Sustaining Momentum, Deepening Discovery
The second day of the Science Open House unfolded like a final surge of energy — a day packed with guest lectures, live demonstrations, and student-led exhibits. After an inspiring morning session, the labs and corridors sprang to life as visitors streamed in, moving from senior innovations to junior experiments, from interactive booths to models that invited endless questions and wide-eyed wonder. It was the grand finale where two days of discovery converged into one unforgettable celebration of science.
Where Physics Meets Biology: Opening Session with Dr. Sujin Babu
The second day opened with a lively and thought-provoking session led by Dr. Sujin Babu, a distinguished researcher from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) whose work beautifully blends Soft Matter Physics with Biophysics. After a warm welcome and a gesture of appreciation, students were introduced to his fascinating research on how colloidal particles come together and how microorganisms and artificial swimmers move—insights drawn from both analytical models and computational studies.
Dr. Babu then delivered his lecture on “Flow of Microbes in Blood,” a topic that pulled students straight into the intersection of physics and biology. With clear explanations and real-world connections, he revealed how microscopic life navigates complex fluid environments, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the day’s activities.
How Science Explains Life
Dr. Babu’s session opened a window into the fascinating world where physics and biology come together. He began by explaining how microorganisms move through their environment, using the Reynolds number to show why their world behaves so differently from ours. Simple demonstrations—like magnetic interactions and fluid motion—helped students picture how tiny organisms navigate forces we rarely notice.
He then explored the physics of fluids, showing how viscosity, density, and surface tension shape everything from the curve of a meniscus to the flow of oil and air. The audience especially enjoyed his segment on creatures “running on water,” featuring the Basilisk Lizard, and his explanation of the Magnus Effect, the principle behind Roberto Carlos’s famously curved free kick. Bringing theory into everyday life, he connected concepts such as Bernoulli’s Principle, pressure differences, and resistance to real phenomena—airplane flight, spray bottles, blood flow, and microbial movement.
The lecture wrapped up with how biophysics underpins essential processes like cellular motion and oxygen exchange, forming the basis of advances in medical technology and biomechanics. The session ended with warm thanks for his ability to make complex ideas feel clear, exciting, and surprisingly relatable.
Beyond the Exhibits: Activities That Engaged All
Science, the Fun Way
Beyond models and experiments, the Science Open House brought science to life through a range of fun, interactive activities. From hands-on booths to engaging demonstrations, students found creative ways to make learning enjoyable and accessible. These moments capture how science moved beyond theory and became something to experience, explore, and truly enjoy.
From the Floor: Student Impressions
The Science Open House didn’t just fill the corridors with exhibits—it filled students with a sense of ownership and excitement that was hard to miss. “I was nervous, but when visitors started asking questions, I felt like a real scientist,” shared a Class X participant, echoing the confidence so many students discovered in themselves over the two days.
For others, the guest lectures were the highlight. A Class IX student beamed while recalling, “Dr. Babu’s examples made complicated stuff feel magical. The Basilisk lizard moment was my favourite!” The blend of science and storytelling clearly struck a chord with many young minds.
Hands-on booths also became unexpected crowd-pullers. One XI-B volunteer said, “Running the face-paint booth on elements was so much fun — kids loved learning while getting glittered.” Together, these moments made the Open House feel less like an event and more like a shared journey of learning.
Reflections and the Road Ahead
As the excitement settled, students and teachers alike took a step back to reflect on what made the Science Open House truly memorable—and what could make it even better next year. While the students consistently spoke of the pride they felt in their teamwork and the thrill of explaining their projects to visitors, many also expressed a practical wish: a little more time on the clock so presenters could engage more meaningfully with visitors.
From a broader perspective, the event saw several clear successes. There was remarkable student ownership, thoughtful displays across age groups, and a strong synergy between the guest lectures and student exhibits. The hands-on booths, in particular, stood out for how naturally they encouraged inquiry and conversation.
Of course, no event of this scale is without its challenges. Peak-hour crowding made it difficult for some teams to present smoothly, and tight time slots left several groups rushing through carefully prepared explanations. Teachers also noted the need for greater interdisciplinary representation, especially from the Humanities and Commerce streams, to highlight the many ways science intersects with society, culture, and economics.
Another exciting idea is the creation of a Lab Notes Archive, where students can publish their protocols, data, and reflections for future batches—a growing record of the school’s scientific journey.
As the Science Open House 2025 drew to a close, it left behind more than just models, charts, and presentations—it left a renewed sense of curiosity and confidence among students. Over two days, classrooms transformed into spaces of dialogue, where ideas were exchanged, questions were encouraged, and learning extended beyond textbooks.
Ultimately, the true success of the Open House lay not just in what was displayed, but in what it sparked: a willingness to explore, to question, and to keep discovering—long after the event had ended.
Written by Ananya Jena, Tooba Ayub