Maharashtra is set to launch an ambitious plan to send 51 students to NASA in the United States each year, said Minister of State for School Education Pankaj Bhoyar. The initiative aims to inspire future innovators and boost interest in science and technology among school students.
Under the ‘Chief Minister Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari’ plan, students will compete in science project competitions at the tehsil, district, and state levels. The top 21 initiatives at the tehsil level will receive visits to science centres within their divisions. The top 51 district-level projects will be awarded a tour of the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru. Finally, 51 state winners will be chosen for the prestigious NASA visit.
Bhoyar emphasised that this program is intended to acknowledge not only the winners, but also the significant efforts of participating students. “Many students create innovative projects but don’t win top prizes. This initiative ensures that their efforts are properly recognised,” he stated.
According to a senior School Education Department official, funds for tehsil and district tours would be provided by the District Planning and Development Council. The NASA expedition, estimated to cost roughly ₹3 crore annually, is pending final sanction from the state government.
