Exploring Innovation, Igniting Curiosity
The corridors of St. Mary’s School buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the occasional “Eureka” moment as the Science Open House 2025 opened its doors. Students from across grades poured their creativity, curiosity, and courage into one of the most awaited events of the year — a space where experiments came alive, questions led to discoveries, and science met imagination. From light-bending mirrors to eco-friendly bricks and real goat brains (yep, you read that right), this wasn’t just any science event — it was the event.
Setting the Tone: Lectures That Sparked Scientific Inquiry
The day began with an air of anticipation as Dr. Shibu Saha from CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL) took the stage. A Senior Scientist and Assistant Professor at AcSIR, Dr. Saha specializes in Optical Radiation Metrology, but it wasn’t just the science that caught everyone’s attention — it was his message. “Learn to learn science,” he said, urging students to embrace failure, precision, and perseverance. His lecture introduced the audience to the world of metrology — the science of measurement — and showed how even the tiniest units hold massive importance in the world of discovery.
Next, the audience was captivated by Dr. S. V. Eswaran, former Head of Chemistry at St. Stephen’s College, and a distinguished researcher currently associated with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, who took everyone on a journey through decades of research and invention. From his work on cataract research and Visamine to the futuristic Alpha 24 software for cancer detection, his words reminded students that science isn’t just about answers — it’s about asking the right questions. His story about the ATLAS comet and its link to the Fibonacci series left the crowd absolutely awed.
Deep Dive into the Lectures
In his detailed presentation, Dr. Saha expanded on the significance of measurement science, explaining how metrology forms the backbone of technological advancement. He discussed photometric measurements, which rely on human visual perception, and connected them to real-world systems such as IRNSS, India’s regional navigation network. His examples revealed how the smallest units of measurement influence major innovations, reinforcing the idea that scientific precision shapes progress at every scale.
Dr. Eswaran further enhanced the session with knowledge shaped by his extensive research experience. He elaborated on his groundbreaking work to delay and reverse cataracts through molecules like Visamine and lenosterol-related studies, and introduced students to the future of biomedical research through tools such as Alpha 24, a software aiding protein detection in cancer research. His engaging narrative on the ATLAS comet, its unusual tail orientation, and its mysterious emissions—including wavelengths echoing the Fibonacci sequence—left students intrigued by the unexpected intersections between astronomy, chemistry, and mathematics. His talk ultimately highlighted the boundless potential of curiosity-driven research.
Physics
In a corner dimly lit with focused beams of light, Shaunak and Misbah brought optics to life. Their Dark Room Project demonstrated principles of reflection, refraction, and image formation in the most interactive way possible. Students lined up, experimenting with mirrors and lenses to understand how light behaves — and walked out amazed at how “simple physics” can literally shape what we see.
No more dried-out markers! Anabh and Siddharth’s Automatic Ink Refilling Machine blended mechanical genius with sustainability. Designed to refill whiteboard markers automatically, it saves both ink and time — something every teacher would thank them for. It was a perfect example of automation meeting practicality, proving that sometimes, science’s greatest contributions lie in solving everyday problems.
Aaditya reimagined the way roads breathe — yes, breathe! His Eco Drain Road uses pervious concrete to let rainwater seep through, reducing flooding and helping groundwater recharge. Inspired by the German Stadtschwamm concept, his model balanced strength with sustainability.
👉 Read our exclusive deep dive on the Eco Drain project [here]
Chemistry
Annutar and Vanshika proved that chemistry isn’t just about explosions — it’s about transformation. Their project, Green Gold, showcased how waste materials can be converted into something valuable and sustainable. With chemical precision and eco-friendly intent, their experiment reflected the beauty of circular science — turning trash into treasure!
Ever thought stubble could replace cement? Ishti and Sanskriti did! Their project on Extracting Geopolymer from Agricultural Waste introduced an innovative way to reduce pollution caused by stubble burning while also replacing cement, which is one of the major contributors to global warming. Their process — from cleaning stubble to curing geopolymer blocks — proved that even leftovers from farms can build the future.
In a world that constantly demands cleaner water, this trio delivered a masterpiece — Graphene-based filtration that could revolutionize water purification. Their model demonstrated how the atom-thin wonder material can separate impurities efficiently while staying sustainable.
👉 Check out the exclusive feature on Graphene Filtration [here]
Biology
Santhwana’s work took everyone into the fascinating world of regeneration. Her study on brain cell regeneration and sex-based behavioral differences in zebrafish opened new perspectives on neuroscience and recovery. The way she explained cell growth and healing — while surrounded by curious students — felt like watching future medicine unfold.
From kitchen waste to chemical innovation — Vineela and Disha turned vegetable peels into cold-pressed oils with real economic and nutritional value. Their project proved that sustainability isn’t just about reuse, it’s about smart science that benefits both the environment and the economy.
A natural solution to a global problem — the Biofilter project demonstrated how microorganisms can purify water without chemicals. Using plant roots and bacterial cultures, the trio showcased how nature itself can act as a filtration system. It was both simple and brilliant — a model that truly embodied “biology in action.”
👉 Discover the full story behind the Biofilter project [here]
As Day 1 came to a close, the labs may have cooled down, but the curiosity stayed aflame. From physics marvels to chemical innovations and biological breakthroughs, the Science Open House 2025 was a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and creativity.
Between serious experiments and contagious laughter, one thing stood clear — the love for science united everyone. Seniors were helping juniors tweak their models, random ideas turned into on-the-spot inventions, and a curious crowd gathered around to see an actual goat brain and intestine.
The day ended with tired feet, messy lab coats, and huge smiles. And with another exciting day ahead, one thing’s for sure — at St. Mary's science isn’t just studied, it’s lived.
Written by Ananya Jena, Nayab Tehrir, Tooba Ayub