Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the ‘Apna Chandrayaan’ web portal, designed to provide activity-based educational materials such as quizzes and puzzles to school students in relation to Mission Chandrayaan-3. This initiative was developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and was launched in the presence of ISRO Chairperson and Secretary of the Department of Space, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath.
Comprehensive Modules on Chandrayaan-3
As part of this initiative, 10 special modules focusing on Chandrayaan-3 were introduced. These modules aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mission, covering scientific, technological, and social aspects. Additionally, they shed light on the emotional journey and teamwork of the scientists involved.
Inspiring the Youth
Minister Pradhan emphasized the significant impact of Chandrayaan-3’s success on inspiring the youth of India. He suggested the development of a dedicated app for the web portal to enhance accessibility, promoting self-guided learning among students.
PM’s Support for Educational Initiatives
Pradhan revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged Somanath to share the stories of Chandrayaan-3 with the children of the country. Additionally, the Prime Minister has entrusted him with various important tasks, such as establishing an orbital space station and developing next-generation launch vehicles.
Expanding Module Topics
The Education Minister proposed making these modules elective for all classes and announced plans to create more modules on 14 diverse topics, including women empowerment, Covid-19 vaccination, India’s G20 Presidency, and more.
Features of the ‘Apna Chandrayaan’ Portal
The web portal offers a range of resources, including coloring books, online quizzes, jigsaw puzzles, picture builders, and inspiring stories. Online interactive quizzes are available for preparatory, middle, and secondary school levels, with explanations provided for responses. Students scoring over 70% will receive digital certificates, and the first 1,000 high scorers will be rewarded with age-appropriate books.
This initiative is set to enhance students’ understanding of Chandrayaan-3, promoting curiosity and learning in the field of space exploration and science.