The BPS team during the Nasa educational and recreational trip to the US.
Doha: BPS organised the two of three, Nasa educational and recreational trip to the US from April 29 to May 7, 2019 and May 7 to May 15. There was a 3-day international camp at the Kennedy Space Center – Orlando FL, students were engaged in unique adventures and educational activities that could not be found anywhere else.
Campers teamed up as they were presented with everyday challenges faced by astronauts based on Nasa space research stations-related to science, technology, engineering, and math. Additionally, they interacted with each other through astronaut training simulators, participated in real Nasa experiments, program and operated robots, and experienced a guided tour of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
The focus of this camp was on inspiring the ‘Mars Generation’ through three days of teamwork, educational fun, and enriching space activities.
The nine days trip also included guided inside visit to the UN Headquarters, Statue of Liberty, Washington DC & New York. The students at the Centre for Space Education were taught the basics of programming with an easy and globally familiar electronic platform - Arduina. The students collaborated in teams and programmed the Mars Rover as a part of Robotics. The competition helped them gain an Innovative and Critical thinking experience. They also gained analytical and mechanical knowledge.
These groomed them to master the programming concepts and to compete the given challenge. The students received the participation Certificate and the winning teams (girls and boys) received Medals. The KSC tour, Space Shuttle Atlantis Museum, IMAX and Lunch with the Astronaut were part of the visit.
A detailed itinerary of the trip was issued before- hand. The complete trip was for 9 days each time and 159 students were accompanied by 16 Teachers. At the end of the day they learnt how brave, mentally and physically strong an astronaut is and that every day these astronauts strive selflessly to explore space to help us and the planet earth.
