An interactive session on the Moon at Nehru Planetarium for class 8

An enriching interactive session titled ‘The Moon: Our Celestial Neighbour’ took place at Nehru Planetarium on 8 February 2024, from 9 am to 11 am. This event aimed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the moon and its mysteries. The session unfolded at the Sky Theatre, captivating 23 students of class VIII, along with their accompanying teacher, Ms Sandhya Batheja.
Shri Rakesh Kumar Tripathi, Education Officer at the National Science Centre graced the event as Guest Speaker.

Mr Tripathi commenced the session by elucidating the moon's pivotal role as earth's only natural satellite for nearly five billion years. With the help of a compelling PowerPoint presentation, he delved into various aspects, addressing questions such as the formation of the moon, its topography, lunar phases, and the history of manned and unmanned missions to explore it. The audience was informed about exploration initiatives by countries like Russia, USA, China and India.

The speaker addressed myriad questions during the session, covering topics like the challenges of lunar exploration, the phenomenon of seeing only one face of the moon, the formation of lunar craters and more. The informative presentation provided the audience with a comprehensive overview of our celestial neighbour. The session concluded with a captivating 3D film show on explorations to the moon and India's Chandrayaan missions. The visual representation added a dynamic element to the learning experience, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

To enhance the engagement level, Mr Tripathi held .an interactive quiz, encouraging active participation from the students. Furthermore, a hands'-on project was assigned, requiring students to create a globe-shaped model of the moon using a moon map.

The session culminated with the students expressing their appreciatio for the opportunity to be a part of such an engaging learning experience. The interactive session proved to be an educational and entertaining event, providing students with valuable insights into the mysteries of the space.