KATHMANDU: Kathmandu-based Kanjirowa National Secondary School today announced that it is all set to send its student’s artwork to the Moon.

According to Kapil Dev Regmi the Chairman of the school, the artefact will be brought 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.”

Regmi said that replica of the artwork was also handed over to US Embassy by Kanjirowa students in a program organised on Karkhana premise, Gyaneshwar. Earlier, the same was handed over to the Minister for Education and Science & Technology Girirajmani Pokharel in a program conducted at Singh Durbar, he added.

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

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

It has been possible because of the untiring efforts of our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) collaborator, Michael Kronmiller, with the support of his family and a world class team of advisers, including American astronauts, according to Regmi.

STEM education was introduced at 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 US Government could contribute more to Nepal as the Nepali Government has taken STEM education positively.