IIA hosts around 500 government school students at Kavalur for the IISF 2026 Curtain Raiser
The Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) hosted a large-scale student outreach programme on November 24, 2025 as a Curtain Raiser event for the upcoming India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026. The Observatory welcomed nearly 500 students and 50 teachers from around 190 different Government Schools in Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, supported under Samagra Shiksha as a part of the RAA – Exposure Visit 2025–26 initiative. This visit, with an aim to provide real-world scientific exposure to schoolchildren, was aligned with the national outreach activities leading up to the IISF 2025.
IISF 2025 will be held during 6-9 December 2025 at Panchkula, Haryana, and is open to everyone to participate. The mission of IISF 2025, “Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (“Development through Science: for a self-reliant India), celebrates and advances the spirit of science-led growth for a self-reliant and prosperous India. Rooted in the vision of “Innovation. Aatmanirbharta. India for Global Good” IISF 2025 aims to bring together scientists, innovators, educators, students, industry leaders, science communicators, and policymakers on one platform to promote collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange through exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and outreach programs during the four day event.
In addition, a “Nationwide Innovation Challenge” was launched ahead of IISF 2025, and participants are invited from across India, including students, startups, researchers, farmers, creators and citizens, to submit one innovation in AI, Quantum, Space, Biotechnology, Climate Tech, Healthcare, Agriculture, Education or any emerging field, provided it has the potential to improve the lives of at least 1,000 people. Submissions can be made on the MyGov platform.
“In this novel large scale outreach event at our iconic observatory, around 500 students were exposed to astronomy in an engaging way by our staff. They saw the 2.3-m Vainu Bappu Telescope in action and learnt about its history and its unique role in shaping Indian astronomy. Short videos on the achievements of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, including the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle and our efforts to preserve its dark skies leveraging astro-tourism, and the 125 years of operation of the renowned Kodaikanal Solar Observatory were also displayed”, explained Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA. T students were further treated to experiments using liquid nitrogen, rocket launches, and astronomy demonstrations in batches.
The students and teachers were informed about the India International Science Festival, its various themes and programs, and the Innovation Challenge, and were encouraged to participate in the Festival for promoting scientific temper, curiosity, and interest in STEM.
“We are proud to host such a large number of students from our neighbourhood, and showcase the Vainu Bappu Observatory as well as inculcate an interest in astronomy in these young minds”, added Prof. Subramaniam, as the events of the day came to a close and the students went back home with a renewed interest in science and technology, inspired by a world class laboratory in their backyard.
