Stem India Foundation

May 3, 2024

Project Title: Robo Shiksha Kendra

Exact Location/Address: Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School, 87VW+7HR, Shiv mandir gali, near Mother Dairy, Sector 55, Faridabad, Haryana – 121004

Project Start Date: 1st Nov 2023

Brief report on progress to date: Lab has been set up; Awareness classes are going on and as per the school calendar regular classes will start from April onwards as currently annual exams are going on.

Achieved milestones: Lab has been set up

Number of beneficiaries impacted: 692 children

Detailed project description:

• Background & Objective
  To foster scientific curiosity and creativity, the benefactor will provide STEM tinkering labs and activities to select Government, Government-aided, and underprivileged schools. This includes establishing quality infrastructure, offering DIY platforms, training, and hands-on activities. The aim is to introduce students to STEM concepts, spark curiosity, and facilitate imagination through tailored curriculum and sessions. Additionally, the initiative seeks to enable effective uptake of technology-driven programs by students, teachers, and schools while ensuring predetermined outcomes are achieved within the allocated budget.
• Program Approach
  Establish one new STEM/Tinkering Center in selected schools, aligned with Atal Tinkering Labs, with schools meeting criteria undergoing shortlisting based on various factors. Assign an engineer-trainer to schools offline for student and teacher training, along with mentoring sessions. Conduct internal assessments to monitor project effectiveness, and integrate partner employee interventions and volunteering sessions. Engage students from grades VI to XII in three levels of increasing involvement, and involve science and computer teachers (if available) to build technology uptake capacity. Lastly, prepare students for participation in STEM and Tinkering competitions such as the World Robot Olympiad and Atal Tinkering Marathon.
• The key issues addressed by the proposed project are:
  Selected schools will offer early exposure to STEM skills and careers through the establishment of STEM Tinkering labs, equipped with appropriate tools. Special attention will be given to girls, maintaining a 40/60 girl/boy ratio where possible. Students in grades 6 to 12 will be empowered with tools to overcome social, economic, and gender barriers in STEM, including Tinkering Labs and Coding. These labs will be established in schools situated in semi-urban Bangalore. The curriculum will include hands-on activities such as digital literacy, visual programming, website design, Python programming, computer-aided design, digital marketing, and game development, fostering 21st-century skills like innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, entrepreneurship, ownership, project management, and time management.
• Impact
  This intervention promises a multifaceted impact on the education system, addressing key aspects comprehensively. The school lab will adhere to Niti Ayog guidelines, ensuring efficiency for students and aligning with other hands-on technology labs. Teachers will receive essential training, fostering confidence in implementing STEM initiatives. Schools will benefit from dedicated technical facilitators for the Robo Siksha Kendra initiative. All students from grade VI onwards will gain exposure and hands-on training, following RSK guidelines and exploring career opportunities in STEM. Sessions integrated into the school timetable provide technical knowledge and insight into STEM careers. Students will be encouraged to participate in innovation-driven competitions, fostering inspiration and learning from peers. Additionally, interaction opportunities between donor teams/employees and students will enrich the experience for all involved.