Another Guinness record has been made by Indian students when 2000 students from the Delhi-NCR schools participated in a science experiment lesson held at II-Delhi on December 7. In the 65-minute long experiment, professors taught how to decolourise methylene blue and decompose hydrogen peroxide.
What makes this feat more memorable is that it is for the first time that any Indian scientific body has made it into Guinness book of world records. In addition, the Indian students improved the previous record for the most number of students attending a single science session by nearly 50 percent. Eight teachers were present to guide 2,000 students from forty schools ranging between class nine to 12.
Previously, the record was held by students from Ireland where 1,339 students together attended a single science lecture in which they chemistry experiment that focused on catalysts.
Indian record was made during five science festival — India International Science Festival (IISF) organised by VIBHA at IIT-D. VIBHA organises science meet at several venues. However, it is the first time that VIBHA has organised any science meet in any IIT (Indian Institute of Technology). The record was made on the fifth and the final day. Before that, teachers conducted three mock tests to train the students and get them familiar with the experiment.
“We will call upon all students interested in scientific innovations. These students can discuss their ideas on the portal. VIBHA will identify PhD scholars who will mentor these young students,” explained Jayakumar, Secretary General of VIBHA.
Science and Technology minister Dr. Harshavardhan praised the feat and said that the basic motive behind organising such fests in premium institutions like IITs was to motivate students and boost their confidence which ultimately proved to be constructive.
More such experiments and science meet will be conducted in future to shape the innovative minds of tomorrow. IIT Director encouraged the event and said that gates of premium institutes are always open for such meets that encourage science, research and development.