The conclusion of the first Space Summer school (SSS) of Pakistan at Institute of Space Technology (IST). Around 300 students of 75 plus schools and colleges took part in school. It contained 50 interactive sessions in 10 exploration tracks for students in two levels as abecedarian and virtuoso. The school had activities based on a space theme. Additionally, the school had activities, webinars with space technology experts, e-talks with ESA Astronaut, hands on workshops, simulations, the career counseling session, social events, themed dinner and astronomy night.
The original Space Summer School of Pakistan was from July 17-22, 2017. Space Summer School was first of its kind in Pakistan that aimed to prepare students for grade 5th to 12th with adequate Space Science and Technology knowledge, awareness, future, and careers.
Danial Amin, curator Space Summer School. Dr. Najam Abbas, Deputy Director, Student Affairs and Programme Manager, SSS participants appraised participants for their 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) highly praised this initiative of Institute of Space Technology for fashioning awareness about space technology among the youth and educating students about the welfares of space technology.
Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani appreciated the hard work of IST for Space Technology education and popularization. Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor of IST said that space technology is a certain revolution. Pakistan has to have knowledge of space technology and its applications to cope challenges like accurate weather forecasting, disaster management, mobile and satellite communication. The importance of space technology can be undeniable as a tool for the betterment of humanity and IST is paying to the cause in the true sense.
Space Summer School covered ten exploration tracks viz. the Earth, Atmosphere, Aviation, Rocketry, Satellite Technology, Space Travel, Space for Life, Space Agencies, Astronomy and Astrophysics and our contributions. It had a special webinar with Europe Space Agency Astronaut, Dr. Gerhard Thiele about the exquisiteness and challenges of Space Travel and one webinar on Navigating with Space Technology by United Nation fellow, Ms. Gabriella Povero who motivated the children about the applications of Space Technology in our daily life. IST also launched the first Dr. Abdus Salam Space Contest school to measure the level of space learning. A paper based test on ten exploration tracks of SSS was designed as per international standards. Space Spellathon, Space creative writing, and Space Arts competitions were part of the school to improve learning and vision of students. Space Summer School participants also had 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 some other highlights of the Space Summer School.