Mysuru: A three-day State-level 25th National Children’s Science Congress began in city this morning. While the inaugural event was held at Senate Bhavan, the exhibition section was held at Vignana Bhavan on the campus of Karnataka State Open University.

The mega event, with the theme ‘Science, Technology and Innovation For Sustainable Development,’ is being organised jointly by the District Administration, National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), New Delhi, Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat (KRVP), KSOU, University of Mysore, Department of Public Instructions and Department of Pre-University Education.

The Science Meet was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, young scientist Pavan and Chairman of Karnataka Vijnana Parishat S.V. Sankanur, who is also an MLC, by watering a sapling. As the event began, the students of Taralabalu Vidya Samsthe sang a science song.

In his address, Sankanur said that students must develop a scientific spirit. He said that it is unfortunate that Science had been relegated to the background when it comes to academics and profession.

“Basic science needs its deserved place in the academics and sadly, these days, most of the students prefer Arts and Commerce to Science.

Registrations for the event began at 8 am today and students were divided into four wings – Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi and Kalaburagi. More than 1,500 students have come from all over the State and they are presenting various science models at Science Stalls set up at Vignana Bhavan.

Stalls include various wings of science including biology, botany, zoology, medicine, iron and metal science, agro science, physics, astronomy, galaxies, rocket launchers, disaster management, earth sciences, marine geology and others. Photographs of world-renowned scientists have been displayed at the stalls.

Children have geared up for intense competition among various teams on projects and innovation. The best 30 teams will be selected for the National-level Conference to be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from  Dec. 27 to 30.