With the frequency of space exploration missions increasing during the past decade, and in particular ever since India-born NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla (1962-2003) achieved global fame and recognition for her work aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, there’s been growing interest within the Indian student community about the mysteries of the galactic world. This has stimulated the growth of educational tours to the epicenter of global space exploration and research — the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
One such edu-tourism entrepreneur is Supriya Kandhari, founder and managing director of Bangalore-based Chrysalis Holidays (estb. 2008). A seasoned travel industry professional with over 20 years of experience as manager of the well-known Mumbai-based tourism firm Raj Travels, Kandhari customised a first-of-its-kind tour to NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, USA in 2005 for 60 students of the Delhi Public School, Bangalore. Since then she has conducted six NASA student tours for 150 students.
“The two-week NASA tour is a learning-by-doing experience for students fascinated with the mysteries of the galaxy and outer space. It provides them a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the process of space exploration and astronaut training. Other activities include robotics, star gazing, and zero gravity training in a simulated space station,” says Kandhari.
According to her, NASA Space Camp personnel are particularly enthused about welcoming students from India. “NASA staff appreciate the interest, enthusiasm and passion Indian students exhibit during training camps. Our last batch, nicknamed Team Von Braun, was voted Best Student Team by NASA. Moreover safety is a top priority and every student group is accompanied by well-trained adults,” says Kandhari, a commerce grad-uate of Bangalore University who pressed on to pursue a postgrad travel and tourism degree from Mount Carmel College, and signed up for International Air Transport Association training. After working with Raj Travels for 20 years (1987-2007), Kandhari promoted Chrysalis Holidays in January 2008.
The average price of the two week trip is Rs.2.2 lakh including travel, accommo-dation and visas. Three groups of students from Delhi Public School, KLE International and Athena Public School (all in Bangalore) have already signed up for the Chrysalis-NASA tour of May 2010. “Education beyond textbooks and exams through educational tours are a great way of helping students to understand concepts learnt in the classroom and libraries. Travel is an exciting way of doing that,” says Kandhari.
Way to go!
David Wightman (Bangalore)