Science & Mathematics Exhibition
The Science and Mathematics Exhibition (SME) is one of the major academic activities organised by the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, every year with the objective of promoting scientific temperament, innovation, creativity, and problem-solving among school students. Through the exhibition, students are encouraged to transform scientific and mathematical ideas into exhibits, working models, static models, and prototypes that demonstrate practical applications of concepts studied in the classroom.
The exhibition provides students with an opportunity to move beyond textbook learning and explore how science, mathematics and technology can be applied to real-life problems. It encourages young learners to observe their surroundings, identify challenges, think independently, develop solutions and present their ideas before teachers, experts and fellow students.
Developing Exhibits and Models
Students are expected to develop an exhibit, working model, static model or prototype based on scientific or mathematical principles related to the given theme and sub-themes.
The exhibition places particular emphasis on projects that demonstrate innovation, originality or meaningful improvement of existing knowledge, technology or craftsmanship, especially where such ideas may contribute to the welfare of a larger section of society. This approach encourages students to think about how existing ideas can be improved, adapted or applied in new ways.
Participants are also required to prepare a write-up describing their exhibit or model and submit it at the time of participation in the Science and Mathematics Exhibition. Students are expected to understand the prescribed evaluation criteria and develop their projects accordingly (The evaluation criteria of the entries are given below on this page).
A Platform for Scientific Communication
An exhibit becomes more meaningful when the student is able to explain the idea behind it. The Science and Mathematics Exhibition therefore also provides students with an opportunity to develop their ability to communicate scientific and mathematical concepts clearly.
In the exhibition, students are required to explain:
- the problem or idea addressed by the project,
- the scientific or mathematical principle involved,
- how the model works,
- its possible applications, and
- the significance of the proposed idea.
Promoting Scientific Temperament
The Science and Mathematics Exhibition forms part of the broader effort of the Directorate of Education to encourage maximum participation of students in science-based activities and to identify promising ideas at progressively higher levels. The circular specifically calls upon Heads of Schools to ensure maximum participation at the School Level so that the best entries may be selected for the Zonal Level.
Through participation in the exhibition, students learn to observe, investigate, design, experiment, improve and communicate. These experiences contribute to the development of scientific temperament and encourage students to approach problems with curiosity, evidence and logical reasoning.
Theme of the Exhibition for the Academic Session 2025–26 is: “STEM for Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat”
Categories and Sub-Themes for the session 2025-26: The exhibition is organised in three categories, each covering specific areas of science and mathematics.
- Sub-theme for Science Exhibition under the First Category (Category Code- C1):
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Green Energy
- Health and Hygiene
- Sub-theme for Science Exhibition under the Second Category (Category Code- C2):
- Waste Management and Alternatives to Plastics
- Water Conservation and Management
- Emerging Technologies
- Sub-theme for Mathematics Exhibition under the third Category (Category Code- C3): “Recreational Mathematical Modelling”.
Participation at the School Level
All the Students of class 6th to 12th from Government, Government Aided, and Private Unaided recognised schools under the Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi are eligible to participate in the exhibition. Heads of Schools are required to conduct the exhibition at the School Level under all three categories—C1, C2 and C3. The exhibits and models are evaluated by a panel consisting of Sr. Science Teachers headed by the Principal/Head of School.
After evaluation, the school selects one best exhibit/model in each category for registration and further participation at the Zonal Level Science and Mathematics Exhibition. Each selected exhibit or model may have a maximum of two students and one guide teacher.
Schools willing to participate in the Zonal Level Science and Mathematics Exhibition for the session 2025-26 can register themselves with the details of the selected students and models through the link given below:
Progression from School to State Level
The Science and Mathematics Exhibition follows a structured progression through four levels:
School Level → Zonal Level → Science Centre Level → State Level→ National Level
At the Zonal Level, registered schools participate under the jurisdiction of their respective Zonal Conveners. A school may send one entry from each category, with a maximum of three entries, provided each entry belongs to a different category. The entries securing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions under each sub-theme and category are forwarded to the respective Science Centres.
At the Science Centre Level, selected zonal entries are evaluated again, and the entries securing the first three positions under each sub-theme and category are forwarded to the Science Branch for participation at the State Level.
The State Level Science and Mathematics Exhibition is then organised for the entries selected by the Science Centres. In the Science and Mathematics Exhibition, A seminar on the topic “Reducing Plastic Pollution” will be organized one day before the organization of the SME or during the days of exhibition in morning/evening hours. There will be expert/scientists for the seminar preferably from a research institute/laboratory/university/SCERT/SIE. In the state level, three best entries from each sub-theme of every category will be selected for the participation at National Level.
Criteria for Evaluation of Participating Entries by the Judges in the Science and Mathematics Exhibition: 2025-26
Sr. No. | Criteria | Weightage in % |
1 | Involvement of Children’s Own Creativity and Imagination | 20 |
2 | Originality/Innovation in the Exhibit/Model | 15 |
3 | Scientific/Mathematical Approach in terms of Thought and Principle | 15 |
4 | Technical Skills/Workmanship/Craftsmanship | 15 |
5 | Utility for Society/Scalability | 15 |
6 | Economic (low cost)/Portability/Durability | 10 |
7 | Presentation | 10 |
Total | 100 | |