Following is my recent article on the importance of, mainly, Physics in Olympics and in general on any sports. It is originally taken from my blog post and was published in the Himal weekly (23rd Aug 2016 edition).
As always feel free to leave your comment or tweet @pythonomer .
In case the space fancy you here is my recent article on the topic published in the current edition of the HimalKhabar. This was also originally posted in my blog. Hope you enjoy.
If there is any special astronomy/physics related topic you want me to write in Nepali please suggest in the comment box below. I will try to get on to it asap. Typo correction: Utah is a state rather than a city of the US.
We are pleased to announce our Third National Astronomy Olympiad 2016 (NAO2016) Closed Camp during August 21-31, 2016! The closed camp will select the top five students as the winners of NAO2016!
Twenty-one students who managed to perform their best during our rigorous evaluation process such as selection exam, interviews and pre-closed camp will be a part of our closed camp session this year. Want to know those twenty-one students? Here you go:
Selected students represent eleven schools including seven schools in Kathmandu Valley, two schools in Chitwan and two schools in Kaski.
During the closed camp, students will get first hand experience on working with astrophysical theories, problems and their solution. They will also learn data analysis and night sky observation techniques.
This year, the practical sessions of the closed camp will be held at Everest Science Center Nepal (ESCN) located in near Biratnagar, Nepal. We beleive, it will help our students understand the current status of scienc and technology status and trend in the coutry. ESCN is the only science center in function at the moment which was established in 2001.
The National Astronomy Olympiad Program is a national educational program designed by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and ESPRO Foundation to encourage Nepalese students who pursue further studies in Physics, Maths, Astronomy & Space Science.
Want to know more about our olympiad program and it different stages that students will go through during our seletion process? Please feel free to visit: www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad
The Celebration Co-Ed from Jorpati, Kathamandu, Nepal successfully conducted the 8th National Water Rocket Competition 2016 on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Students from 25 schools in Kathmandu valley and Chitwan mainly from junior high school years and High school freshmen and sophomores had participated in the Competition. The event was organized by Nepal Nepal Scientific Activities and Research Centre (NESARC) and supported by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Science Teacher Association of Nepal (STAN) and Rajdevi Engineering Consultant.
Photo: Students during the launch of their water rocket atThe Celebration Co-Ed, Jorpati, Kathmandu
The students were highly eager to show their intellect and cognition through the rockets that they had built. Water rockets are based on the same laws that govern the motion of actual space rockets i.e. Newton’s Laws of Motion. So, the students had to build the most aero-dynamically balanced rocket. Hence, the competition was based on how precisely the rockets would follow the designated trajectory after being launched. The score allocation was similar to that of dart, with different heights of a nearby target hill marked with different scores with the Bull’s eye at the height of 80m. So, to get good scores, students had to target their rockets to this point on the hill.
Photo: Mr. Mahendra Bhattarai, Principal at The Celebration Co-Ed fixing the launcher during the competition
During the competition, Mr. Khagendra Rijal-Nepal Government official, Mr. Yubaraj Niroula, STAN Official and Mr. Sagar Dahal-The Celebration Co-Ed Official played crucial role of evaluation committee. During the competition 24 water rockets were disqualifed! Below is the list of top ten students with their ranks.
Gunaraj Adhikari, Kanti Bhairav School
Bal Krishna Gale, Samata Shiksha Niketan
Gunjan Raj Tiwari, Narayani Modern School
Pranisha Shrestha, Liverpool Higher Secondary School
Ishan Banjara, Manakamana School
Saroj Rijal, Bouddha Children Heaven School
Anurag Shrestha, Chhahaari Shiksha Sadan
Aarya Adhikari, Vidya Aarjan
Asmita Thapa, The Celebration Co-Ed
Swojal Sunuwar, Wits Academy
Qualified water rockets were evaluated based on how closed their rockets were from the Bull's Eye fixed at 80 meter distance from the lauch site.
Photo: Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, chairman at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) with volunteers/NASO Club members
The main theme of the competition was not merely to test the capability of the students to build the rockets, but to test the student’s zeal and diligency in the field of rocket science. Successful conduction of events like this, meant for the betterment of Science and Technology in the country by providing students with proper platform is a matter of great pride to us. Competitions like this can really help the students to rise and explore their interests. Moreover, it raises competitiveness in them and supports their growth into absolute individuals in this world brewing with competition in the field of science and technology. Finally, it is just another way of making students fall in love with science and technology making them extremely passionate towards using it for the betterment of mankind.
NASO supported the program with its resources and helped it for national exposure coordinating with its mainstream media in the country. We beleive to have increased number of participants/schools next year with our efforts this year!
Interested to support our water rocket events in Nepal in partnership with NESARC and STAN? Please free to write us at contact@nepalastronomicalsociety.org
We are pleased to announce the twenty-one students who will participate in the upcoming closed camp program of Third National Astronomy Olympiad Nepal 2016 (NAO2016).
Selected students screened through different stages during First Selection Round and Pre-Closed Camp. Selected students represent total of 11 different colleges from three different cities of Nepal: Chitwan, Kathmandu and Pokhara!
Our First Selection Round evaluates student's basic theoritical background as well as movition and Pre-closed camp evaluates their creativity as well as some practical skills like writing, presentation, etc.
During closed camp, they will learn different astophyisical concepts, problem solving techniques, team work as well as learn to navigate through the night sky using different astronomical tools. This round is the final round of our NAO2016 as we will be selecting top five students as the winners of NAO2016.
If you are looking for latest updates of our programs/activities, feel free to like our facebook page: www.fb.com/NepalAstronomicalSociety
