A team of scientists from Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) conducted a stimulating Model Rocketry Workshop for the students of Global Indian International School Ahmedabad from 4th to 8th February 2021. Almost 50 students from Grades 7 to 11 participated in this workshop. The VASCSC team also conducted a teachers’ orientation programme at school on 19th January 2021 prior to the students’ workshop.

Under Model Rocketry Workshop, which was sponsored by ORACLE, there were three components, namely lecture, making, and launching of the rockets. As a part of the lecture series, the students were explained the basics of rockets, models of rockets, and scientific principles behind rocketry - Newton’s laws of motion, satellites, and different orbits. The making of a model rocket from commonly available stationery and PET bottles (plastic cold drink bottles) was the crux of the rocket-making component. The launching part included the launching of the model rockets made by individual students on the final day of the workshop at school. The excitement of the children was palpable as they watched the rockets made by them being launched successfully in the sky!

A launcher kit has also been gifted by VASCSC to the school for carrying out this activity autonomously in the future.

Mr. Caesar D’silva, Principal GIIS Ahmedabad says, “India is emerging as a major player in space technology and advancement. This requires the knowledge of space sciences and rocket technology to trickle down to the grassroots level. This workshop is one such initiative of GIIS in association with VASCSC to enhance the basic concepts in space sciences among the children through hands-on activities.”

The workshop was successfully conducted under the guidance of Ms. Ami Betai and Dr. Uma Sharma from the Science Department of GIIS Ahmedabad.