Kohima: The Nagaland Board of School Education and Mission SOAR signed an agreement on Friday to start the Nagaland Science Olympiad. This new state-level exam pushes Class 9 students to use analytical thinking instead of memorizing textbooks. NBSE Chairperson Rangumbuing Nsarangbe and Shikha Institute Director Karishma Shanghvi signed the deal at the board office in Kohima.
The test lasts 150 minutes and is worth 100 marks. It covers five real-life problems featuring graphs, tables, or experiments. Students must interpret data and explain scientific phenomena without relying on rote answers. No separate syllabus exists, as all questions pull from concepts taught between Classes 6 and 8. The language will remain simple to ensure English proficiency does not block participation.
Shikha Institute sponsors the program and will help design questions and train evaluators. Karishma Shanghvi noted that the goal is to nurture young thinkers. She said, "Shikha Institute's sponsorship reflected its objective of nurturing young people who think like scientists rather than merely identifying students who perform well in science examinations."
All participants earn certificates. The top 100 students will take home a share of a Rs 1 lakh prize pool. Awards include Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit honors. The NBSE board intends to identify students with strong reasoning skills who may not top regular class rankings. Officials will share registration details and exam dates soon. Schools will host the testing, though nearby designated centers are also an option.
Comments