BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club

The BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club is happy to announce the 2nd wave of recruitment for Section & Sector Representatives!

This is your chance to lead and share your ideas. Join us in exploring science and innovation while using your creativity and communication skills to help the club grow.

Who Can Apply:

~All first-year students of BAF Shaheen College, Dhaka, are eligible to apply for the 2nd wave section/sector representatives.

~Applicant must be a member of the BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club.

~Shortlisted candidates selected through the other preliminary rounds will be invited to a viva (interview) on Google Meet at a fixed date for the final selection.

Registration Details:

Deadline: 04/02/2026

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7GH8yejeS94x6XChUtSr7QFNqLKp8EO9OS1wp7puEOt6xow/viewform?usp=header

Don't miss this opportunity to take responsibility and be part of our science family. Just fill out the form and get started!

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗬, 𝗔 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗧…

Recently, an old video quietly reappeared on the internet—and somehow, it struck a nerve. The clip shows a lone penguin walking across the vast, frozen emptiness of Antarctica. No colony. No synchronised movement. Just one small figure against an endless white landscape.

For most people, penguins are symbols of togetherness—always huddled, always moving as a group. That’s why this view felt unsettling. The penguin wasn’t just single; it was moving away from everything intimate. The silence of the ice, the slow, destined steps—it all felt strangely pathological, even though no words were pronounced.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠?

The scene is from Visibilities at the End of the World (2007), a documentary by filmmaker Werner Herzog that pursues the raw, often bizarre realities of life in Antarctica. In one immortal moment, the film captures a behavioural exception: a penguin abandoning its colony and heading inland—unto towering mountains instead of the profound.

According to accounts from the documentary, nearby human observers initially tried to guide the penguin back. For a brief moment, it seemed possible. But then, unexpectedly, the penguin turned away once more and continued its solitary march—this time toward a destination nearly 70 kilometres inland.

In Antarctica, such a journey offers no chance of survival. No food. No shelter. Only exhaustion and cold. At last, the penguin died.

This conduct stands in stark contrast to what we know about penguins: extremely social animals whose survival depends on adjustment, fellowship and staying together.

𝗕𝗨𝗧… 𝗪𝗛𝗬?

The natural question is why. Why would an animal so dependent on its group walk away from it?

To understand this, we have to step away from pathological storytelling and look through the lens of ethology—the scientific study of animal conduct.

Penguins navigate using a combination of environmental cues: visual landmarks, spatial memory and even Earth’s magnetic field. Extreme weather, neurological stress, illness or hormonal imbalance can disrupt these systems. When that happens, an animal may become disoriented—physically and behaviourally.

There’s also something called individual behavioural variation. Not every animal reacts the same way to stress or stimuli. Some persons are more experimental, more emotional or less reactive to social signals. During breeding seasons, elevated stress hormones like corticosterone can further weaken verdict and navigation, increasing the risk of lethal errors.

Importantly, this was not an aware act of self-destruction. Animals do not think in emblematic or existential terms the way humans do. This was not “giving up” or “choosing death”. Scientifically, it’s best understood as a maladaptive behavioural response—a rare moment where instinct fails under extreme internal or environmental pressure.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗨𝗦 𝗦𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗬?

Here’s where human psychology comes in.

As humans, we instinctively project meaning onto what we see. We associate isolation with sadness, rebellion, searching or escape—because those experiences are deeply human. Watching a lone penguin walk away from its group feels like watching someone step out of society, out of safety, into the unknown.

That’s why the clip went viral years later. Not because of what the penguin meant to do—but because of what we felt while watching it.

The penguin wasn’t making a statement. But in its silent walk, people saw reflections of stress, confusion and separation—things we understand all too well. And maybe that’s why this brief, quiet moment in the Antarctic ice stayed with us long after the video ended.

𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦

1. Herzog, W. (Director). (2007). Encounters at the End of the World [Documentary]. Discovery Films.

2. Alcock, J. (2013). Animal Behaviour: An Evolutionary Approach. Sinauer Associates.

3. Dall, S. R. X., et al. (2004). Behavioural differences among animals: causes and consequences. Ecology Letters, 7(8), 734–746.

4. Wingfield, J. C., & Sapolsky, R. M. (2003). Reproduction and resistance to stress: when and how. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 15(8), 711–724.

5. Tinbergen, N. (1963). On aims and methods of ethology. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie, 20(4), 410–433.

Festivals are inevitable, beautiful, and deeply meaningful moments in our lives—moments that reconnect us with our roots, celebrate unity in the present, and inspire hope for a brighter future.”
— Babe Arish

Today marks a day of reflection and celebration as we observe Shanskriti Puja, a festival that reflects our cultural harmony, ethical values, and collective traditions. This meaningful occasion reminds us that culture is preserved not only through rituals, but through inclusion, shared purpose, and mutual respect.

On this sacred day, BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club extends its heartfelt wishes to everyone. May Shanskriti Puja bring peace, wisdom, and renewed inspiration into our lives, strengthening the bond between humanity and tradition.

BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club had the honor of welcoming our newly appointed Principal, Group Captain Santanu Chowdhury, GUP, BUP, acsc, psc.
It was more than just a greeting; it was a source of pride for us as we could share our club's rich legacy. During this meeting, we discussed our future goals and upcoming projects for 2026. We are deeply inspired by the enthusiastic response and encouraging words of our honourable principal.
We wish you great success and the best of health in your new journey with us, sir. The club is excited to work under your guidance. We look forward to many new moments of excellence and discovery!

The Great Filter: Why Discovery of Aliens is Actually a Death Sentence

Introduction
The Great Filter is a theoretical threshold in the development of life that acts as a universal extinction point. It suggests that between the emergence of basic biology and the rise of a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is an “impossible” barrier—a Wall—that almost every species fails to cross. It explains why the universe appears sterile despite the billions of potentially habitable planets in our galaxy.

Concept Overview
The most dangerous discovery humanity could ever make would not be an alien empire—it would be a fossilized microbe.

If scientists confirm life on Mars, Europa, or Enceladus tomorrow, do not celebrate. Do not pop the champagne. This wouldn’t be a triumph—it would be a warning. A single dead alien cell would prove that life is easy to start. And if life is easy, but intelligent civilizations are nowhere to be found, then something must be wiping them out before they can spread across the stars.

That “something” is the Great Filter.

In this framework, the universe is not empty because life is rare—it is empty because survival is rare. The silence of space is not peaceful. It is suspicious. Under the cold logic of astrobiology, a fertile universe is a graveyard, and we are simply the next lambs in line for the slaughter. We have been conditioned to see the search for life as a hopeful quest, but the Great Filter suggests that the silence of the universe is our only real protection.

Researchable Points

The Fermi Paradox and the Cosmic Meat-Grinder
The Milky Way is over 13 billion years old and contains an estimated 40 billion Earth-like planets. Even at slow speeds, a technological civilization could colonize the entire galaxy in a fraction of that time. Yet we see nothing. No signals. No megastructures. No evidence of advanced civilizations. Since we see no Type II civilizations or Dyson spheres, something must be systematically deleting life before it can leave its home planet.

This contradiction is known as the Fermi Paradox. The Great Filter offers its most unsettling solution: civilizations routinely destroy themselves before they become visible. The universe functions like a cosmic meat-grinder, and almost everything that enters it fails.

Scenario A: The Filter Is Behind Us
In the most optimistic scenario, the Great Filter lies in our past.

If we find absolutely nothing in space—no bacteria, no fossils—it’s a win. It means the Wall is behind us. Maybe the jump from single-cells to complex brains is a one-in-a-trillion fluke. In this scenario, we have already cleared the hardest part of the gauntlet. We are the first to make it through, and we own the future.

In this case, the universe is quiet because we are first.
Silence would mean safety.
Loneliness would mean victory.

Scenario B: The Filter Is Ahead of Us
This is the nightmare scenario.

If we find evidence of simple alien life—bacteria, fossils, chemical traces—it proves that early life is common. That pushes the Great Filter forward in time, into our future.

It suggests that civilizations routinely reach our level of technological power and then disappear.

In this scenario, intelligence is not the finish line—it is the trap. Discovering alien life would mean we are mathematically destined to fail. Each new discovery would move the extinction barrier closer to the present.

The Final Boss: Technological Self-Destruction
The Great Filter does not require aliens; it requires a mirror.

As civilizations climb the Kardashev Scale, their power grows faster than their wisdom. Humanity is already interacting with several potential Filters.

Artificial General Intelligence: Creating systems that may not value human survival.
Climate Collapse: Destabilizing the only planet we can currently survive on.
Nuclear Technology: Holding extinction-level power while still governed by tribal politics.

The most dangerous moment for a civilization is not its birth but its adolescence.

Why This Matters
Redefines scientific priorities. Existential threats are no longer abstract risks; they are survival tests.
Reframes space exploration. The goal shifts from finding neighbors to understanding why no one else made it.
Destroys cosmic arrogance. Progress is not guaranteed. Intelligence does not imply permanence.
Guides ethical technology development. Safety must be built before irreversible damage occurs.

Conclusion
The Great Filter challenges the foundation of curiosity. In a silent universe, discovery is a threat. The absence of others is not an empty room; it is the aftermath of failed tests. Every search for microbes may be a countdown to extinction.

In a universe this quiet, you do not want company.
You want to be alone—because it means you survived.

Finding aliens would not mean we are saved.
It would mean we are next.

References:
1. Hanson, Robin. “The Great Filter – Are We Through It?” George Mason University, 1996.
http://hanson.gmu.edu/greatfilter.html
2. Bostrom, Nick. “Where Are They? Why I Hope the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Finds Nothing.” MIT Technology Review, 2008.
https://www.technologyreview.com
3. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. “The Great Filter: Why We Might Be the Only Life in the Universe.” YouTube, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjtOGPJ0nW8
4. Lineweaver, C. H., & Davis, T. M. Astrobiology, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2002).
5. Ord, Toby. The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity. Bloomsbury, 2020.

Credits:

Team
Fahad Mahmud
Abdullah Al Mamun
Tasnim Binte Alam
A. Nafi

Editorial, Presentation & Fact Check
Fahad Mahmud

Poster Design
Abdullah Al Mamun
Fahad Mahmud

Research & Script Writing
Fahad Mahmud
Tasnim Binte Alam
A. Nafi
Abdullah Al Mamun

AI Assistance (Non-Authorial)

Gemini (Google): Concept refinement, structural editing, language polishing, and narrative framing

In a remarkable display of unwavering commitment to quality education, BAF Shaheen College, Dhaka, has officially been recognized as the top educational institution in the city. Since its founding by the Bangladesh Air Force in 1960, the college has followed the motto: "Education, Restraint, Discipline."

Located in Dhaka Cantonment, the college is famous for its large green campus and excellent facilities. It is well-known for helping students succeed in board exams and gain admission to top universities. In recent years, the institution has maintained nearly perfect pass rates for the HSC exams, with many students earning top grades (GPA 5.0). Beyond academics, the college emphasizes discipline, sports, and cultural activities to help students develop into future leaders.

This achievement is a proud moment for the Principal, teachers, and students. BAF Shaheen continues to soar higher, stronger, and prouder than ever.

Laylatul Mi'raj is a holy night when the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) traveled to the heavens at the command of Allah Almighty and witnessed the infinite signs of the Creator. This is not just a miracle, but a great lesson and guidance from Allah Almighty for all mankind.

It is narrated in the Al-Quran:
"Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Al-Masjid al-Haram to Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, the surroundings of which We have blessed, that We may show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing."
(Surah Al-Isra: Verse 1)

Today, in remembrance of the night on which the five daily prayers were ordained for us as a gift, we immerse ourselves in seeking forgiveness. We, BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club, hope that this blessed night will bring peace to our hearts and inspire us to reach new heights of knowledge and spirituality.

I am sorry
That I can't stay
And I am sorry
We're light years away”
— The Midnight

Have you ever listened to this song? If you have, I'm sure you felt the desire to go light years away even once, right? If the answer is yes, then congratulations! You are not alone. Many others have felt the same, and some have even tried to make it happen.

Through their attempts, they encountered a hypothetical idea—a cheat code to pass the vast distance: the wormhole.

Now, in this article, we are going to explore wormholes in depth: their origin, geometry, advantages and challenges, and some of the fictional and scientific arguments surrounding them. Again, it’s all about an idea, or maybe even a myth.

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
--Martin Luther King Jr.

BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club delightfully presents its Executive Panel 2025–26.
This dynamic and enthusiastic team is ready to reach the club to greater heights with fresh ideas and strong leadership.These recently appointed members bring a diversity of perspectives, a sincere love of science,
and a determination to excel in their specialized fields. With creativity and teamwork at the core,they are set to inspire new initiatives and build a lively, inspiring science community.

We wish them every success in the journey that lies ahead and look forward to excitingprograms, and many moments of scientific discovery under their leadership.

With profound respect and heartfelt gratitude, the BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club bids farewell to our honorable outgoing Principal, Group Captain Mohammad Kaisul Hassan, psc.

As the chief advisor of our club, your visionary leadership and unwavering support for scientific inquiry have been a great inspiration for our achievements; from the success of "AURUM XIII- From Spark to Legacy" to the daily innovations within our lab walls.

Thank you sir, for always encouraging us to reach for the stars. We wish you the best in your next chapter of service and success.

“A new year is not just a change of time but a chance to redefine purpose and progress.”

— Anonymous

The New Year remains not absolutely as a milestone of dates but as a reflection of enhancement, elasticity and the combined efforts that shape our journey. It reminds us of the purposes we carry forth and the positive influence we strive to generate simultaneously.

As we step into this new chapter, may it bring initiate realisation, cabalistic achievements and amenities to increase both independent potential and combined nobility.

On behalf of BAF Shaheen College Dhaka Science Club, we reached our warmest New Year wishes. May the days fore be filled with attainment, novelty and the power to reach even greater altitudes.