Class 10 student wins award from Government of India for scientific innovation

Aditya Jain, a student of class X at Apeejay School, Faridabad Sector 15, has bagged a prestigious award from the Government of India for his innovative project: An automatic weed sprayer for farmers.

Aditya won the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Award and a cash prize of Rs 10,000.

The INSPIRE scheme is a flagship programme of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, which aims to foster a culture of creativity among school children by promoting innovations rooted in science and societal applications.

Excerpts from an interview:

How did you come up with the idea of making an automatic weed sprayer?

I was visiting my cousin’s house in Rohtak a few months back, and on the way, there were some agricultural fields. I noticed some farmers were spraying weed without wearing any safety equipment. Using chemicals without a safety mask or PPE kit can be harmful. It made me wonder if it would be possible to design a remote-controlled spray machine, which could help ease work for farmers. That is how I came up with the idea.

Tell us how you designed the machine.

Once I got the idea, I researched online about DC motors and remote control mechanisms because I was not aware of the process. Gradually, I began working on the prototype. I wanted to design a model that would be affordable for farmers. So, I built the model with a solar panel to avoid dependency on batteries, thereby reducing the cost. I also came across an automatic perfume sprayer while visiting a shopping mall once — the sprayer needs a red arm mechanism that is pushed down to eject the perfume. I used the same mechanism in my weed sprayer model along with a spray bottle containing 2,4 -D weedicide and a nozzle tube. It has a DC motor for the wheels to help the machine rotate and move. It is also fitted with cameras for farmers to detect weeds and harmful pests in the fields.

What help did you get from your parents and the teachers at Apeejay?

I was in constant touch with my teachers, who guided me and helped me resolve any problems I faced. They were very cooperative. My father, who is good at Mechanics, also helped me in designing the project accurately.

What does this award mean to you?

When I started working on this project, I was very nervous because I was not good at Mechanics. But I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot in the process. This award means a lot to me, and I am grateful to have received this recognition.