Students to explore the final frontier

With science and technology touching all spheres of human life the success of mankind solely depends on how we take this ahead.

In the next 25 years, however, our world will face a threat greater than nuclear warfare or global warming as we stand face to face with an acute shortage of scientists and engineers.

In this race against time, the workforce of the future; which will comprise of our children needs to be educated and trained in the right direction.

Whilst this need to be done, our schooling system crams bookish knowledge and remains focused on rote learning rather than motivating kids to take a practical approach.

With Maths and Science being taught in the dullest manner, it's no wonder that most children develop fear and hatred towards the subjects. But these very children are fascinated when it comes to topics like the Chandrayaan, NASA, astronauts and space travel.

In fact, in the last three years over 1,000 students from city schools like Cathedral, Queen Mary, Podar and Bombay Scottish have taken part in space camps held at the United States Space and Rocket Centre at Huntsville, Alabama.

These space camps give once in a lifetime experience through hands-on activities like astronaut training simulators and visits to space hardware museums. But this option can be accessed by only the elite; as the cost of one student can go over Rs1lakh.

But, if the topic fascinates many, why limit its knowledge to only the elite? As a solution to reach the as many students as possible, an extra curricular programme called 'Star Trek' will be launched by May 2010. Star Trek will be 50 hour space education programme for students from class VIII-X held for four hours on Saturdays.

"The objective of the programme is not to push students to become astronauts. But to use space as a medium to involve them in subjects like math, science, engineering and technology," said Chris Barber, founder and director, ISSET (International Space School Educational Trust). Star Trek will be offered by ISSET in association with Guardian Education India; a Space Camp group coordinator for US Space & Rocket Center, USA (For Maharashtra,  Goa and Indore).

"We aim to enhance what children learn from their books and inform them of the career choices ahead," informed Sandeep Joshi,  director of Guardian Education adding that they hope to reach over 3 lakh students within two years.

Star Trek has been divided into modules like satellites, space science, aeronautics and role of organisations like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Moving away from the notion that science curriculum is too difficult and doing away with intelligence level beliefs; trainers will use cognitive acceleration strategy to raise students' general levels of thinking.

They will create a cognitive conflict/challenge; involve students in social construction where they interact and build knowledge together and metacognition, where they will become conscious of their own thinking. If students see themselves as thinkers, and elucidate their thinking on one occasion, they are more likely to be both motivated and able to use that sort of thinking again.

For instance, the space science module will arouse curiosity through discussions like 'Why do we travel into space?', 'Is there life out there?', defying gravity and the hazards, hostilities and possibilities of colonising Mars.

"Simple science experiments and multimedia will be used to demystify space and heighten interest in learning," said Barber. As a result students will start applying tough physics concepts like velocity, acceleration to  the fascinating field of space navigation.

Beyond classroom sessions, students will have a five-hour science leadership programme and a testing and awareness session. They will be certified by Sheffiled Hallam University (UK), a globally leading science university and the National Space Society.