
Themes
Selection of a theme
-
During the registration, participants can indicate their theme preferences.
-
Based on it, a personalised program will be prepared for them.
Theme 1: Learning from the Past: Origins of Earth and Life
Learning Objectives:
-
Getting a sense of geological time, What can happen in a million years?
-
Tethys ocean, an ancient ocean between India and Asia.
-
Movement of continents and the significance of tectonic activity in the formation of the Himalayas.
-
Hot springs: An oasis for life to arise on Earth.
Things to observe:
-
Rocks and soil: Geomorphological features, stratigraphy, clay deposits, weathering, marine deposits.
-
Ice: glacial, permafrost, ice deposits.
-
Water: rivers, lakes, hot springs.
Theme 2: Observing the Present: Earth and Climate Change
Learning Objectives:
-
Measuring key climate change parameters using hand-held instruments.
-
Differentiate between weather and climate
-
Comparing current measurements with historical data.
-
Sense of appreciation for Ladakh as a climate change indicator.
Things to observe:
-
How did cloudbursts affect Ladakh?
-
Changing environment:
-
Shifts in flowering and harvest seasons.
-
Shifts in harvest belts from lower to higher elevations.
-
Melting of glaciers.
-
-
Societal impact: how has it affected the locals, what are their views?
Theme 3: Preparing for the Future: Mars Exploration
Learning Objectives:
-
The similarity between Ladakh and ancient Mars.
-
Observing life in Mars-like environments.
-
Testing technologies for Mars exploration.
Things to observe:
-
Observing ancient Mars analogue features
-
Glacial deposits
-
Alluvial fans and gullies
-
Salt lake and shorelines
-
-
Permafrost, thermokarst mounds, meltwater pools, clays
-
Hot spring vent fields