Student Achiever: Gold medal triumph in Science sets new standards

Students today are not just concentrating on their academic achievements. For them, getting an edge early in life can help them climb the success ladder that much faster. For this, they are willing to go that extra mile – be it studying extra hours and immersing themselves in projects and exams that will make them stand out in a crowd.

Meet one such student Akshaj Parhar of class VII at Apeejay School, Nerul, who was awarded a Gold medal and a certificate for the Dr Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Spardha competition. The exam is conducted by the Mumbai Science Teachers’ Association for students studying in classes VI to IX.

In a candid interview, Akshaj talks about what motivated him to sit for the competition among other things.

Tell us about yourself.

I have recently gone into class VII. My hobbies are vocal classical music and singing, and I also enjoy playing cricket.

What motivated you to take this exam?

The Dr Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Spardha completion is very prestigious and has a long history. I had to prepare for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The preparation was extensive since the exam was based solely on Science. My mother also appeared for this exam, which motivated me to take it.

Describe the exam process.

The exam consisted of four stages and spanned throughout the year. The first stage was a theory exam with multiple-choice questions. The second stage involved practical experiments where we had to perform experiments, write observations and results, and answer questions. This was followed by two interviews, one project interview on ‘fashion and environment’, and a general science interview where questions were not strictly syllabus-based but covered a broad range of scientific topics.

What role did your school and teachers play in your preparation?

The school and teachers were instrumental in my preparation. They organised some sessions and guided us through the process, taking us to the lab and demonstrating experiments. My class teacher and other school course teachers also provided significant support and guidance.

Why did you choose sustainable sportswear as your project topic?

As an avid cricketer, I’m interested in the jerseys worn during tournaments like the IPL. Observing that sportswear has also become a fashion statement led me to explore sustainable alternatives to polyester, which is problematic due to its non-biodegradability and contribution to micro-plastic pollution.

Tell us more about your project on sustainable sportswear.

My project involved experimenting with natural fabrics like cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo, and banana, comparing them to polyester. I discovered that bamboo was superior in terms of quick drying, sweat absorption, and moisture wicking, making it a suitable alternative. However, since bamboo isn’t very durable or stretchable, it needs to be blended with other materials in certain areas of sportswear. For this, I met a few people like a fashion engineer who explained to me that mixing bamboo with five percent elastic would address the issue of durability and stretchability.

My parents also stepped in whenever I would get stuck and helped me out in every way they could. They provided me with all the necessary resources that made it possible for me to get the Gold.

What challenges did you face during your project?

Unfortunately, the submission of the project and the final exams of class VI were clashing. So I had to manage my time in such a manner that I could finish and submit the project on time, sit for the school exams, and score well.

Did you expect to win a gold medal in this exam?

Once I had cleared the first two rounds I knew that I would get a medal. What I didn’t know was which one – Gold, Silver or Bronze. I wasn’t entirely hopeful about winning the Gold medal because I barely passed the practical round by one mark. The result was a surprise announced during the prize distribution on stage.