Eight Bengaluru-based students attended a unique leadership programme at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville.

They are among 23 students selected from across India. The group joined 325 students from 35 countries to participate in the core STEM capability development activities, including simulated astronaut training and shuttle missions, moonwalking, and working as a team to design, build and test their own rockets, among others.

The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy program offers interactive technology, science-oriented workshops and team exercises to instil leadership skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education among students aged between 16 and 18.

Mrudang Patel, a student of the Narayana PU College and on of the participants, said, “At the academy, I trained like an astronaut, and confidently operated shuttle missions and rocket launch simulators — things that I have never done before. During an aviation simulation challenge, I flew a airplane that had a joystick working as a throttle. It was a life-changing experience. Now, science is more than a subject. It is my passion.”

The students were excited to make friends from across the world and also showcased their talents as a part of the cultural event organised during the programme.

"We also got to learn the traditional Australian dance and culture, which was an exhilarating experience," said Karthika Thanigainathan, a student of the Chaitanya Techno PU College.

"The highlight was experiencing zero gravity," said Thanmay Sharma, a student of the BGS National Public School.