Bridges to dreams: Kaushalya Bulumulla's unforgettable science adventure

Kaushalya Bulumulla, a passionate advocate for the limitless potential of science from Sri Lanka, traced her journey back to her childhood fascination with the subject. From a young age, she found joy in the exploration of scientific concepts. It was in Grade 12 that she received a pivotal opportunity from her physics teacher. This opportunity propelled her into a research project aimed at reducing the daily electricity consumption of a refrigerator. Little did she know that this initial endeavor would shape her path and bring her to where she stands today.

Kaushalya firmly believes in the equality of learning capabilities between girls and boys, emphasizing that hard work can pave the way for anyone to achieve excellence. Expressing gratitude towards her parents for guiding her on the right path, she acknowledged the unfortunate reality in some families where opportunities were denied to girls just because of their gender. Everyone should have the opportunity to strive for their dreams, she thinks, as success requires dedicated effort.

The turning point in Kaushalya's scientific journey came when she was recognized as one of the best high school researchers in Sri Lanka for her work on electricity consumption reduction. This achievement led her to the Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp. With great interest in urban development in Colombo, Kaushalya chose the creative bridge project. She said, "I think one day I can help with this if I get the knowledge from that topic." She aspired to enhance safety, facilitate passenger and vehicle movement, and alleviate traffic congestion. As a result, she won the prizes for her creative bridge project during her learning journey in the camp.

Kaushalya reflected on the transformative experience of the camp, where bridges became more than physical connections—they symbolized the bridging of nationalities, people, and cultures, creating lasting memories. Kaushalya encourages everyone to participate in the Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp & Teacher Workshop in the future, expressing her eagerness to participate once again.