Notre Dame Eco and Space Club hosted the 7th National Earth and Space Summit (NESS) on the premises of Notre Dame College from May 16 to May 18, 2024. This festival aimed to ignite young minds in astronomy and ecology from across the country.
The festival gathered around 2500 participants and total 6,000 visitors from over 50 institutes nationwide in three days. Students of all ages participated in their respective segments of Primary, Junior, Secondary, and Higher Secondary categories.
The festival's success was made possible by JR Recycling, a licensed e-waste management company that served as the title sponsor. Additionally, the event was powered by the Bata Children's Programme.
The summit featured a variety of engaging events focusing on ecology, earth science, and astronomy, including quizzes, debates, and olympiads. The overwhelming participation in these events highlighted the enthusiasm of young minds eager to explore the wonders of science.
The Olympiads were a major focus for problem solvers, particularly with challenging questions from the Astronomy Olympiad and the Earth Science Olympiad. These questions were provided by the academic partners Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (BDOAA) and the National Earth Olympiad (NEO), respectively. Waasi, the runner-up of the Astronomy Olympiad, shared his excitement: "Competing in the Olympiad was an incredible experience. It challenged me to think critically and solve problems that don't typically appear in our school exams."
The summit welcomed esteemed guests from the Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (BDOAA) Alumni, including past medalists who shared their experiences and insights. Notably, Adnan Bin Alamgir, a Silver Medalist of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), delivered an inspiring Astro Talk, captivating the audience with his journey and passion for astronomy.
Fahim Rajit Hossain, the founder of BDOAA expressed his delight about the fest. "Astronomy is still elusive in Bangladesh, but groups like NDESC are making active efforts to change that. This festival is a testament to our common aim to cultivate a new generation of astronomers and astrophysicists who will make a name for Bangladesh. "
A highlight of the summit was the Stellar Scapes project display, where innovative ideas from young minds were showcased, bound by creativity and scientific insight. Additionally, the Wall Magazine segment provided a platform for students to present their research and artistic expressions on ecological and astronomical themes.
The Astral Hunt, a unique treasure hunt with astronomical clues, and the Astro & Eco Ideation event were standout segments, challenging participants to think creatively and critically. An organiser, Irfan Sarwar Pranjol, remarked, "Our goal was to inspire creativity and critical thinking. The participants exceeded our expectations with their enthusiasm and ingenuity. "
MICBS Scientific, the telescope partner, gifted a telescope for the summit and set up an engaging stall featuring various telescopes and exhibits. Additionally, Amateur Experimental Rocketry Dhaka (AERD) conducted a demonstration of their new Hybrid Rocket Engine on the college grounds, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in rocketry to the enthusiastic audience.
Moderator of the Notre Dame Eco and Space Club, Md Nazmul Hassan, reflected on the summit's success, "We are thrilled with the turnout and the level of engagement from the participants. This event truly embodies our commitment to fostering curiosity and exploration."
Dr Fr Hemanto Pius Rozario, principal of NDC, expressed his delight in hosting such an inspiring event, emphasising the importance of nurturing young minds in the fields of astronomy and ecology.
The significance of the 7th National Earth and Space Summit extends beyond academic enrichment; it fosters innovation and curiosity in the astronomy sector, driving young minds to explore and create. Such events are pivotal not only in advancing scientific knowledge but also in stimulating economic growth by encouraging future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), ultimately contributing to the nation's development in these critical fields.
As the 7th National Earth and Space Summit concluded, it left a lasting impact on participants, igniting a passion for astronomy and earth science that will inspire future endeavours.
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