IIT Kanpur To Guide UP Govt Schools Setting-Up Astronomy And Science Clubs

IIT Kanpur’ Department of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering in collaboration with the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra (RSK) is going to start Astronomy & Science Clubs in government schools in the state. This initiative seeks to cultivate a deep interest in science and space exploration among young minds, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to explore these exciting fields.

As part of this initiative, participating schools will receive specially designed Astronomy and Science kits, each containing over 100 hands-on experiments. These kits are meticulously crafted to engage students in interactive learning, allowing them to gain practical experience while exploring scientific concepts.

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Dr. Tejpreet Kaur, Institute Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of SPASE, IIT Kanpur, highlighted the importance of astronomy in broadening students’ understanding of the universe. She remarked, “Astronomy is not simply about observing stars, but about comprehending our place within the vast expanse of the universe.”

Dr. Kaur, who is also involved in the Khagolvani astronomy outreach project supported by the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD), shared that night-sky observation sessions, along with hands-on astronomy activities, would soon be introduced in schools to further engage students.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has provided CSR funding to support the establishment of Astronomy and Science Clubs in the first 10 government schools.

During the inaugural ceremony, Deepak Kumar Dey, Chief General Manager of SBI, expressed his strong support for the initiative, stating, “The launch of the Astronomy and Science Kit Club at Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra represents a pivotal moment in fostering a genuine interest in science. By partnering with IIT Kanpur, we aim to inspire young minds and create a lasting impact on the value of their education.”

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Roopesh Gangwar, Chief Manager at SBI, further noted, “Following the successful pilot phase in a select number of schools, we are committed to supporting IIT Kanpur in expanding this initiative to a broader network of schools in the forthcoming year.”