NE EDUCATION BUREAU
CHENNAI, AUG 31
A textbook can teach a scientific fact; a good question can teach a child to discover why it is true. That spirit of questioning took centre stage as 759 school students stepped beyond rote learning to test their scientific curiosity, reasoning and problem-solving skills at the third edition of the Murugappa Science Quiz.
Organised by the Murugappa Science Centre, an initiative of the A.M.M. Foundation, the flagship annual quiz brought together students from 253 schools across Sivaganga and Pudukkottai districts on August 19 and 20.
- More than 750 students from 253 schools test their scientific reasoning at the third Murugappa Science Quiz
- Class 6–8 students from Sivaganga and Pudukkottai turn concepts into problem-solving skills in the application-based competition
- Iruthaya Christy K of St Joseph Middle School, Devakottai, and GGHSS Keeramangalam teams emerge district champions
- AMM Foundation initiative expands its reach as participation rises from 300 schools in 2024 to 444 in 2025 and 253 schools in the latest edition
The competition, aimed at students of Classes 6, 7 and 8, sought to make science engaging while encouraging young learners to question, analyse, explore and learn beyond the boundaries of their textbooks.
The emphasis was not simply on remembering scientific facts.
Instead, questions focused on the application of scientific concepts, requiring students to think analytically, connect ideas and arrive at solutions.
Curiosity, not memorisation, takes the lead
The Sivaganga district final was held on August 19, with Subramaniam Venkatachalam, Head–Aerospace and Defence, Carborundum Universal Ltd, as Chief Guest.
Speaking about the initiative, he said:
“The Murugappa Science Quiz is about sparking curiosity, not just testing knowledge. It is encouraging to see young minds question, think and explore. The A.M.M. Foundation is doing important work in creating these opportunities.”
The Pudukottai district final followed on August 20, with K. Shanmugam, Chief Educational Officer, Pudukottai, and T. Raju, District Education Officer, Pudukottai, attending the event.
The competition was conducted in two stages. Students first faced a written preliminary round, following which the top six teams from each district advanced to the on-stage grand finale.
The quiz was designed and conducted by the X Quiz IT team, Chennai.
Sivaganga’s young science champion
In the Sivaganga district final, Iruthaya Christy K of Std 7, St. Joseph Middle School, Devakottai, emerged the individual winner, securing the first prize of ₹18,000.
The second prize of ₹12,000 went to Ashwindh A, Sukreev K and Yadhish V of PUMS, Veppangulam, while Dhanya T, Dharshika M and Thulasi P of GGHSS, Kallal, secured the third prize of ₹6,000.
Pudukkottai puts its brightest minds on stage
The Pudukkottai final saw Atchaya Sri A, Hasini L and Prakanya M of GGHSS, Keeramangalam, emerge winners in the Class 8 category and take home the ₹18,000 first prize.
Rakshan, James Aafreen A and Valliammai B of CMS, Santhaipettai, finished second and received ₹12,000.
The ₹6,000 third prize went to Abarna P, Dino Elgin V R and Berin Herschel of MHS, Rajagopalapuram.
Spot prizes and audience prizes added another layer of excitement to the district finals.
A quiz that is growing with every question
The Murugappa Science Quiz is also showing a steady expansion in its reach.
The first edition in 2024 attracted 300 schools, while the second edition in 2025 saw participation from 444 schools. The latest edition brought together 253 schools across the two districts.
During the first two editions, the quiz was conducted over two days in each district with separate junior and senior categories.
The growing participation reflects the continuing appetite among schools and students for learning platforms that move beyond conventional classroom assessment.
Science begins with a question
The real achievement of the Murugappa Science Quiz may therefore lie beyond the prize money.
For a student, being asked to solve a problem rather than reproduce an answer can change the way science is perceived—from a collection of formulas and facts into a way of understanding the world.
That is precisely the habit the organisers seek to nurture: curiosity that leads to questioning, questioning that leads to exploration, and exploration that leads to understanding.
The Murugappa Science Centre thanked participating schools, teachers, students, quiz masters, volunteers and guests for contributing to the event.
As the young winners move forward, the most valuable prize may not be the ₹18,000 cheque or the trophy.
It may be the confidence to ask the next question.
Because every scientific breakthrough begins with one.
