Innovation: The young scientists of the Golden Youth Award camp invented different types of prototype devices for the physically challenged during the afternoon session at the camp yesterday.

The 80 participants were divided into 20 groups based on their dzongkhags.

The participants were given only local materials and products such as wood, used tyres, nails and papers, among others, to be used for the prototype devices. They were given two hours to come up with a device.

Judges from various organisations participated and judged the participants based on the seven criteria such as teamwork, ease of using the device, the purpose of the device, creativity displayed, materials used and presentation, among others.

Programme officer with the Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF), Roma Pradhan, said along with the three judges, Pema Tshering would also judge the student’s works. Pema Tshering is an artist working at Simply Bhutan, a museum and photo studio at YDF.

“The students will be judged on their innovative ideas. Their works will be crude for now since they are given limited time but their ideas and concepts will be helpful especially for rural people who can’t afford expensive gadgets or materials,” Roma Pradhan said.

The devices that the children have come up are impressive and it shows how interested they are in science, Roma Pradhan said. “The competition also provides a platform to students who want to show their interest in the science and also encourage them to use what they have studied in a practical way.”

The students came up with various prototype devices, keeping the central idea in mind, such as an electric rotor car using batteries, a smart chair built with wood, a simple vehicle that uses batteries, skate wheels using bottle caps, and wheel chairs made out of cardboard papers, among others.

Students from Bumthang built a periscope and simplified clipper use.

A student from Tang central school, Jambay Selden, 15, said the periscope could be used to see things that are beyond reach for those who cannot move around easily.

We had made the clipper using a lengthy wood, strings, nail and paper to reach for things that are also beyond reach, Jambay Selden said.

While Kuenleg Gyeltshen, 15, from Drukgyel central school from Paro, said they have come up with a mousetrap device using motors and batteries.

“Though it might be simple, we feel that it could be of help,” Kuenleg Gyeltshen said.

Kuenzang Pelden, 17, from Sarpang Pelrithang middle secondary school and her group were making a robox (rotating box) vehicle. The vehicle could be used to move up and down stairs.

The results for the weeklong Golden Youth Award camp will be announced today, on its closing day. A student will be awarded the title of the ‘Golden Youth of the Year’. They have undergone a series of local and national competitions at the camp. They are judged in terms of their academic excellence, literary knowledge such as their general knowledge, IQ, essay writing and extempore, talents, games and sports, and social services, among others.

The camp is dedicated to the Birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey.

The event was initiated in 2005 to commemorate the 50th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

The first camp was organised by YDF in 2008.

Thinley Zangmo