Launch cannot be used in this sense. Maybe using the verb ''guide'' could be a better option.

I think it can be used and will be understood but its a little extreme or definite when you're talking about simply encouraging children on a potential future path. It is probably used in this context more successfully to describe something that has happened in the past where the outcome is known. So for example you could say, the initial success launched her career, which suggests she has had a very successful career. If you think about launching a rocket it's something powerful and explosive so to use the comparison the outcome of the sentence needs to be known to be powerful

I think you can use set not launch

Hi, No, this doesn't make sense. Here the word lanuch would act as a "verb" with the meaning of "sending". Therefore, I suggest using other verbs like "move", "set", "push", "guide", and even "steer".

I would say "set children on a scientific path" .