Eastern
University.
Presentations
were prepared on topics related to the natural disasters and
water problems that affect the district by the lecturers
attached to the South Eastern
University and a lecture on First-aid by a Registred Medical
Practioner at Nintavur.
The drama was
performed by the school children of M/ Maruthamunai Shams Central College based on cyclone. This school was totally devastated
by the tsunami and are presently conducting their studies in a
mosque. The courage and the commitment shown by these students
in performing a wonderful drama was commendable.
Badulla
district satellite programme
Badulla
district regional World Science Day programme was the final
programme of this series. This was held at Hali-ella Central College, Hali-ella, on the 14 October 2005, with the
participation of more than 600 students in the district.
Landslides and
rock falls are the most frequent natural disasters in the
Badulla district. Man made disasters such as forest fires and
epidemics are also common here.
This programme
was coordinated by Mr Kapila Chandana Kuruppuarachchi,
Pradeshiya Saba member of the area. Dr Jayantha Wattavidanage,
Dept. of Zooly, Open University, made a very informative and
interesting presentation on “Environment and human health”.
Other
presentations were on “Landslides” – by Mr R. M. S.
Bandara of NBRO and “Upcountry vegetables and safe
use of pesticides” – by Mr K. P.
Somachandra, Agricultural Officer attached to Bandarawela
Regional Agricultural resource centre.
Contestants
for the oratory competition were very enthusiastic and performed
very well and thanked school teachers and the students
appreciated NSF for organizing successful regional programmes to
educate and encourage school children in rural areas. |
