In a striking display of ingenuity and teamwork, two students from Jampeling Central School in Trashigang emerged victorious at this year’s National Space Challenge. The week-long competition, which commenced on February 17, saw young innovators converge at Jakar Higher Secondary School in Bumthang to showcase their creative prowess in rocket science.
The winning team, comprised of Sahil Sapkota Chettri—a diligent Class X student—and his Class IX partner, stunned the judges with their resourceful design of four hydro rockets. Demonstrating that high-tech ideas can come from humble beginnings, the duo ingeniously repurposed everyday items such as 1.25-litre Coke bottles, chart paper, recycled paperboard, and adhesive tape to construct their rockets.
The challenge, renowned for pushing the boundaries of student creativity and technical skills, provided a dynamic platform for participants from across the nation to experiment with physics and engineering. For these Trashigang students, the competition was not only a contest of technical competence but also a celebration of sustainable innovation, transforming commonplace materials into objects capable of achieving the remarkable feat of propulsion.
Local educators and community leaders have lauded the young winners’ achievement, emphasizing that such successes serve as an inspiration for aspiring scientists and engineers. “Their project is a perfect example of how creative thinking and resourcefulness can drive scientific discovery, regardless of limited resources,” noted one school official.
As the nation celebrates this remarkable achievement, the success story of these two students underscores the exciting future of Nepal’s youth in the field of space and technology. Their inventive approach and steadfast determination are expected to pave the way for further explorations in science, encouraging a new generation to look skyward and imagine the possibilities beyond our world.
