PUNE: Recently, India’s Anti-Satellite Test have stirred discussion about the issue of space debris all over the world. Showing a unique sense of awareness and concerns, a few Pune-based students studying at a government school have developed a gaming app to spread awareness about the same. In this app, the players, are made aware of space debris and pollution, and how it affects us.

The students, who have developed the app, are a part of the programme run by the organisation ‘The Apprentice Project’ (TAP). At the TAP Summit, held on Sunday, around 100 children from 14 government schools and two private lower income group schools showcased their talents in the fields of electronics, programming, performance arts, sports, etc.

“In India, our education system is such that it rarely gives the children a choice to learn what they are passionate about. Under our programme ‘Learn what you love’ at TAP, we offer real-world exposure and project-based learning to the children, especially those at the government or the low-income schools,” said Anand Gopakumar of TAP. 

At TAP, the children are taught in four verticals, art, performing arts, technical arts and sports. Through these four verticals, the children are taught real-world skills, along with soft skills.

“Some of our students have created a device to help blind people navigate without using a stick. This device uses ultrasonic waves to help in navigation, and this is a lively functional project. Some other students have made a remote control car that can automatically move between obstacles. At the coding front, the students have designed several apps addressing various issues like parent-teacher communication, bullying, etc.,” Gopakumar added.

Apart from this, those taking training in performing arts also presented dance and drama on the topics of acid attack and rape culture, sex education in adolescents, etc.