Thiruvananthapuram :

Sounding rockets will sear the skies and high altitude balloons will climb new heights at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), coinciding with the observation of the World Space Week (WSW) – 2014 from October 4 to 10 this year.

An array of programmes will be organized for schoolchildren during the week.

The programmes planned include an essay competition for High School Students on the topic ‘Space – Guiding your Way’.

Essays can be in English, Hindi or Malayalam. Handwritten essays not exceeding 2,000 words along with a certificate from the head of institution should reach the WSW office of VSSC on or before September 26.

The envelope should be superscribed WSW-2014 Essay Competition’.

The best essay will win the GSLV gold medal.

During the week, resource persons from VSSC will visit educational institutions in Kerala to organize lecture Programmes at high schools, higher secondary schools, teachers’ training institutions and polytechnics.

Interested institutions can register online on or before September 19.

A ‘Space Quiz’ will be conducted for school students on October 4. Students of class 9 to 12 can register on or before September 24 at wswquiz@vssc.gov.in or by post. Applications shall be certified by the head of educational institution. Only one team consisting of two students from each school can participate.

Following that, an open house will be organised at VSSC space museum, which will be open to public from October 7 to 10 from 9 am to 5 pm. On production of any photo ID card, free entry passes will be issued at the Canal Gate of VSSC upon arrival.

Further information can be had on the web portal http://wsw.vssc.gov.in.

The postal address for registration is WSW-2014 office, TDAD, VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram? 695 022, Phone: 0471-2564271/4272.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / September 11th, 2014