IST Space Summer School concludes

Islamabad: Pakistan’s first Space Summer school (SSS) concluded at Institute of Space Technology (IST). Space School hosted about 300 students of more than 75 schools and colleges of Pakistan. It was a week-long, activity based learning that covered more than 50 interactive sessions in 10 exploration tracks for students in two levels as abecedarian and virtuoso. In addition to lectures, Space Summer School had a canvas of space themed activities, webinars with space technology experts, e-talks with ESA Astronaut, hands on workshops, simulations, career counselling session, social events, themed dinner and astronomy night.

The concluding ceremony was hosted by, Danial Amin, curator Space Summer School. Dr. Najam Abbas, Deputy Director, Student Affairs and Programme Manager, SSS greeted the participants and appraised the accomplishments of Space Summer School under the initiative of Space Technology Education and Popularization (STEP). The chief guest of the ceremony, Professor Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani Chairman Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST) commended the initiative of Institute of Space Technology for creating cognizance about space technology among the youth and educating students about the benefits of space technology.

Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani appreciated the efforts of IST for Space Technology education and popularization. Speaking on the occasion, Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor IST said that Revolution in the space technology is inevitable. It is the need of hour to have a deep knowledge of space technology and its applications for a country like Pakistan in order to meet the challenges of having accurate information of weather forecasting, disaster management, mobile and satellite communication. The importance of space technology cannot be denied as it will ultimately lead to the solutions of the world’s problems and betterment of mankind and IST is contributing to the cause in true sense.

The first Space Summer School of Pakistan was organized from July 17-22, 2017. Space Summer School was first of its kind in Pakistan that was aimed to equip students from grade 5th to 12th with adequate Space Science and Technology knowledge, awareness, future and careers.

Space Summer School covered 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 hosted a special webinar with Europe Space Agency Astronaut, Dr. Gerhard Thiele about the exquisiteness and challenges of Space Travel. Another webinar on Navigating with Space Technology by United Nation fellow, Ms. Gabriella Povero motivated the children about the applications of Space Technology in our daily life. IST also launched the first Dr. Abdus Salam Space Contest during this summer school in order to gauge the level of space learning of students. It was a paper based test on the ten exploration tracks of SSS and was designed according to international standards. Space Spellathon, Space creative writing and Space Arts competitions were also arranged to enhance the learning and vision of students. Space Summer School participants were provided an opportunity to explore Planetarium, Aircraft Technology, CanSat Satellite development, Quad- copter Design and Fabrication along with Astrolabe and Telescopy. Solar Observations and star gazing were the other highlights of the Space Summer School.