Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi, April 25: A class 10 student hailing from a rural area in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district will be a part of a team of 150 junior scientists. These were selected from across the country for a two-week-long programme organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Under the Yuva Vaigyanik Karyakram (Young Scientists’ Programme 2022), the students will be imparted basic knowledge about space science, technology, and applications during the programme from May 16–28 to make them aware of emerging trends in science and technology. They would visit laboratories, attend talks by eminent scientists, and witness experimental demonstrations at various ISRO centres, including the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Rishika Agarwal, (15), a student of CBSE-affiliated O P Jindal School in Patratu and among the 150 young scientists selected for the programme through a national test, said, “This would be my best summer vacation ever. It would help me realise my dream of becoming a space scientist.” Her school principal, Sweta Malani, said it was a proud moment for the institution.
ISRO’s ‘Yuva Vaigyanik Karyakram’ (YUVIKA) or ‘Young Scientist Programme’ is aimed at creating awareness about the emerging trends in science and technology amongst the youngsters, who are the ‘future building blocks of our nation’, according to the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency.
“The programme aims to select 150 students across the country, who are studying in Class IX as of March 1, 2022, in a school located within the territory of India,” the ISRO said in the announcement.
ISRO said it has chalked out the programme to ‘catch them young’. The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based careers and research work, it said.
Notably, the YUVIKA-2022 residential programme will run for two weeks from May 16 to May 28. The schedule will include talks, experience-sharing by eminent scientists, experimental demonstration, facility and lab visits, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts, and practical and feedback sessions.
