Kriti Social Initiatives is an NGO working with the Urban poor in the areas of women empowerment and children’s education since 2009. Project Disha supports educational scholarships for the underprivileged to ensure basic education for children. Kriti conducts regular mentoring sessions for students in 9th, 10thand 11th to motivate them to complete their education and aspire higher. As part of the sessions, Kriti takes to students to a field trip to enhance students’ academic and career awareness.
This year, on January 10, 2026, an educational visit was organized by the School of Physics at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). A total of 111 students from 29 schools participated in the program. The sessions were facilitated by faculty members and integrated master’s students of the department. Members of Zenith, the Astronomy Club of the university, had graciously agreed to host the students for an engaging session on astronomy, including a telescope viewing on the rooftop of the Physics Department.
The students provided highly positive feedback regarding the facilitators and the overall learning experience. Many students expressed excitement as it was their first exposure to a telescope, an instrument they had never seen before. Observing Jupiter through the telescope was a particularly memorable experience and generated great enthusiasm among the students.
Through interactive lectures and activities, students learned fundamental concepts such as effects of light, types of lenses, and our solar system. The quiz sessions were also well received, and students who won first and second prizes felt encouraged and proud to receive certificates from the University of Hyderabad.
Overall, the visit significantly increased students’ interest in science, and several participants expressed a desire to pursue science streams in the future. The students unanimously shared positive feedback and described the visit as inspiring and enriching.
We sincerely thank Prof. Ashok Vudayagiri, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, and to the members of Zenith Astronomy Club for their valuable support and for providing such an impactful learning experience to our students.
We are grateful to Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar, Prof Vinod Pavarala, SN School of Communication, Sri Ashish Jacob Thomas, Public Relations Officer and the entire administrative team who facilitated the event.