Mangaluru: In a view to foster scientific temper and rational thinking among the young, Centre for Integrated Learning in association with Lions Club of Mangalore organised CIL Science Fest 2018 at Lions Seva Mandir in the city on Wednesday. The event which marked the observance of National Science Day featured various lecture demonstration sessions, screening of scientific documentaries and competitive events through the day long deliberations.

Inaugurating the event, Director of Aloysius Institute of Management and Technology, Fr. Denzil Lobo exhorted the high school students to develop reproductive thinking rather than be studious academically. In view of facing the impending challenges ahead with regard to use of technology, he opined that creativity and innovation was key to development. He added that there was an ardent need to restructure the present education system so as to make it more thinking oriented than the system that is followed presently.

Delivering the keynote address, rationalist and free thinker Narendra Nayak demonstrated the various dubious means used by God men and spiritual healers to dupe the commoners. He urged the students to question every ritual and practice so as to understand the science behind the happenings rather than go by the words of elders and fall prey for superstitious beliefs.

Science Teacher and presently Educational Coordinator at the BEO Office, Mangalore North, Usman Guthigar was felicitated on the occasion as “Inspiring Science Teacher”.

The inaugural session was attended by District Governor of Lions District H R Harish, President of Lions Club Mangalore , Venkatesh Baliga, Executive Director of Centre for Integrated Learning Sachitha Nandagopal and Lioness Club President Nancy Masceren has among others.

The competitive events for the high school students during the day included Science Quiz, Model Building, Poster Making and Elocution.