Class IX student aces national-level science Olympiad, wins cash prize

Avika Bansal, a student of class IX at Apeejay School, Noida, has made her school proud by clearing the state-level and the national-level examinations of the Orange Global Science Olympiad (OGO). She was recently awarded a medal and prize money worth Rs 25,000 at a grand felicitation ceremony.

OGO is a “comprehensively designed, skill-based competitive exam” to identify students’ academic strengths and encourage them to aim for higher educational goals. It tests learners on their concept clarity and its application.  

The Apeejay student topped her school at the school-level examination (SLE). This was followed by the national level examination (NLE), in which she stood fourth. “I am thrilled about the results and was very happy to win the prize money. I plan to invest the money in future,” she said.  

Also Read: Indian student bags award by NASA; says ‘Elon Musk is my inspiration’

The Olympiad requires in-depth knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Talking about the preparation, Avika said, “The exam was based on the NCERT syllabus. They also provided us with a workbook, which helped me practise. I also reserved some time for revision before the exam.”

Avika’s parents and teachers not only motivated her but also guided her in learning. “My parents helped me with topics in Physics and Chemistry. On the other hand, my teacher at school cleared all my doubts in Biology.”

Avika has been participating in co-curricular activities for many years now. Her interests include coding, electronic projects, animation, and AI. “In class VIII, I won an inter-school coding competition. I also won the first prize in a project display at Bennett University recently,” she shared.

And that’s not all! She is also a YouTuber. She has been garnering attention with engaging videos on quizzes, puzzles, and brain teasers. “I work on my YouTube channel when I am free. I believe time management is crucial if you have to balance academics with your other interests. I usually make a to-do list, which helps me plan my day in advance without being overwhelmed with too much work,” she added.

Apeejay School, Noida, which strives to provide holistic education, always motivates and guides students in their journey of exploring talent and skills beyond the classroom. Echoing the thought, the class IX student said co-curricular activities help immensely in shaping one’s personality. “Participating in these activities is not about winning but more about getting a lot of exposure. You meet a lot of new people from diverse backgrounds. Inter-school competitions enable exchange of knowledge, improve presentation skills, and boost confidence,” she stressed.