India Celebrates First National Space Day in August 2024! Schools Gear Up for Space-Themed Activities

New Delhi: Mark your calendars! India is set to celebrate its first-ever National Space Day in August 2024. The Government of India declared August 23rd a national holiday to commemorate the historic success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a soft landing on the lunar surface in 2023.

This year’s celebration aims to ignite the passion for space exploration among the nation’s youth. The theme, “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” highlights the profound impact of space technology on society and everyday life.

CBSE Issued Circular Regarding this and Planned Activities for the National Space Day Celebration

Schools Take Center Stage:

Schools across the country are encouraged to participate in several exciting activities throughout August. These activities aim to engage students with the wonders of space while fostering a deeper appreciation for India’s space achievements.

Here are some of the suggested activities:

• Learning from Chandrayaan: Schools can utilize specially designed, grade-specific modules on the Chandrayaan mission, translated into 13 regional languages. These modules, available at https://ncert.nic.in/chandrayaan.php, offer a comprehensive understanding of the mission’s goals and accomplishments.
• Space Exploration Extravaganza: From August 22nd to 23rd, schools can organize special events like workshops, demonstrations, and lectures focusing on the Chandrayaan mission, ISRO’s other groundbreaking projects like Aditya, and the broader field of space technology.
• Reaching for the Stars: Students can embark on a virtual journey to the moon by registering on the “Bharat on the Moon” portal launched last year (https://bharatonthemoon.ncert.gov.in/). This interactive portal offers engaging activities and resources tailored to pique their curiosity about lunar exploration.
• Showcasing Creativity: Schools can organize quiz competitions and painting contests based on space exploration themes. Additionally, inviting eminent space scientists or astronauts to interact with students can provide them with a unique perspective and spark their imaginations further.

Sharing the Success:

Schools participating in these activities are encouraged to submit a brief report and photographs of their events through a dedicated online form (https://forms.gle/6vNSQxWeGk5Vd4YV9) by August 24th, 2024. This initiative aims to document and celebrate the nationwide efforts to create a generation of space enthusiasts in India.

National Space Day 2024 promises to be a stimulating and educational experience for students across the country. So, get ready to explore the cosmos and celebrate India’s remarkable journey in space!