An impressive display of innovative thinking and concepts was on show at the Muhyiddin School STEM Fair 'Genius Gems' held on Saturday and Sunday.
The school, home to some 900 students, is the only one in Villimale' right now and caters to students from kindergarten to grade 10. The stem fair at the school featured projects from all classes from all grades including the kindergarten classes.
Individual students were also allowed to feature projects in the fair in which the school chose the top three projects from each grade in both categories.
The Genius Gems fair displayed an array of experiments on scientific theories and concepts as well as projects on the environment, health-related issues, and sustainable energy.
The most noticeable element of the fair was the enthusiasm and eagerness shown by the students who took part in the STEM fair. Students who presented their projects and models to those who visited their fairs were confident, knowledgeable of their work, and quick to answer any questions thrown at them.
Even the younger students were keen to display their work as the science and concepts used in their projects were catered to their young minds.
The individual projects too were presented with confidence and the demonstrations like the volcano eruptions were performed perfectly much to the amusement of those who visited the fair.
Rarely does a school feature projects from all its grades and this is a first for Muhiyddin School too. School Principal Nazim Ali Manik noted that the school has been trying to hold the fair for the last four years but other events and activities got in the way.
She also said that the school was determined to hold the fair this year and is delighted to have such enthusiastic student-involved in the STEM Fair. The Principal added that the school has now decided to hold this fair annually.
One of the most eye-catching projects featured in the fair is the AI-based 'Tharujamaanu' which used the technology to translate 'Dhivehi' sign language to Dhivehi letters (Thaana).
The proof of concept project uses a camera to capture the hand signs and then AI technology to translate it to Thaana text. The project from grade 10 has a lot of room for potential and the students behind it are eager to return to it once they complete their O'level exams.
Another project that garnered much attention was the hydraulic bridge project which featured a model bridge made from household items. The main purpose of the project was to understand the theory behind these massive but impressive structures and also to exhibit this theory in practice. Like this project, most featured in the fair were based on science theories and concepts the students were learning in school.
The 'Magic Drink' was a cool and fun project that also won a gold badge from its grade. Students of the project offered different flavours of the drink which changed color when all mixed up. They said that this was their take on creating a fun and exciting drink to maybe sell in Villimale which is usually very hot.
The 'Life Cycle of Monarch Butterfly' project from three students in grade three showed how they bred monarch butterflies in their homes as they learned more about one of the most species of butterflies in the Maldives.
The students got butterfly eggs from one of their native islands and looked after them during the many stages in the butterfly's life cycle. The fact that Villimale, which used to have many milkweed plants (host plant for monarch butterflies), now does not have many has driven the students to plant as much as they can to make Villimale a natural habitat for Monarch Butterflies.
