“Science fuels my passion to share the wonders of the universe,” says Ms Laura Rambaran-Seepersad, a senior administrative assistant in UWI St Augustine’s Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). “We are all a part of something bigger.”
That passion has enabled her to embark on an impressive international science project created to help young girls find their own love of science, technology and space. She has been appointed as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s ambassadors for a groundbreaking initiative created by Space Kidz India.
“I feel blessed to be given such an honour and opportunity to represent Trinidad and Tobago and share that opportunity with our young girls locally,” says Ms Rambaran-Seepersad.
Space Kidz India describes themselves as an “aerospace and defense organisation where we've been turning ideas into space adventures for over 14 years”. They say they are “the first globally to launch student-designed satellites in collaboration with leading space organisations like NASA and ESA”.
The specific project of Space Kidz India that Ms Rambaran-Seepersad and fellow representative, education and training consultant Ms Donna Scoon-Moses are working on is called Mission ShakthiSAT. Mission ShakthiSAT is supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and the UK-based Meridian Space Command. It seeks to redefine the future of space exploration.
“Ms Scoon-Moses and myself will be engaging 108 students from throughout Trinidad and Tobago and providing 150+ hours of free online STEM training over six months. At the end of this, one girl will be selected to accompany us to India where we will be joining with 107 girls and their ambassadors from 107 other countries to build, test and launch a satellite into lunar orbit.”
Together 12,000 girls from 108 different countries will take part.
The number 108 was chosen because the average distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the Sun's diameter. The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,800 miles, about 108 times the Moon’s diameter.
Ms Rambaran-Seepersad sees Mission ShakthiSAT as another impactful and educational project in her career as an advocate for STEM. Apart from her work at FST, she is the public relations officer for the UNESCO affiliated NGO CARISCIENCE, and one of the team members and organisers for the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad (TTChO).
“I’ve been involved in science and technology education, advocacy and promotion for over two decades globally, so this appointment was very much complementary,” she says.
She is also the President of Soroptimist International Chaguanas, part of a global volunteer group that focusses on transforming the lives of women and girls. She credits the example of her mother and grandmother for drive and dedication.
“These ladies have quietly and gracefully made me into the person I am today. They are encouraging and supportive, but also prodding where needed for me to stand up for myself,” she says. “I have always wanted to make them proud, and I hope I can.”
For more information on Space Kidz India and Mission ShaktiSAT, visit www.spacekidzindia.in.
