By: Express News ServicePune | October 7, 2025 04:29 PM IST 2 min readThe ISRO visit is scheduled until October 9, covering key scientific and research centres such as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), also known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).A group of 50 students from rural Zilla Parishad schools in Pune district embarked Tuesday on an educational study tour to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The tour is organised under the District Planning Fund exclusively for students of classes 6 and 7 from Zilla Parishad primary schools.Over 17,000 students had applied for the opportunity. Following three stages of selection tests, top-performing students were chosen for various educational tours.The most notable tour will be that of contingent of 25 members to Nasa in the US, with dates yet to be determined. In other such tours, 50 students will be taken to Delhi, and 10 others to Mumbai for similar educational exposure.Story continues below this adThe ISRO visit is scheduled until October 9, covering key scientific and research centres such as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), also known as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO headquarters, and other science and technology sites in Thiruvananthapuram.To guide and mentor the students during the tour, scientists from the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) are accompanying the group, providing valuable insights into space science and research.The group comprises 25 boys and 25 girls, accompanied by six teachers, two representatives from the tour agency, and officials from the Education Department, including Extension Officer Chandrakant Ugale and Deputy Education Officer Sunil Gache.For most of these students, the Pune–Thiruvananthapuram flight marks their first-ever air travel experience, adding immense excitement and pride to this educational journey.Story continues below this adThis innovative educational initiative has been conceptualised by Pune Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Gajanan Patil and Education Officer (Primary) Sanjay Naikde.Before departure, students were briefed at Pune Airport on flight safety, boarding procedures, and travel etiquette. Santosh Dhoke, the Airport Director, along with representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and IndiGo, were present to see off the young scientists.With this initiative, Pune Zilla Parishad aims to promote scientific curiosity and nurture young minds from rural areas, inspiring the next generation of innovators and researchers.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd