Practical learning can help students understand science in new ways. A group of government school students in Tamil Nadu recently got an opportunity to take part in a real scientific project.
Under Project Uyarvu, 55 students from 11 government middle schools in Coimbatore district designed a scientific device and sent it into the stratosphere using a helium balloon.
The balloon carried the students’ nearly 2-kg payload to an altitude of more than 35 kilometres. The equipment collected information on temperature, air pressure, humidity and altitude. It also studied tiny particles present in the atmosphere.
Students from Classes VI to VIII took part in planning and developing the equipment. The project was organised by Rotary E-Club of Metro Dynamix with support from the Open Space Foundation and CSTERC Techno Science LLP.
The next stage will involve around 330 students studying the collected data. They will examine air quality around their schools and prepare reports for the district administration and environmental experts.
