The Department of Botany at St. Mary’s College (Autonomous), Thoothukudi, recently concluded the prestigious Prof. Dr. Sarojini Menon Endowment Botanica-Quest’26. This academic initiative was specifically designed for students from Classes VI to VIII, aiming to bridge the gap between textbook learning and practical botanical knowledge.

The event witnessed an impressive turnout, with twenty-five teams representing 15 prominent schools from across the Thoothukudi district. To ensure inclusivity and linguistic accessibility, the competition was conducted in both English and Tamil, allowing students to express their scientific understanding in their preferred medium. The interactive rounds were meticulously designed to challenge the participants' grasp of plant physiology, global biodiversity, and general botany.

Competition Results: English Category

In the English category, the competition was fierce. R.K. Rithikaa Shri and R. Saradha Gayathri from Subbiah Vidyalayam Girls Higher Secondary School claimed the first prize. They were followed by K. Prathik and V. Harish of Xan Matriculation Higher Secondary School in second place, and S. Dhasani Prajitha and G. Pavithra of Kanchi Sri Sankara Academy Matriculation Higher Secondary School in third place.

Competition Results: Tamil Category

The Tamil category saw equal enthusiasm. S. Selvamurugan and M. Parvatharaja of Karapettai Nadar Higher Secondary School secured the top spot. The second prize went to M. Varsha and I. Harshini of Subbiah Vidyalayam Girls’ Higher Secondary School, while T. Sanjana Sri and T. Muthu Sainthavi of Government High School, Pottalkadu, took home the third prize.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such endowment-based competitions are critical for sustaining grassroots interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). By engaging students as young as Class VI, institutions like St. Mary's College are cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are equipped to tackle future ecological crises through scientific literacy.

"Integrating competitive quizzes into botanical education transforms passive learning into an active quest for discovery, which is essential for young minds."

The event was executed under the strategic guidance of Principal Rev. Sr. Dr. C. Shibana and was coordinated by Rev. Sr. Dr. A. Arockia Jenecius Alphonse, Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Botany, with significant logistical support from the college's M.Sc. students.

Winner Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who was the target audience for Botanica-Quest’26?
The competition was specifically organized for students studying in Classes VI to VIII from schools across the Thoothukudi district.

Q2: What were the core subjects tested during the event?
The interactive rounds focused on plant science, biodiversity, and general botanical knowledge.