Lakshadweep sends students on first Sriharikota science tour to boost STEM learning

Kochi: The Department of Science and Technology of the Lakshadweep Administration organised the first-ever 'Sriharikota Scientific Educational Study Tour' for selected students from various schools in the islands, officials said on Sunday. The tour was organised in association with the Lakshadweep Astronomy Club, which selected 21 students through an online aptitude test based on astronomy, space science, scientific reasoning, analytical ability, and technical awareness, conducted among students from schools across Lakshadweep.

A statement issued by the Lakshadweep Administration said the project was aimed at fostering scientific temperament, technical awareness, and a research-oriented learning approach among students, while directly exposing island students to activities in modern science and technology. The initiative was implemented as part of the administration's educational activities to strengthen STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.

According to officials, the study tour began from Lakshadweep on May 2. "As part of the study tour, the students visited India's main space launch centre, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), and learned directly about the launch pads, vehicle assembly complexes, propulsion systems, mission integration facilities, telemetry-tracking systems and satellite-related technologies there," the statement said.

Also read Education Ministry Plans: PM SHRI in West Bengal, Kerala, TN; NIPUN Bharat till Class 5; mental health policy

ISRO Missions: Students explore space science, research labs

Students were also introduced to modern space technology concepts such as orbital mechanics, cryogenic propulsion, launch vehicle staging, remote sensing satellites and mission sequencing, it added. During the visit to SDSC-SHAR, Mission Control Centre (MCC) Manager Raghava Kumar M V and SDSC-SHAR Librarian Kumar N interacted with the students and explained the operational importance of Sriharikota, launch vehicles, previous successful missions, future ISRO missions and mission control operations, the statement said.

The students also participated in study programmes at the Government Museum Chennai, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre and M P Birla Planetarium. The students later visited the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), interacted with scientists and toured various research laboratories there.

The team returned to Kochi on May 8 and departed for Lakshadweep on May 10. Administration officials said the project was a major milestone in the promotion of scientific education and offered island students a rare opportunity to gain direct exposure to the national-level science and technology sectors.