Indonesian schoolgirls inspect seeds from space mission

A number of Indonesian schoolgirls from 40 high schools throughout the archipelago took part in a research project involving seeds from a space mission.

The students’ research is part of the “L'Oreal Girls Science Camp (LGSC) 2012” program, a science competition devoted exclusively to high school girls in the 10th grade.

In this research project, the students were invited to observe the development of Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) seeds that had previously been taken into outer space by the space shuttle Discovery, kompas.com reported.

The seeds were in space for six months under the “Space Seeds for ASEAN Future” program sponsored by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Southeast Asian countries.

The program challenges students to note the differences between Garden Balsam seeds that have been brought to space and those that have not.

The each student’s method and analysis will be observed.

Currently, 15 teams have been selected as finalists.

They will present their research results at Rumah Jambuluwuk, Ciawi, on Wednesday.

“Science has become the basis of L’Oreal’s innovation throughout the whole world. We understand that science and research is an important basis for the development of a country,” Vismay Sharma, president director of L’Oreal Indonesia, said as quoted by kompas.com.

The LGSC 2012 project was held in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN). LAPAN provided the seeds that became the objects of research.

“Teenagers may have an interest in space, an interests that can be strengthened through the research of these seeds,” Clara Yono Yatini, head of the Centre of Space Science LAPAN, said as quoted by kompas.com.

“It if turns out that Earth is the only place that we can live in, then we must realize that we must preserve it,” she said. (dre/mtq)