{
  "id": 2598040,
  "title": "From rural classroom to the stars: How government teacher from Rajasthan is helping students hunt asteroids",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/from-rural-classroom-to-the-stars-how-government-teacher-from",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-22T15:31:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - India",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-india",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/national-teachers-award-divyendu-sen-rajasthan-jhalawar-nasa-asteroids-10845234/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nDespite 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.\n\nSen 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.\n\nHis 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.\n\nHowever, 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.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Divyendu Sen, biology teacher, emphasizes curiosity over academic scores in rural Rajasthan school.",
    "Students, despite limited resources, identify 12 asteroid candidates, four provisionally discovered.",
    "Sen receives National Teachers Award, validating belief in learning potential beyond location."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "From rural classroom to the stars: How government teacher from Rajasthan is helping students hunt asteroids",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/from-rural-classroom-to-the-stars-how-government-teacher-from-2603577",
        "published": "2026-08-22T15:31:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Village students shifted to vacant house after attack on CJP activists in Rajasthan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/village-students-shifted-to-vacant-house-after-attack-on-cjp",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:34:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}