Assam: Space Science Soars in Bodoland’s Schools with ISRO-Backed Labs
The programme, launched in July 2024 with the first space lab at Sidli-Kashikotra Higher Secondary School in Chirang district,...........
KOKRAJHAR – In a transformative leap for education in Northeast India, the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) has brought the wonders of space science into classrooms, equipping 15 government schools with cutting-edge space laboratories under the Bodoland Space Education Programme.
This pioneering initiative, backed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and championed by BTR Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, is igniting scientific curiosity among tribal students and bridging educational disparities in the region.
The programme, launched in July 2024 with the first space lab at Sidli-Kashikotra Higher Secondary School in Chirang district, has rapidly expanded to cover four districts—Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri.
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The latest addition, the Haladhar Ujir Memorial Space Laboratory at Tamulpur Higher Secondary School, was inaugurated on August 23, 2025, coinciding with National Space Day celebrations.
These labs, the first of their kind in Northeast India’s government schools, are equipped with optical telescopes for planetary observation, scaled models of PSLV/GSLV launchers, CanSat-style payload kits, and microcontroller-based experiments for learning sensors, propulsion, and telemetry.
Over 3,000 tribal students have already engaged in hands-on activities, building water-propelled rockets and presenting orbital concepts in Assamese, Bodo, and English.
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“Students who once lacked clear career goals now dream of becoming space scientists, discussing black holes and supernovas,” said a teacher of Sidli-Kashikotra Higher Secondary School.
The programme’s success is evident in its community engagement, with district-level events turning science into a spectacle of possibility, inspiring younger children and fostering local pride.
The initiative goes beyond equipment, investing heavily in teacher training. Expert-led workshops ensure educators can align experiments with the state syllabus, shifting from occasional science fairs to weekly lab work and night-sky observations.
Each lab is named after local educators or leaders, such as the Mathias Tudu Memorial Space Laboratory in Kokrajhar, honoring community contributions and embedding the labs in BTR’s cultural fabric.
Pramod Boro, the visionary behind the programme, emphasized its role in preparing students for India’s growing space sector. “We want our children to catch up with the rest of the world through scientific curiosity and innovation,” he said.
The labs align with ISRO’s capacity-building efforts, offering students exposure to emerging technologies and potential career paths in STEM fields.
The Bodoland Space Education Programme is part of BTR’s broader mission to address historical educational disparities through infrastructure upgrades, smart classrooms, and university expansion.
Academic observers highlight that space education nurtures creativity and problem-solving, positioning BTR students for opportunities in India’s space industry, projected to grow significantly by 2030.
As one education official noted, “Teenagers in Bijni or Sidli aligning telescopes and debugging microcontrollers is a bet on a brighter future for Bodoland.” With plans to expand the network further, the BTR is setting a national example, proving that even remote regions can reach for the stars.
