Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Pune ZP Students Embark on NASA and US Tour
Imagine a group of 25 kids from schools in Pune, India, getting ready for a super exciting trip!
Many of them come from families who don't have a lot, and some have never even been on an airplane before.
But now, they're flying all the way to the United States for 10 whole days!
They'll get to see where real astronauts train at NASA and explore amazing museums with cool planes and rockets.
They'll also visit big technology companies and meet important people.
This trip is a chance for these bright students to learn a lot and see things they only dreamed about.
Their families are so proud and happy for them, knowing this is a very special adventure.
25 students from Pune Zila Parishad schools are on a 10-day tour to the United States.
The tour includes visits to NASA centers, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, and major technology companies in San Francisco.
The students primarily come from underprivileged backgrounds, with some never having traveled by flight before.
The selection process involved over 13,000 students and a rigorous three-stage evaluation, with IUCAA playing a key role.
The trip aims to provide educational and inspirational experiences, with previous student tours including visits to ISRO and government institutions.
- Who
- 25 students from Pune Zila Parishad schools
- What
- Embarking on a 10-day tour to the United States, including visits to NASA centers, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, and technology companies.
- When
- Departing early Saturday morning, with a flag-off ceremony held on Friday.
- Where
- From Pune, departing from Mumbai, with destinations including NASA centers, Washington D.C., and San Francisco in the USA.
- Why
- To provide an educational and inspirational experience, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds, exposing them to space science and technology.
Students' Perspective
Family's Perspective
Excitement for the Opportunity
Students' Perspective
Students are thrilled and smiling widely about the unprecedented opportunity to visit NASA and explore major US technology companies.
Family's Perspective
Families are immensely proud and happy for their children's achievements, seeing this as a significant step beyond their usual circumstances.
Overcoming Background Challenges
Students' Perspective
Some students come from underprivileged backgrounds, facing challenges like lack of computers or smartphones, yet succeeded in selection.
Family's Perspective
Parents express disbelief and joy at their children's selection, acknowledging that teachers often initiated the application process due to their limited awareness of such opportunities.
- Number of Students
- 25
- Destination
- United States (NASA centers, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, technology companies)
- Tour Duration
- 10 days
- Origin of Students
- Pune Zila Parishad schools (mostly underprivileged backgrounds)
- Departure
- Mumbai (early Saturday morning)
- Selection Process
- Rigorous three-stage evaluation from over 13,000 initial test participants
- Collaborator
- IUCAA (involved in selection framework, assessments, and orientation)
- San Francisco Support
- Jnana Prabodhini Foundation, California