Students Are Provided With A Better Understanding of Physics

Let your child move over rocket crackers when he can now fly a real rocket. All thanks to Rocketeers, a startup which is now teaching students how to fly one. This startup is founded by Bengaluru-based aerospace engineers Divyanshu Poddar and Akash Ekka, alumni of Indian Institute of Space Technology (IIST). The company aims for developing a model rocketry ecosystem in India. Both Poddar and Ekka are enthusiasts in the space education sector. They cherished a dream of working on it since their college days but could not for lack of adequate resources. But now, they are not only building model rockets but they are also collaborating with schools and colleges for encouraging interest among youngsters.

Ekka said that they are the first and only startup who is working on model rocketry in India with solid fuel power. This is something very popular in the US and Europe. Now, they have more than 15,000 rockets across India, in institutions and colleges. Their aim is on space education and so schools and colleges are our primary target groups. So far, they have engaged with more than 50 schools.

The team of Rocketeers has been conducting workshops not only in institutions which are located in the metro cities but also in the remotest areas in the country. Their vision is to open avenues for students to explore space education with the help of alternate methods of learning. The workshops, which are held for up to two days, work in encouraging enthusiasts for understanding the concepts through DIY activities.

Ekka added that they seek schools and try to get them to understand the importance of alternate education which triggers excitement and thrill among students, as compared to a regular academic course. This two-day workshop is tried by schools to accommodate during the weekend. Firstly, students are made to understand the concept thoroughly. Then, they build their flagship rocket which is designed to be stable and safe, and then they fly it, under supervision. For intermediate children, the same process is followed on the first day of the workshop. On the second day, they are provided with a DIY kit. Based on what they teach them, the students then have to figure out how to design the rocket from scratch. They conduct the workshop in a way in which their competitive skills are stimulated.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/learning/startup-student-fly-model-rockets-maths-physics-5628402/