Over 10,000 students from across the State made a beeline for the space science exhibition held at the Sarabhai Science Park in Kakkanad in connection with the science week celebrations ending Wednesday.
On Tuesday, 2,400 students visited the space gallery to understand the evolution of India’s space programme, rocket technology and the way to the future. The highlight of the day’s events was the ‘make the rocket’ session handled by V.P. Balagangadharan, former senior scientist and group head at the Vikram Sarabhai Science Centre (VSSC).
Using customised tools such as empty soft drink bottles, he taught the students various aspects of rocket making and technology. Mr. Balagangadharan, who has authored a children’s book on rockets, said he would make an effort to get a launcher so that there could soon be a live demonstration of launch of water rockets.
Interacting with a large gathering of students on the theme of ‘Space for Human Safety and Security’, he satisfied their queries straddling a range of topics from rocket science to the mission to Mars. Teams from 18 schools took part in the day’s quiz contest in which the team from the Oxford School, Kollam, secured the first position. St Alberts Higher Secondary school, Ernakulam, came second and St Pauls Public school, Thrissur bagged the third prize. The winners of the quiz contest will get a chance to go on a launch tour of Thumba, Director of the Sarabhai Science Park Indira Rajan said.
Over the last six days, several senior space scientists and eminent personalities visited the park to interact with students. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, principal secretary (science and technology) and executive vice-president of KSCSTE, is slated to address students on the concluding day of the science week celebrations.
