A research based project

Researching to find solutions for problems in society

-Dvig Butkar (Std. IX A)

St. Joseph's High School,
Wadala
11th December 2013

Our team (Vismit Chavan, Atharva Chaturvedi, Mubarak Khalife, Dvig Butkar) worked on a project for the inter-school annual Science Exhibition that had two important aspects in consideration: (1) Mosquito menace and (2) Slums. The diseases spread by mosquitoes are well known - malaria and the dangerous dengue - which at times can be fatal.

We conducted a small research to find the conditions suitable for the laying of eggs by the mosquitoes.  We took white, red and green colored containers and on observation, noticed that the the mosquitoes avoided the green and were most attracted to red, and less to white. Bubbling air through the container to increase the oxygen content, we observed that no eggs were laid.

We arrived at the conclusion that well lit,  effectively ventilated and green colored areas were avoided by the mosquitoes (More research however has to be done on this).

In the slums, the houses are very close to each other, thus increasing the heat in the atmosphere and surroundings. We came upon the idea to cover the roof with a mat (which is easily available) with seeds sown in them.  This has two advantages: (1) The room is kept cool. (2) The plants grown could be sold thus increasing the meager income of the people.  Besides, being a green top, probably the mosquitoes will not be attracted to the place!