Educational Trip to ARIES - Grade 9

Shiv Nadar School's commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for our students is reflected in our Outbound Learning Engagements, which aim to align closely with our vision. Recently, a group of 60 enthusiastic Grade 9 students from Shiv Nadar School Faridabad embarked on an educational trip to the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) from March 5th to March 9th. The purpose of this visit was to introduce these young minds to the fascinating fields of Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics, inspiring them to explore and discover the wonders of the celestial world.

ARIES is a prestigious research institute located in Nainital, Kumaon, India, specializing in astronomy, solar physics, astrophysics, and atmospheric science. It operates as an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The educational trip proved to be a tremendously valuable and enriching experience for our students. They had the unique opportunity to observe sunspots through telescopes, explore the Atmospheric Lab, and learn about the various telescopes at ARIES, including the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope, 1.3m Devasthal Optical Telescope, 104 cm Sampurnanand Telescope, Solar Telescope, and the 4m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT).

Participating in the research activities in Atmospheric Sciences provided students with valuable insights into the interactions between natural and anthropogenic trace species and their impact on climate change. The visit to the Devasthal Observatory was a truly enlightening experience for the students, particularly the demonstration of the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope, which left a lasting impression.

Additionally, the students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity for star-gazing at ARIES, where they observed various star clusters, nebulae, and even the moons of Jupiter. In addition to these scientific experiences, the students also participated in various team activities organized by the Climb Up team, such as the Combustion projectile, Air Crash investigation, and Trash music, further enhancing their overall learning experience.