Intel, DST, CII to host IRIS from Dec 4

With a view to fight the deleterious effects of synthetic colours, food and fabric colour can be produced from the dry as well as fresh extract obtained from Ixora flowers petals. To counter the hazardous impact of paint chemicals on the biodiversity, a marker pen has been developed out of vegetables. The visually challenged can be provided gaming entertainment using a simple circuit, some wires, batteries and a buzzer.

These and similar other ideas are the result of Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS), a programme in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Intel and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The initiative is the merger of Intel’s 'Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair' and DST’s 'Steer the Big Idea'.

To be held on December 4-6 this year, IRIS promotes and nurtures science and scientific research amongst the young Indian innovators in secondary and higher secondary schools. " Instead of creating thermocol models encouraged by the education system, IRIS aims at developing a scientific temper among the students by making them think innovatively and come up with out-of-the-box ideas themselves," says Rahul Bedi, director, corporate affairs, Intel, South Asia.

The event, to be held in Kolkata has registered 100 projects from 150 students from across the country. While some of the ideas coming out of the event are directly taken up by CII, others apply for patent to be commercialised later. IRIS had been initiated in April 2006 and invites project synopses from participants in four categories from age 06–35 years.