The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is putting on a unique programme for schoolchildren called "Yuva VIgyani KAryakram" (YUVIKA) or "Young Scientist Programme" to teach young pupils about space technology, science, and applications, particularly in rural areas.
According to the Bengaluru-based space agency, the programme aims to raise awareness about developing trends in science and technology among young people, who are the "future building blocks of our nation.""The initiative intends to choose 150 students across the country who are studying in Class IX in a school located inside the territory of India as of March 1, 2022," the ISRO said in a statement.
ISRO stated that the effort was designed to "catch them young." The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue professions and research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), according to the statement.
From May 16 through May 28, the YUVIKA-2022 residential programme will take place. Talks, experience sharing by famous scientists, experimental demonstrations, facility and lab visits, special sessions for expert discussions, practical and feedback sessions will all be on the agenda.
Participants will be chosen based on a number of factors, including grades in Class 8 and participation in scientific fairs (school, district, state, and national level) organised by the school, district, state, or Central government authority in the previous three years.
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram; U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru; Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad; and North-East Space Application Centre (NE-SAC), Shillong are the five ISRO centres where the programme will be held.