STEM Learning’s CSR Program Implementation details from Odisha region
20
Schools Empowered
8000
Students
Benefitted
80
Teachers
Benefited
6
Corporate Supported
7
Presence In Districts
The literacy rate in Odisha is 72.87% and the population is 4.2 crores as per 2011 population census (source: www.census2011.co.in). To keep up with the growing population and to meet their literacy needs, STEM has partnered with Corporates such as Edique, Hindalco, IOCL, OCPL, OPERA and Vedanta to reform the pedagogy approach in government schools of Odisha. With the support of the CSR partners, STEM Learning is set out to change the pedagogy of the government school education.
Across India, STEM Learning is the implementation partner of Mini Science Centres (MSCs). So far STEM has installed 23 MSCs PAN India. Integrating STEM Learning in the education sector develops curiosity, inquisitiveness, critical-thinking, problem-solving, imagining, innovating, questioning and exploring, designing and building, testing and modifying their solutions to complex problems among learners. This modern way of teaching not only helps students comprehend the concepts and their applications easily, but also helps in implementing them for the progress of the society as the students will be equipped with the required knowledge and skills for life.
MSCs have been installed in the 20 schools of Odisha in the districts of Simdega, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Bhubaneswar, Kendrapara and Jharsuguda. A quality STEM program helps students to gain the skills required to succeed in today's challenging world. This includes the ability to think critically, solve complex problems and drive advancements in science and technology.
Teaching aids bring light-hearted energy while learning a concept. This has shaped students who have shown a 15% more interest in the science and math concepts. This has led to a transformation in learning style, from rote learning to an organic and meaningful approach where students understand what is taught in the classroom. Students, who find it difficult to focus, are drawn to the interactive models.
The sustainable solutions of STEM Learning ensure a lasting impact. The concepts learnt by students in the classrooms with the help of the MSC exhibits stay with the students. It has been noticed that students who learn by understanding tend to retain information easily. On understanding the science and math concepts students share that information with their peers. When their peers miss a class, students have been proactive in dispensing knowledge to their peers.
Students today need to have an immersive learning experience where they can see, touch, explore, and MSC fulfils this gap between the need of the students and the reality of the education system. These models facilitate a kinesthetic learning approach which is a hands-on learning experience. With the help of these exhibits, 8000 students are confident in their science and math knowledge.
80 teachers have been empowered by the ‘Teachers Training Program’ in Odisha. Use of the MSC exhibits reforms the pedagogy in schools. Teachers have gained confidence in the potential of utilizing learning aids to teach students as well as students are able to understand tough concepts easily. Teachers are enthusiastically using the MSC models and the results are phenomenal.
The students have displayed their talents in the STEM awards held in February 2020, Bengaluru. They participated in various events such as Quiz Competitions, Tinkering and Model Making Competitions. The practical implications of a thorough STEM education were displayed in this event. Students from 3 schools of Odisha participated and demonstrated their STEM skills. With the right learning resources and access to opportunities, schools from the underserved areas of Odisha are proving their mettle.
