From rural classroom to the stars: How government teacher from Rajasthan is helping students hunt asteroids

Divyendu Sen, a biology teacher at the Mahatma Gandhi Government School in Jhalawar district’s Pachpahar, Rajasthan, has made significant contributions to astronomy and education. Over the course of his 14-year career, he has emphasized the importance of curiosity over academic scores, believing that it was this mindset that helped his students identify asteroids through a NASA-supported citizen space campaign.

Despite the limitations faced by students in rural areas, such as lack of access to computers and reliable internet, Sen's students managed to identify 12 asteroid candidates – four of which have been provisionally discovered. One of the asteroids they are planning to name in memory of seven children who lost their lives in a school collapse in Jhalawar last year.

Sen is one of 48 educators who received the National Teachers Award, India's highest honor for school educators. This prestigious recognition further validates his conviction that academic success is not determined by one's geographical location, but by a student's eagerness to learn.

His dedication extends beyond astronomy; Sen has introduced technology-driven initiatives in his schools, such as converting educational content into audio format using student voices and serving as a district coordinator for the National Children's Science Congress. He also encourages students to participate in science competitions and talent-search programs, with many of them reaching the state level in Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, India's largest science talent-search examination.

However, Sen has faced challenges in promoting these initiatives. The most significant hurdle was convincing others of their importance. Sen had to demonstrate how these programs could foster computer skills, develop a scientific temperament, and contribute to the long-term growth of students, even if the immediate impact was not apparent.