In a far-sighted move to groom space scientists, a mini-satellite payload of 2kg was launched at a height of over 34,000 feet by a high-altitude helium balloon to study the rising pollution levels in the troposphere above Coimbatore.
The experimental payload was designed and built jointly by 55 students of Class 6–8 from 11 government schools in the city. They were mentored by project partners and resource persons from Open Space Foundation (OSF), the astronomy educator, through a series of workshops, says Vidya Natarajan, president-cum-project chair, Rotary E-Club of Metro Dynamix, RID 3206.
The payload was launched under Project Uyarvu (progress), a logical extension of this E-club’s two-year-old Project Vinveli’s telescope construction and educational workshops to study distant stars. This is a first-of-a-kind project meant to evoke interest in astronomy among students of government schools, she says. Astronomy events with a well-structured module were conducted by OSF resource persons at 40 government schools that saw around 1,600 students being trained in constructing telescopes for stargazing, which piqued their curiosity in space-related matters. Students were taught the fundamentals of astrophysics, space science, with an experiential learning on the galaxies that dot the universe, and the brilliant among them were enrolled in ISRO competitions.
A few students sponsored by the club went on to discover new comets and asteroids in the space contests, and “ISRO is in the process of naming these celestial bodies after these aspiring space scientists from government schools,” says Vidya. Now, under Project Uyarvu, 330 students will analyse the data transmitted by the mini-satellite through readings that will record the aerosol levels in the upper reaches of atmosphere. “Through Vinveli workshops, we’ve reached over 4,000 students who interact with those trained by us. They also use telescopes installed at their school labs.”
As the first E-club in the then RID 3201 (now RID 3206 comprising Coimbatore and nearby areas), the charter members were Annets from RC Coimbatore Metropolis. “We represent third-generation Rotarians spread across the world — mostly in major cities of the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Mumbai, and of course, our birthplace Coimbatore,” she says. With the help of interactive smart boards donated to seven corporation schools, eight online sessions were conducted for 350 students who were introduced to global topics ranging from lifestyle, culture, nature and wildlife to travel and leisure, apart from mentoring them on career choices for their professional growth. Named Community of Practice, the virtual sessions are anchored by “domain experts including Rotarians from other clubs who have specialised knowledge in a subject or a niche field like human resource, higher education and financial planning.”
Recently, the club donated occupational therapy equipment worth ₹1 lakh to the Sowkhya Pain Rehabilitation Clinic being run by the Swarga Foundation. The equipment donated under Project Spark is for creating a sensory zone for treatment of children suffering from autism, cerebral palsy and other cognitive disabilities. The project was funded by private donors and sponsors, says M Sethuraman, club treasurer.
Juvenile diabetes
In November, the club’s prestigious Kid-a-thon, a four-year-old walkathon for children up to age 15 will be flagged off, to create public awareness on juvenile diabetes.
Over the last three years, “we have attracted around 1,250 participants in each Kid-a-thon, but this year (Nov 15), we expect more than 2,000 children to take part in Coimbatore,” he explains. The earlier walkathons have raised funds to donate insulin pumps and other consumables to the Idhayangal Charitable Trust for treating diabetic children. “Over the years we would have donated equipment and medical accessories worth ₹2 crore, mobilised through Kid-a-thon and other fundraisers supported by CSR funds and philanthropists,” says Vidya. “We have sponsored a Centre of Excellence at the Government Medical College, Chidambaram, which is treating over 100 children with type 1 diabetes through immediate care and monthly supply of medicines.”
During Covid times, 250 global volunteers hosted one-hour online sessions (Project Bring a Smile) for children impacted by the pandemic — some had lost their parents or were isolated staying indoors for an extended period. “More than 100 children were engaged in activities by our guest volunteers and members who kept their mental wellness as a top priority,” she recalls.
A global presence
The 33 members of Metro Dynamix, spread across the world, are not restrained by geography in reaching out to distressed communities. “We give back to the country we presently reside in by joining hands with local clubs, like I do in Toronto, and also reach out to beneficiaries in Coimbatore, where we had our schooling and still have family roots,” she explains. Their field events and programmes benefit mostly school students with focus on healthcare, primary education and humanitarian issues.
Just a few months back, their Annets in Mumbai, Coimbatore, North Carolina and Florida distributed sparsely used clothes to orphanages and special homes on the same day. Stationery and other school essentials worth ₹18,000 were donated to eight Bala Shanti Kendras (primary schools) being run by Shanti Ashram for children from low-income families in Coimbatore, explains Vidya. On an average, the club does at least 20 service projects worth ₹40 lakh each year across the world, “most of our activities funded by donors, sponsors and CSR grants.”
Since inception in Nov 2020 during the Covid pandemic, “we have come a long-way in terms of service impact and reach. We are now a 100 per cent TRF-giving club, and from the last two years, all our members donate to Polio Fund too, each one contributing minimum $30 a year.” The club has 18 Paul Harris Fellows, one Major Donor, and their cumulative TRF-giving stands at $23,600.
This statement from S Chitra, a teacher at the Corporation Middle School, Thudiyalur, sums up the ‘monumental Rotary impact’ on young minds: “Through hands-on telescope construction in Project Vinveli and interactive astronomy sessions, students gained practical skills and a passion for stargazing… now with upcoming CubeSat launch, our young learners are exposed to aerospace engineering, turning curiosity into achievable dream missions.”