Kanakia International School's team selected for NASA's HERC challenge

by Priya Jadhav

Mumbai 20 October, 2023: A team of 17 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students from Kanakia International School, Chembur, Mumbai, has been chosen to participate in NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) 2024. Under the mentorship of their advisor, Mr. Anuj Shah, these students are preparing to compete on the global stage in the field of space exploration.

The HERC competition is known for its focus on innovation, teamwork, and pushing the boundaries of human space exploration. In April 2024, a total of 72 teams from around the world will gather at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for a three-day competition. The 17 students from Kanakia International School, all in grade 11, are gearing up for this seven-month journey. The team members are Aarya Nakka, Uchit Turakhia, Divit Chauhan, Durva Popat, Mrunmayee Gore, Smera Balan, Rushan Shah, Ved Khemani, Naman Shah, Guru Jain, Prisha Shah, Seher Khan, Pratham Mehta, Aadhya Shetty, Ziya Sanghavi, Yashas Chattree, Ayush Soni, along with their mentor, Anuj Shah, Program Manager – STREAM, Kanakia International School (IB), Chembur, Mumbai.

Under Mr. Anuj Shah's guidance, the team has been meticulously preparing for the challenges of the HERC competition. Teams are required to design, build, and test human-powered rovers for navigating simulated extraterrestrial terrain.

This experience will provide both education and inspiration as the team immerses themselves in the environment of the Marshall Space Flight Center, collaborating with fellow space enthusiasts and professionals. Kanakia International School takes pride in its students' accomplishments and recognizes the importance of nurturing scientific curiosity and exploration. Initiatives like this not only contribute to students' academic growth but also cultivate a sense of wonder and a passion for pushing boundaries.

As the countdown to the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge begins, the Kanakia International School team is prepared to make history. The school community and well-wishers eagerly await the results of this journey, knowing that these young students are poised to leave a lasting mark on the field of human space exploration.

Anuj Shah, Program Manager- STREAM, Kanakia International School, (IB) said: "We are thrilled to have been chosen to participate in NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students. This opportunity not only enhances their technical skills but also teaches them the value of teamwork and innovation. We are excited to represent our school and country on the global stage of space exploration."

Shuchi Shukla, Principal, Kanakia International School (IB), Chembur, said: "At Kanakia International School, we place great importance on fostering curiosity and exploration among our students. We're immensely proud of our students who have been selected for the HERC challenge. This experience will not only be a significant milestone in their academic journey but also a source of inspiration for their peers. We eagerly await their success, knowing that they are on the path to making remarkable contributions to the field of space exploration."

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ABOUT KANAKIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHEMBUR (IB): Kanakia International School (IB) began in the year 2007 in Chembur with a simple and honest goal of providing the finest education to the young learners. Kanakia International School fosters an exquisite academic involvement by encouraging learners to take initiative and become creative thinkers. Spanning across Pre K-12 years, our schools are designed around each learner‛s abilities and primarily work towards building core academic and personal skills.

The success of Kanakia International School can be ascertained by the achievements of our students every academic year and the happiness of our parent‛s community.