Kalpana Chawla Space Lab to open on Raj Bhawan premises

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's Raj Bhawan will soon have a Space Science and Innovation Lab on its premises. The lab, named after astronaut Kalpana Chawla, will be inaugurated in the second week of Feb.It is coming up following an agreement with Vyomika Foundation and aims to provide students of Classes 6-8 with hands-on learning opportunities in space science, robotics, drone technology, artificial intelligence, astronomy, and satellite applications. The lab will foster scientific curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking among students in alignment with the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) educational outreach goals and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It will also bridge the gap between theoretical science education and practical, application-oriented STEM learning in govt schools. Further, the lab will help students pursue higher education and careers in space science, engineering, and emerging technologies. Under the agreement, Vyomika Foundation will, apart from designing and developing the lab, supply STEM-based curriculum modules, educational content, and activity kits aligned with ISRO's outreach guidelines. In addition, it will organise periodic exhibitions, competitions, and science fairs to enhance student engagement, besides facilitating space lab students for ISRO centre visits and competitions. The tie-up comes following a collaboration of Vyomika Foundation with ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) for executing the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram for rural India. VVK is an educational initiative to introduce, inspire, and involve rural students in the field of space science, space technology, and innovation. The first pilot space lab was implemented in a govt school in Hasudi Ausanpur village, Siddharthnagar district, under the leadership of village pradhan Dileep Tripathi. Managing trustee, Vyomika Foundation, Mr Govind Yadav, said, "The Kalpana Chawla Space Lab is a historic milestone, making it India's first Raj Bhavan to house a high-end space science education facility. Through this lab, we aim to bring skill development in emerging technologies to underprivileged govt school students and help them dream beyond boundaries."