Apeejay Nerul students shine in Mumbai region; qualify for the national-level quiz competition

In a remarkable achievement, Siddharth Vivek and Nandikaa Singh, students of class 12 of Apeejay School, Nerul, achieved victory at the “Metals & Materials Quiz.” This event was organised by the Mumbai Chapter of Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) in Association with Materials Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. The competition took place at the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Convention Centre, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai.

With participation from a total of 26 schools across Mumbai, the quiz was structured with multiple levels of challenges. The initial round served as the qualifying phase, where all participating teams showcased their knowledge. Siddharth and Nandikaa outshone their competitors effortlessly, securing their spot in the semi-finals along with seven other teams.

Among the eight semi-finalist teams, Apeejay School Nerul emerged as frontrunners, securing their place in the finals. After a series of six rounds of rigorous questioning, the duo was hailed as the winners of the quiz. Their outstanding performance earned them well-deserved certificates and trophies. This triumph further earned them the privilege of representing the Mumbai Chapter at the national level quiz, scheduled to be held in Kalpakkam, Chennai in the first week of September. The students’ travel and accommodation for this prestigious event will be facilitated by BARC, Mumbai.

In addition to their quiz participation, the students were treated to an enlightening lecture titled ‘The Journey of Rare Earth Elements; Stars to Smartphones’, delivered by Dr Kartikey K Yadav, Scientific Officer, Rare Earth Development Section, Materials Group, BARC. The lecture provided a captivating insight into the fascinating world of rare earth elements and their journey from celestial bodies to everyday technological devices.

A pivotal component of the event was the interaction session with accomplished scientists. The participating students were given the opportunity to engage with the experts, posing questions and learning from their extensive experiences. This interaction not only expanded their knowledge but also served as a source of inspiration for their own academic journeys.

The victory of Siddharth Vivek and Nandikaa Singh at the “Metals & Materials Quiz” exemplifies the academic excellence and dedication. Their remarkable achievement is a testament to their hard work, determination, and passion for learning. As they prepare to represent the Mumbai Chapter on the national stage, their success serves as an inspiration for their peers and a source of pride for the school.

Nandikaa Singh exclaimed, “It was an awesome experience. We got to learn about a completely new field, material science. Although we had prepared on short notice, we were able to cover all the major points required for the quiz. Along with the quiz, we also got to attend a lecture based on rare earth metals. We got the chance to interact with some scientists as well. Overall it was a wonderful and educational experience.”

Siddharth Vivek shared his thoughts, stating, “I must say, it was an incredibly enriching experience. We prepared on relatively short notice, but covered all the major points related to materials science and metallurgy. I got to learn a lot about a completely new field, and found it very fascinating! We are now preparing hard for the final round.”