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: sedimentation, 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