Technology Tournament has been ongoing in RI District 1040 for over a decade. Technology Tournaments are a challenging and enjoyable way for young people to enrich their STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Technology Tournament was imported to Nepali schools by the visiting Rotarians in 2014 lead by IT Guru Andrew Morrison. The first tournament was held at Shree Tri Shahid High school, Panchamul.
Of the 6 high schools and one Lower secondary school, all had to fill in 3 teams of four students each with age brackets: 9 – 11, 12 – 14 and 15/16. They had to solve an interactive technology-based task and are required to design, develop, and build a solution with the materials supplied to them.
The competitors are briefed and allowed to discuss with the team members and ask questions to the judges and stewards if any. The teams are then given 4 hours to complete their task. Once Tournaments culminate in the testing session when teams demonstrate their best solution to the task and can observe the efforts of other competing teams.
The stewards are on hand to guide the pupils throughout and offer a helping hand where necessary to ensure everyone gets the most from the experience. The tournament in Panchamul was judged by Andy and Jayne.
The second Technical Tournament was held at Waling in May 2018 with the following schools competing:
- SHREE HIMALAI SECONDARY SCHOOL
- SHREE RANABIR JANAHIT SECONDARY SCHOOL
- SHREE BASPANI LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL
- SHREE BAL SHIKSHYA SECONDARY SCHOOL
- TALLO KUMERDUN LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL
- SHREE BHUMRE SECONDARY SCHOOL
- PURNAMRIT BHAWANI SECONDARY SCHOOL
- SHREE TAPU BHANJYANG SECONDARY SCHOOL
Each school with three teams of 4 in each team competed in the Technical Tournament. The competition in Waling was coordinated by Rtn Siri Prasad Gurung with Andy Morrison as the chief judge.
As STEM subjects continue to be a key part of the school curriculum, Technology Tournaments support not only academic learning, but teach skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and time management.
The Rotary Club of The Himalayan Gurkhas is always on the lookout for new innovative ideas to impart knowledge to our future generations. The students from participating schools have all enjoyed the exposure to the new challenges.
