'Sci-Tech Party' marks nat'l technology day

Erwida Maulia , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 08/10/2008 10:28 AM | Headlines

Eighth grader Fauzan Arif Kinantoko says he was thrilled and amazed to find software which could help him create comics.

"Cool! I just discovered this software is available, and it seems to be easy to use," he said Saturday.

Arif's friend, Andian, said he could see how to use the software, Comic Life, as soon as he saw a demonstration.

"We took part in a comic making competition, and the winners will be announced this afternoon ... That's why we're still here," said Andian, who was wandering around the 2008 Pesta Iptek (Science and Technology Party) venue for around six hours.

The two-day event which opened Saturday is being hosted by the State Ministry for Research and Technology at its main office on Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Fauzan and Andian were among some 50 students from SMP 49 junior high school in East Jakarta, who visited the event on its opening day.

Other visitors included students (in and out of uniform) and teachers from many other schools, children and parents.

The event, themed "Creativity and Innovation among Children and Teenagers", is aiming at boosting children's interest in science and technology.

Many activities featured at the event highlight contemporary issues such as global warming and alternative energy resources.

Kindergarten and elementary school students can take part in drawing and coloring competitions and the "Play with Science" program.

Secondary school students can participate in a mind mapping workshop and games, a photography workshop, and a comics making workshop and contest.

The event offers free urine tests for the early detection of kidney disease, which has attracted many adult visitors.

The Science and Technology Party is one of a series of events held in recognition of this year's 23rd National Technology Awakening Day, which falls on Aug. 10.

The commemoration also marks the launch of Indonesia's first ever locally made passenger aircraft, the prototype twin turboprop Gatotkaca N-250, in 1995.

The N-250 was designed and developed by the then Nurtanio Aircraft Industry (now called PT Dirgantara Indonesia) in cooperation with Spain's Construcciones Aviacion SA.