11 students recognised as NASA Cassini Scientist for a day

HYDERABAD:Ten out of the 11 students recognised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as NASA Cassini Scientist for a day are from the State. These children will interact with real mission scientists through indirect video conference to be conducted in first week of March and also participate in a direct video conference with NASA's former and existing scientists the next week.

This announcement was made at a ceremony organised by Planetary Society, India, in association with Cassini People Outreach Division and US Consulate General's Office, here on Thursday. “It's an opportunity for students in grades 5 to 10 to learn about Saturn and Cassini – Huygens mission by participating through essay format,” said Planetary Society General Secretary N. Sri Raghunandan Kumar. The selected students are: Rohin Vajawat, K. Sushmithasri, E. Radheshyam, G. Meghna, Ram Pranav and Shahnawaz (all from Hyderabad), Ch. Bhaskar and C.H.V. Sai Vinay (Vijayawada), M. Bharat (Tirupati), Vishnu Priya (Kothagudem) and Syed Yasin Shahtaz Emanee (Assam). Explaining the activity, Mr. Kumar said students were asked to imagine that they were real scientists on Cassini Mission of NASA to Saturn and write a scientific report after selecting one of the three targets given by the mission authorities.

Participating as the chief guest, US Consulate Office Vice-Consul Pamela Pontius said the programme would enable students develop more interest in science and technology.