In the serene town of Theni, in Tamil Nadu, a young Surender Ponnalagar embarked on a daily 10-km journey to school from the distant Lower Camp.
However, one ordinary day took a remarkable turn when he was introduced to a piece of equipment that would alter the trajectory of his life — a telescope that captured the imagination of the 11th-grade student, sparking his curiosity.
Fast forward over a decade, and Surender has become a resident astronomer at Al Sadeem Astronomy in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Reflecting on his journey, he recalls, “As a student, my first encounter with a telescope and my subsequent journey into the field of Physics led me to contemplate how early exposure to the wonders of science could have expanded my horizons and enriched my life experiences.”
Surender’s ambition was to provide what he missed in his early education to students who shared his passion for science and space.
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Kindred spirits
Fortunately, during his journey, he crossed paths with like-minded individuals who shared not only his passion but a determination to make a change.
This unity eventually led to the establishment of the Open Space Foundation (OSF), a collective effort to inspire and educate young minds in the realms of science and space.
Recalling those early days, Surender remarks, “We all came together during our formative college years, driven by passion. We wanted to create a world where scientific temper was an integral part of people’s lives. I remember us managing expenses – of travelling to remote schools and teaching students by pooling our pocket money together.”
The primary mission was to extend science education to government and government-aided schools, particularly in rural areas. (Supplied)
These like-minded individuals included Anupama Pradeepan, who currently serves as a project manager at the Leadership Development Initiative, IIT Gandhinagar; Bharathkumar Velusamy, the Head of Research and Development at Open Space Foundation; and Dineshkumar P, a researcher at the National Sun Yet-Sen University, Taiwan.
The concept for the Foundation sprouted in 2013, and it acquired its official organisational framework upon registration in 2018.
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A curriculum for change
“What occurred to us was the realisation of the immense potential in science and technology for personal growth and career development, yet these opportunities were largely absent from the school-level curriculum,” he shares.
The primary mission of the Open Space Foundation was to bridge this gap by extending science education to government and aided schools, particularly in rural areas.
Their impact has reached over 10,000 students, spanning the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. (Supplied)
Sustaining an idea over ten years is no easy feat. While their journey has been filled with numerous challenges, some key streams have defined their path, it seems.
First and foremost, understanding the needs and interests of students has been crucial, says Surender.
“We’ve learned that it’s not just about presenting information but tailoring it to match students’ curiosity and requirements,” he shares. Anupama’s expertise in curriculum development has played a vital role too.
“She has been instrumental in creating a curriculum that aligns with the specific needs and interests of the students, making science education more engaging and relevant,” he explains.
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Endless learning
Each meeting, interaction, and educational programme has brought forth new insights and challenges.
“Adapting to changing questions from students, resources, and the evolving landscape of education has been a constant learning process. It’s truly endless,” he says.
The management of human resources is another challenge they’ve encountered.
The most intriguing insights have often emerged from the students themselves. (Supplied)
“As the organisation grew and requests started pouring in, the complexity of deploying resources efficiently became evident. We learned that balancing human resources is essential, and have been working to address this challenge effectively,” he says.
For the current seven-member team at OSF, over the past decade, each day has been a teacher, imparting invaluable lessons.
“Despite the challenges, our commitment to making the wonders of space accessible to all continues to drive us forward,” shares Surender, encapsulating their mission.
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Unlocking curiosity
However, the most intriguing insights have often emerged from the students themselves, he observes.
“Their inquiries are remarkably inquisitive, sometimes leaving us grappling for answers,” he chuckles.
For example, he fondly recalls OSF’s initial visit to a school nearly a decade ago in Sukkampatti village, Tiruchy.
“It was a place where only three buses ventured daily. The school’s teacher, Pankajam, was enthusiastic about introducing her students to the world of space, so OSF decided to make the journey,” he recalls.
When the OSF team revealed the telescope to the students, their curiosity overflowed. (Supplied)
When the OSF team revealed the telescope to the students, their curiosity overflowed. They asked if they could touch it and posed a multitude of questions.
Using the Stellarium Astronomy Software, a software tool, OSF educators explained the positions of celestial objects. Among the inquiries, one stood out: “Can we eat during a solar eclipse?”
This seemingly simple query concealed a cultural and social context. In some homes, eating during a solar eclipse was discouraged.
“OSF had to provide a scientific explanation, emphasising that a solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon and consuming food during it carries no inherent risk,” he says.
“Another interesting encounter we had was when we introduced students to Saturn. Some children were hesitant and even refused to approach the telescope to see it. Cultural beliefs can strongly influence these reactions, and particular cultural beliefs affect how celestial phenomena are perceived,” he explains.
A group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for science and a determination to make a change. (Supplied)
However, what he most fondly remembers is the first time the children laid their eyes on the moon.
“Their sense of wonder was truly captivating. The moon’s appearance made their eyes twinkle and widen with amazement,” he enthuses.
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Powering through power dynamics
With each experience being a unique adventure, OSF has been making its way to hundreds of schools each year. Their impact has reached over 10,000 students, spanning the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
“We are also officially recognised as a Space Tutor by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),” he adds.
However, like many initiatives, the Foundation’s tireless efforts came to a temporary halt during the COVID-19-induced pandemic.
OSF is officially recognised as a Space Tutor by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). (Supplied)
“But, over the past two years, we’ve made significant progress. This academic year, in particular, we’ve successfully engaged with numerous schools,” he shares.
Yet, visiting schools wasn’t always smooth sailing. Negotiating power dynamics within schools could be quite a challenge, he notes.
“There were often conflicting interests among teachers and school administrators. Some teachers were enthusiastic, while headmasters were less so, or vice versa. Students were caught in the middle, making it essential for us to understand their needs,” he shares.
At the outset, they conducted one or two-day programmes, which, while not creating a profound impact, certainly sparked curiosity among students.
However, a shift occurred when the Foundation began collaborating with teachers. The key to their success, Surender says, was understanding what the students truly yearned for.
“We also understood that, regardless of familiarity with a place, gaining a deep understanding of the local dynamics was essential to make a lasting impact,” he explains.
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From telescopes to asteroids
From Namma Telescope to the Asteroid Search Campaign, VISTA, Democrazily Science, and the formation of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEM) Teachers Network, Open Science Centres to their recent jewel in the crown, the Luna Camp, the Open Space Foundation (OSF) has curated a bouquet of unique initiatives.
And these initiatives have had one vibrant message – The sky is for all.
“Through the Namma Telescope initiative, we wanted to equip every school in Tamil Nadu with a functional telescope. This academic year, over 25 schools in Tamil Nadu have been equipped with telescopes,” he shares about the pioneering initiative.
Through the Namma Telescope initiative, the Foundation aims to equip every school in Tamil Nadu with a functional telescope, making it the first state in India to achieve such a milestone. (Supplied)
In the Asteroid Search Campaign, the students’ contributions materialise in the real world.
“Real-time engagement is the key – the moment students realise this is more than a pastime, it’s where the magic happens,” shares Surender.
Their mission leads them to the domain of asteroid search.
Collaborating with the likes of the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) and Hawaii Observatory, they work hand in hand with NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey.
Why? Because roughly 90 per cent of potentially hazardous asteroids remain undiscovered.
“That’s a significant threat we aim to address through citizen science,” he says.
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Science for the greater good
Each year around 20 teams engage in legitimate scientific research, analyzing real-time images from Hawaii. There is software to process data, identifying asteroid-like objects.
“Each discovery undergoes rigorous evaluation. Not every object is an asteroid, but these true discoveries are reported to the scientific community for evaluation,” he explains.
The Open Science Foundation will be playing host to Luna Camp in November 2023. (Supplied)
The beauty of it all? If it’s confirmed to be an asteroid, it can be named by the team that discovered it. This process may take some time, but it’s an incredible opportunity.
“In the grand scheme of things, students are part of a global effort, contributing not only to science but also to global safety. Asteroids are more than just heavenly bodies; they can be potentially deadly objects. By involving students, we’re not just teaching them about science but showing them how science can be applied for the greater good,” he shares.
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A lunar Odyssey awaits
Looking ahead, the Open Science Foundation will be playing host to Luna Camp in November 2023, a state-level camp that promises to be an extraordinary opportunity for students to dive into the realm of lunar exploration.
The event will feature lectures by experts and scientists and hands-on workshops. “The participants will also receive their own refractor telescope kit and will actively participate in a dedicated training session to assemble the telescope,” he shares.
There are plans to introduce a programme that enhances students’ writing skills. (Supplied)
There are plans to introduce a programme that enhances students’ writing skills. Teachers and enthusiastic students will be guided on the art of science writing, and their work will be published on an in-house blog – Tamil Science Wire.
“Over the last decade, our progress has primarily depended on crowd-sourcing and the support of private organisations and patrons. Even with some OSF team members working remotely, we have successfully mobilised and executed our initiatives. At the end of the day, intentions are essential to provide wings, and we are committed to ensuring these students soar,” he signs off.
These initiatives have brought young minds closer to the realisation that perhaps, the sky is not the limit but a limitless canvas waiting to be explored.
To know more, visit Instagram @open_space_foundation To support the initiatives, call +91 8754778345 contact@openspacefoundation.in
