Saturday, 25 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
A two-week Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (Yuvika) programme for school children to impart basic knowledge on space technology, space science and space applications concluded at the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) here on Friday. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had chalked out this programme to ignite the interest of youngsters in space science. The programme aims to encourage younger students to pursue a career in space science and technology. A total of 352 participants studying in class IX and X were selected for the programme by ISRO out of which 51 students from four States (Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab) and two Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) joined the programme at IIRS. The course was simultaneously conducted at seven ISRO centres across the country.
A two-week exhaustive schedule consisting of lectures, practical sessions were conducted as part of the programme. The programme contents included topics related to space science, Indian space programme, ISRO planetary missions and applications of space technology and drone technology. Special sessions were conducted by eminent scientists including IIRS director RP Singh, former ADG of India Meteorological Department Anand Sharma, former deputy DG of IMA Jagdish Singh, former ISRO scientist CA Prabhakar, Aryabhatt Research Institute of Observational Sciences scientist Virendra Yadav and Physical Research Laboratory scientist Ankala Raja Bayanna. The hands-on experiment sessions included preparation and launch of water rocket, model rocket, seismograph, rubber-band car, wooden DIY kit, sky gazing and wireless rover. Demonstrations on satellite tracking, CANSAT, spectrometer, geoportals, soil lab testing, trace gas analysers, sun-photometer, mensuration of tree parameters, rock sample and spectra identification, weather balloon and remote sensing Instruments were also conducted. Special interactive session was conducted live from the India’s Antarctic research station and with the Indian Gaganyatris.
Apart from academic activities, extracurricular activities such as Yoga, outdoor/indoor sports, swimming, bird watching and cultural activities were also included in the programme. To sensitise the participants about geology, ecology and science, a trek in the lower Himalayas and visits to Forest Research Institute and Vigyan Dham were also conducted.
