Ahmedabad’s 14-year-old Mahi Bhatt has achieved a rare feat by becoming the only student from Gujarat to qualify for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Junior Scientist Programme.
A Class 9 student of Sharadaba Education Campus in Vastral, Mahi cleared multiple prestigious exams conducted by NASA, ISRO (IIRS Outreach Program), Euro Space Academy, and UNO Space—all within a single year.
Inspired by astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, Mahi said, “My father used to bring me science books, which fueled my curiosity and love for the subject. I have always been passionate about science fairs, and several of my projects were selected at zonal and city levels.”
Coming from a middle-class family, Mahi credits her teachers and school principal for their constant guidance and encouragement.
Earlier this year, she and her teammate developed an innovative Hydroponics project using the Fountain Method at the AMC’s Maths and Science Exhibition. The model demonstrated how purified water could be reused efficiently, promoting sustainable agriculture. “This project boosted my confidence and inspired me to dream bigger in science,” Mahi said.
Dreams of studying Rocket Science
Sharing her aspirations, Mahi said, “India has achieved great success in space research. I want to study Rocket Science and contribute to this field. I used to study 8 to 10 hours a day to prepare for these exams, and I hope to guide and inspire other students to develop an interest in science too.”