KARACHI: It’s a call that few children could have found believable. Fatima Hussain, 15, felt the same when she received a call from Zehra Ali, an assistant manager at the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), who asked her to pack her bags for an international competition in Singapore.
Fatima was surprised to hear she been selected to participate at the International Water Rocket competition 2011. The contest was organised in Tampines, on December 3, in conjunction with the 18th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum.
Fatima ranked 15th among 60 participants from over 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, all aged between 12 and 16. The contest tasked students to launch two-litre soda bottle rockets twice from a 60-metre distance and land it within a specific area.
“Water rocket launching teaches students about the principles of aeronautics,” said Fatima. Water is shot backwards in these model rockets to propel them, as an alternative to the fuel in actual rockets.
Fatima had the experience of a local competition organised by Suparco during World Space Week 2010 under her belt. She was ranked third in the contest. “Based on her performance, Suparco selected her to represent Pakistan in an international competition,” said Ghulam Murtuza, Fatima’s Physics instructor.
Fatima had been informed of her selection a month before the competition and Suparco arranged training sessions for her. But there were still a few things lacking, which Fatima believed would have helped her compete better in Singapore. “For instance, I practiced on simple Japanese launchers while those in the competition were newfangled iPad-EEG based,” she said.
“I was scared at first and I had no idea what would happen since I didn’t have any experience with the new launchers,” she said. While Fatima is interested in dentistry, winning Suparco’s competition made her develop an interest in aeronautics. “I’m double-minded about what should I choose for a career,” she chuckled, adding that her parents encourage her to do what she identifies herself best with.
Dawood Public School principal Viqar Afza is proud of her student. “She was in grade 7 when I began to think that she has something extraordinary in her,” she said, recalling an article Fatima wrote about herself titled ‘Fatima Hussain: The science whiz in the block’. “I was wondering how a seventh-grader could write with such elaboration. I asked the teachers to verify if she wrote it by herself or copied it from somewhere,” she said. Fatima’s mother, an assistant professor at the Government College of Home Economics, also credits the school, which she says has served as a “confidence booster” for her daughters.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2011.
COMMENTS (26)
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@Fatima - sorry about my comment earlier. I didn't know that you will be reading these comments too. god bless u and wish u all the success in future.
Proud of you :) All the best in the future!!!:)
awww! thank you :D that really means a lot to me.. I just wish we had those launchers :'(
great job young lady we r proud,congrates to u your parents n teachers
:) :) :)
Thank you all, for your very encouraging comments =) and well, I would like to answer what happened to those who came first and second, well- both of them, were above 16 and I was 14 at that time, so basically they were over age...
@Ch Allah Daad: That is because, the one who came first as well as second were over 16, and I was 14... so basically, they were over the age limit
brilliant..... MA!
Its good that even in these conditions some national institutions are working good: Suparco is one the examples. Good example from suparco and excellent work from Fatima, another young star emerging, good going dear. Fantastic performance.
Thats my girl! :) I'm one of her proud teachers...Kudos Fatima!! :):)
Amazing Mashaa-Allah! =) Good job, Fatima! =) Congrats to you and Dawood Public School! =)
Passimists are always there
look what this person who cannot even give his identity wrote this
"""""“The contest tasked students to launch two-litre soda bottle rockets twice from a 60-metre distance and land it within a specific area”
Very appropriate career choice. Pakistani army might need expertise in similar kind of propulsion systems in the next 5-10 years when the country will go bankrupt and find it difficult to purchase rocket engines from its all weather friends."""""""
God Bless the girl and may she have the opportunity to polish her skills.
wow... how nice it feels.. that Suparco's Miss Zehra ali called Fatima.... feel like real merit..honesty...appreciation!
It really feel good..and congrats to little star Miss Fatima. Keep Rocking!!
Very appropriate career choice. Pakistani army might need expertise in similar kind of propulsion systems in the next 5-10 years when the country will go bankrupt and find it difficult to purchase rocket engines from its all weather friends.
@Omer:
You stole my words, I would also like to have that answer, what happened to the 1st and the 2nd runner up?
Anyway congratulation to you
Another Great Pakistani Young Girl...... Keep it up !
Wow, a real rocket scientist in Pakistan. Full of prayers for you young lady! :D
She came third in the local World Space Week contest. What about those who came 1st and 2nd? Were they also invited to the international event in Singapore?
Way to go Fatima!, All good luck!
Sitaron pey jo daaltey hain kamand. Good show Kid. Nice of SUPARCO to organise / follow-up on such stuff. Congrats ET for publishing this story.
Why the student who stood first in local competition was not sent abroad?
The nation is proud of you!
Anyone can be a dentist but it takes a special mind to be in space research. I would advise Fatima to follow the path less traveled in Pakistan. Congratulations on this acquirement!
Good job Kiddo and congratulations. You are the whiz kid on the block.
Kudos to the young girl for this achievement. We are certainly proud of her.