QUANTA (competition)

QUANTA is an international competition for science, mathematics, astronomy and computer science. The competition was organized in 1994 as a national event in India. The initial success and popularity of the competition induced QUANTA to be organized as an international competition beginning in 1995. QUANTA is the only international competition for science for school children in India. It is organised by CMS Lucknow. Certificates of participation are awarded to each participant. Winners receive separate certificates and trophies. All of these certificates have international accreditation. The first, second and third positions in each event contribute five, three and two points respectively, to the total tally. The championship trophy is awarded to the team with the maximum points. The second and third-place teams are awarded the two runners-up trophies. Special prizes are also awarded for "best team turnout", "most creative participant" and "the loony fringe".

The events and rules are as follows:

Acta Mathematica

• Each team will be represented by two participants.
• All teams will write a preliminary qualifying written round to be conducted before the quiz. Marks of this round will not be added to the final tally. Teams which qualify will participate in the final round.
• The final quiz will consist of oral questions and visual displays. Correct answers will fetch marks for the team. No marks will be deducted for incorrect answers or no responses. The questions will not be passed to the next team. At the end of each round, the marks and positions will be announced. Teams will be eliminated after the oral and visual rounds.
• The buzzer round will be the last round. Here, each question will be open to every team that qualifies. The team that presses the buzzer first will have the privilege to answer the question. A correct answer will fetch marks; marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer.

Astronomy

• Each team will be represented by two participants.
• All teams will write a preliminary qualifying written round to be conducted before the quiz. Marks of this round will not be added to the final tally. Teams which qualify will participate in the final round.
• The final quiz will consist of oral questions and visual displays. Correct answers will fetch marks for the team. No marks will be deducted for incorrect answers or no responses. The questions will not be passed to the next team. At the end of each round, the marks and positions will be announced. Teams will be eliminated after the oral and visual rounds.
• The buzzer round will be the last round. Here, each question will be open to every team that qualifies. The team that presses the buzzer first will have the privilege to answer the question. A correct answer will fetch marks; marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer.

[Note: This event is no longer held.]

Collage

• Each team will be represented by one participant. The participant will be expected to present a creative and attractive collage to bring out the theme of the topic.
• All material required for the collage must be brought by the participant. It is advisable for participants to bring implements, artistic tools and other accessories suitable to the theme of the topic.
• White card-sheet (4x3 feet) and soft-board will be provided. Cutting and pasting will be done on the floor. The participant will not be allowed any assistance from team mates.
• The collage will be judged on the basis of creatively, artistic beauty, neatness and interpretation of the topic.
• Topic: The topic will be announced on the spot. It will be related to transportation.
• Time limit: three hours.

[Note: This event is no longer held.]

Software solutions

• Each team will be represented by two participants. The competition will consist of programming solutions to five problems. All the problems will be designed to test the problem solving ability of the participants. The programming languages will be C and C++ and Java.
• Each team will be provided an IBM compatible Pentium computer, running Microsoft Windows. Compilers will include associated development environments. It will also be possible to work with simple editors and the command line.
• Teams will not be allowed to bring in and refer to any printed reference material, including software listings.
• The input and output operations will be kept simple, allowing participants to concentrate on the problem solving aspects. Input will be character-based from standard input files. Output will be to the screen, using standard characters.
• All correct solutions will be expected to handle test data correctly.
• Judging will be from the command line and not from any integrated program environment.
• Time limit: 4 hours.

[Note: This event is no longer held.]

Debate

• Each team will be represented by one speaker who will present arguments either for or against the proposition. The total time to present arguments will be three minutes. A warning buzzer will be sounded after two and a half minutes.
• A lively refutation, for approximately two minutes will follow each speech, with interjection from among the participants. This will be moderated by the chairperson.
• Marks will be awarded on the basis of content, argument, diction and delivery.
• Awards will be given to the best three speakers for the motion and the best three speakers against the motion.
• Note: Due to the large number of participating teams, there will be one participant per team speaking either for or against the motion, selected by random computer allocation.

Mental ability

• Each team will be represented by one participant.
• Each participant will write a preliminary qualifying written round conducted before the * final mental ability test. Marks of this round will not be added to the final tally. Those participants who qualify will participate in the final mental ability test.
• The final mental ability test will consist of visuals, oral questions and real-time response tasks. Correct answers will fetch marks the team. No marks will be deducted for incorrect answers or no responses. The questions will not be passed to the next team. At the end of each round, the marks and positions will be announced. Teams will be eliminated at each stage in the final mental ability test.
• The buzzer round will be the last round. Here, each question will be open to every participant. The participant that presses the buzzer first will have the privilege to answer the question. A correct answer will fetch marks; marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer.

Model display

• Each team will be represented by two participants. They will be expected to demonstrate, explain and describe the functioning of the model they display.
• The model should be constructed in advance and brought in working condition to the venue.
• Participants are free to use their technical skills and inventiveness to build models which have relevance and utility in today's world.
• Simple technology, a teaching aid or a device of utility may be some suggestions for this event.
• The inventiveness of participants is not constrained in any way.

NOTE: AC supply (220 V or 110 V) will be provided. [Note: This event is no longer held.]

Science quiz

• Each team will be represented by two participants. The questions will be selected from physics, chemistry and biology.
• All teams will write a preliminary qualifying written round conducted before the quiz. Marks of this round will not be added to the final tally. Those teams which qualify will participate in the final round.
• The final quiz will consist of oral questions and visual displays. Correct answers will fetch marks for the team. No marks will be deducted for incorrect answers or no responses.
• The questions will not be passed to the next team. At the end of each round, the marks and positions will be announced. Teams will be eliminated after the oral and visual rounds.
• The buzzer round will be the last round. Here, each question will be open to every team that qualifies. The team that presses the buzzer first will have the privilege to answer the question. A correct answer will fetch marks; marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer.

See also

• Quizzing in India

External links

• QUANTA official website