NASA scientists and astronauts conducts space experiment workshop in Noida

NASA Scientists and astronaut are conducting space experiment workshop with school students at Shiv Nadar School, Noida. The winning experiment will be replicated aboard at the International Space Station by astronauts.

Astronaut Steven Roy Swanson and his team are interacting with students from 14 schools participating in the workshop

Shiv Nadar School, a part of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, is conducting a unique multi-school workshop for an experiential learning program called Mission Discovery India in collaboration with ISSET (International Space School Educational Trust), UK.

The five day workshop, from October 5 – 9, 2016, will involve Indian students working in mixed groups with Astronaut Steven Roy Swanson; Astronaut Trainer, Sarah Murray; ISSET Founder, Chris Barber, and other leaders to design experiments for space. The India workshop is ISSET’s first in Asia.

As per reports, the workshop is orienting students on real-life issues linked to space based on which the students will design experiments, taking into account the limiting environment of space.

For example winning experiments from past global Mission Discovery programs looked at determining the effectiveness of treatment of conjunctivitis in microgravity or carbon dioxide consumption by cacti in space. The 17 participating schools from across North India include the Shiv Nadar Schools, Mayo College, Ajmer, Delhi Public School and The Sri Ram School among others. Students are divided into 30 teams comprising eight students each (from class 8th upwards) to design the experiments.

The workshop facilitators include NASA scientist Sarah Murray, Astronaut Steven Roy Swanson and Julie Keeble, a lecturer in Pharmacology in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science from King’s College London.

On bringing Mission Discovery to India, Astronaut Steven Roy Swanson said, “With this program, students get a straight-off opportunity to get involved and participate in something that for many is unimaginable or out-of-bounds. Winning this will give students the privilege of having their ideas actually reach space and be carried out at the international space station.”

Speaking on the occasion, Col Gopal Karunakaran, CEO, Shiv Nadar School says, “Mission Discovery is allowing Indian students an opportunity to experiment on scientific issues actually relevant to NASA, working alongside real astronauts and scientists.”

Chris Barber, Founder, The International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET), said, “Mission Discovery is a global program conducted in the UK, USA, China, Australia and, now in India. Mission Discovery enables students to learn firsthand from astronauts, world famous scientists and NASA leaders.”

Shikha Agnihotri, Founder, Young Edsplorer, said, “Young Edsplorer aims to revolutionize the concept of learning, through experiences for school students in the Indian Subcontinent. Keeping that passion in mind, we would like to thank ISSET, UK for collaborating with us to bring Mission Discovery to India.”