Their efforts have certainly paid off. At the three-day national science fair organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, CII and chipmaker Intel at Pune, their project bagged the first prize among the six final short-listed from 115.

A total of 1,400 projects were in the fray for selection by a team of 40 academicians, researches and scientists from across India.

The teenage girls are now all set to showcase their invention along with students of 40 other countries, at Atlanta, in the US, next March.

“Childhood is incomplete without sketch pens. But the fact remains that the ink has a petrochemical composition. Children often take pens in mouth, which is harmful. The thought of a safe sketch pen ink inspired us to come up with a vegetable based ink,” said Pooja.

“There has also been a shortage of petrochemical products. A vegetative ink is a far better option for the world and especially for agricultural based countries like ours,” added Riddhi.

Krishnakant Dholakia, founder of the school said, the girls executed the work, starting from research to the final testing at the laboratory, like thorough professionals.

They took the samples to the dye laboratories located at various parts of the state including Kutch and Ankleshwar for the viability of the project before submitting it at three day national fair starting December 6, he said.

The project has now been certified by the MSU Bio Science department, Saurashtra University Chemical Department and the Gujarat State Food and Drug Control Unit.