Rover Angels: Inspiring Young Minds in STEM
At ATLAS SkillTech University, we believe in empowering young minds to dream beyond boundaries. Our recent initiative, Rover Angels, conducted by Team Mushak, the only Indian team in NASA HERC’s RC Category, was a testament to this vision. Through this initiative, we welcomed young girls from Seva Sadan NGO (aged 8 to 18) and introduced them to the fascinating world of STEM, rovers and space exploration.
A Mission to Inspire
The primary goal of Rover Angels was to ignite curiosity, break gender stereotypes and encourage young girls to explore STEM careers. By simplifying complex scientific concepts and providing hands-on experiences, the event made STEM accessible and exciting. As the only Indian team in NASA HERC’s RC Category, Team Mushak served as an inspiration, sharing their journey and achievements on a global platform.
A Day of Learning and Discovery
The event kicked off with a campus tour, where participants had the opportunity to interact with Chancellor Indu Shahani and experience the vibrant learning environment at ATLAS SkillTech University. The excitement continued with an engaging STEM session, featuring:
- Live Demonstration of an Arduino-Powered Rover: Team Mushak showcased how rovers navigate extraterrestrial terrains, sharing insights from their experience as competitors in NASA HERC’s RC Category.
- Power Systems and Communication: The girls learned about the challenges of solar power generation in space and delayed signal transmission, gaining an understanding of real-world space exploration hurdles.
- Sensors and Navigation: Through discussions on LiDAR and camera-based navigation, participants explored the cutting-edge technologies used in autonomous rovers.
- Hands-on Design Experience: Using Tinkercad and Fusion 360, the girls digitally prototyped rover components, mirroring the real-world engineering practices employed by Team Mushak.
- Tangram Activity: A fun, interactive exercise that introduced the basics of design-thinking by breaking down complex rover structures into simple shapes.
Impact and Inspiration
The enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by the participants proved the transformative power of STEM education. Many expressed newfound aspirations to become astronauts, engineers and scientists, inspired by real-life stories of perseverance and innovation. Seeing Team Mushak represent India on an international stage gave them the confidence to dream big and challenge societal barriers.
Looking Ahead
Encouraged by the success of Rover Angels, ATLAS and Team Mushak plan to expand their outreach, organising more STEM engagement activities for schools and communities. By fostering curiosity and providing hands-on learning experiences, we aim to nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers.
At ATLAS SkillTech University, we don’t just educate. We inspire, empower and innovate. The sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning here at ATLAS!
