Strides towards the cosmos

The Vikram Sarabhai Rural Space Lab in Siddharth Nagar, UP, has been promoting STEM education among rural students-offering innovative resources, training, and opportunities for career development in the space industry

- ANIL SWARUP

With the vision of promoting Science and Technology among rural students in India, the Vikram Sarabhai Rural Space Lab was established in the remote district of Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The lab was set up on November 14, 2022. Students are learning 21st-century subjects such as rockets, telescopes, satellites, spacecraft, Mars colonisation, coding, drones, aircraft, robotics, astronomy, and more.

The laboratory offers space education DIY kits, space mission models of ISRO, an annual hybrid learning curriculum, practical training sessions by certified space educators, webinars and seminars by global space experts, career guidance for joining the space industry, preparation for space-themed competitions, and a teacher training programme for school educators.

The subject areas covered include space science and technology, drones and aircraft, robotics and coding, CAD modelling and 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality, and the NCERT K-12 STEM curriculum.