• 
• 

Published on September 10, 2007

"I am very proud that I gazed up at the stars through a telescope I made myself," said Benjaporn Satapat, a 16-year-old Grade 10 student at Sam Kok School.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency's Technology Management Centre (TMC) and Pathum Thani Educational Service Area 1 Office jointly held the camp between August 30 and September 1with 100 students from 20 local schools taking part. Divided into groups of five, the participants together created 20 telescopes, each costing Bt4,000.

TMC deputy director Sawat Tantiphanwadi said the telescopes that would be given to 20 schools.

"These telescopes can be used for educational purposes," he said.

"Science and technology are very important. They can be applied for use in various professions," said Jamroon Prom-suwan, director of the office.

A participant, Pongpan Kwamsuk, said he was glad to have the opportunity to join such a camp.

"It has taught me that I can do things too," said the 17-year-old from Pathumwilai School. "Although I am not a bright student, the telescope I've made is working fine".

Sawat said TMC would organise a similar camp in Lampang later this week.

"We plan to hold similar camps for many schools across the country so that children can have better access to science," he said.

 TMC is also planning to hold robot camps, solar-cell camps and more.

"We want to expand children's knowledge of the sciences. Our camps ensure that children will practice and have real experience. Our young participants may be able to invent innovations for commercial use in future," Sawat said.