Kathmandu, April 7

Kathmandu-based Kanjirowa National Secondary School today announced that it was all set to send an artwork by one of its students to the moon.

According to Kapil Dev Regmi, chairman of the school, the artefact will be taken to the surface of the moon by Astrobotic Technologies’ Peregrine lander, flown aboard United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket, both American companies, in the year 2020.  “The art represents Nepal’s unique identity which is very symbolic and it represents Nepal,” he said.

Regmi said that replica of the artwork was also handed over to the US Embassy by Kanjirowa students during a programme organised on Karkhana premises, Gyaneshwar.

Earlier, the same was handed over to Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel during a programme t Singh Durbar, he added.

Public Affairs Officer Tristram Perry received it on behalf of the US Embassy in Nepal. He applauded Kanjirowa’s tireless effort and contribution to STEM education and appreciated the support of Kronmiller family in this regard.

Regmi shared that Kanjirowa was very proud to send Nepal’s first ever object to the moon. The artwork was designed by Kanjirowa student Bipina Sharma, he added. “I am sure it is an achievement and will be a time to remember in future,” he added. He further expressed his strong interest to work together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the US Embassy or STEM project collaboration. During the programme, a model of the Atlas V rocket was also exhibited.

STEM education was introduced in Kanjirowa with the initiation of Michael Kronmiller, joined by his father, former US ambassador Theodore Kronmiller, and it has been the first school in Nepal to introduce this high-technology-oriented curriculum.

Kronmiller expressed his belief that the US government could contribute more to Nepal as the Government of Nepal had taken STEM education positively.