Two-week Space Summer School kicks off at IST

ISLAMABAD - A two-week long Space Summer School has inaugurated at Institute of Space Technology (IST), under the theme of Space Technology Education and Popularization (STEP) with the participation of over 110 students from nine schools.

Space Summer School (SSS) is based on covering more than 50 interactive sessions in 10 exploration tracks for students in two levels as abecedarian and virtuoso.

It will have a canvas of space-themed activities, interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, space career counseling, Dr. Abdus Salam space contest, space creative writing space creative designing, space creative arts, webinars, seminars and astronomy night.

The inaugural ceremony was hosted by Danial Amin, the curator of Space Summer School. Dr. Najam Abbas.

Director Student Affairs and Program Head SSS welcomed the participants and outlined the theme of Space Summer School under the initiative of Space Technology Education and Popularization, said a news release.

He also emphasized on the importance of Space Technology for Pakistan and declared Space Summer School as a significant milestone towards Pakistan Space program.

The chief guest of the ceremony, Director General ORIC Prof Dr. Zaffar Mohammad applauded the initiative of Institute of Space Technology for creating awareness about space technology among the youth and educating the students about the benefits of space technology.

Dr. Zaffar praised the efforts of IST for Space Technology education and popularization. Dean IST Dr. Iqbal Rasool Memon was also present on the occasion.

Space Summer School will cover interactive lectures in the domain of ten exploration tracks namely the Earth, Atmosphere, Aviation, Rocketry, Satellite Technology, Space Travel, Space for Life, Space Agencies, Astronomy and Astrophysics and our contributions.

It will host a special webinar with Europe Space Agency Astronaut, Dr. Gerhard Thiele about the exquisiteness and challenges of Space Travel. Another webinar on Astrobiology by Dr Nozair Khawaja from Germany and Dr. Aquib Moin, UAE Space Agency, will motivate the children about the applications of Space Science and Technology.

Space Summer School participants will be provided an opportunity to explore Planetarium, Aircraft Technology, CanSat Satellite development, Quadcopter Design, UAV design and Fabrication along with Astrolabe and Telescope.

Participants will get a chance to visit space-related laboratories and will also do the hands-on experiments under the supervision of faculty. Space Summer School team has developed a specialized Dr. Abdus Salam Space Contest, that will gauge the level of space learning of students.

It will be a paper-based test on the ten exploration tracks of SSS and has been designed according to International standards. Space Spellathon, Space creative writing, and Space Arts competitions will also be arranged to enhance the learning and vision of students. Solar observations and star gazing will be the other highlights of the Space Summer School.

IST has a legacy of arranging International and National events for creating awareness among the general public related to Space Technology.

IST has the heritage of celebrating World Space Week for last 13 years and is ranked first for organizing the maximum number of events in Pakistan for the year 2017 by International World Space Week Association (WASA).

Following the legacy of past and fulfilling the mantra of Space Awareness, Institute of Space Technology has planned the Space Summer School from July 16-27, 2018.

Space Summer School is aiming to equip students from grade 5th to 12th with adequate Space Science and Technology knowledge, awareness, future, and careers.