STEM Learning’s CSR Program Implementation details from West Bengal
12
Schools Empowered
4800
Students Benefitted
48
Teachers Benefited
5
Corporate Supported
3
Presence In Districts
STEM Learning supports the government of West Bengal in its endeavour to promote & improve the quality of education in the state. The mission of the government is to equip children with knowledge, skills and values to enable them to become good human beings. The Literacy rate in West Bengal has seen an upward trend and is 76.26 percent with a population of 9.13 Crores (source: www.census2011.co.in). Thus, STEM Learning has been committed to enhance the basis of learning by multiple efforts, including by being the implementing partner for the installation of Mini Science Centres (MSCs).
Corporates such as Tata Metalicks, ICML, World Vision and ECML have been instrumental in installing 12 MSCs in the districts of West Bengal with an objective to increase the scientific temper & inquisitiveness among students, so they can be ready for the future. 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.
The schools where the MSCs have been installed have experienced the impact of the revolutionary STEM education . They’ve reported an increase in the attention span of the students. The engagement levels among students have been amplified. The teachers do not need to intervene like before, as the interactive models spike the curiosity of students. The students keep playing with the models and interim learn the mechanism and grasp the concept. While interacting with each other, they communicate what they experience and peer learning is quite a common phenomenon observed.
4800 students have benefitted from the installation of MSCs. With the help of these exhibits, students are confident in their abilities and as a result peer-to-peer learning is seen among students which denote that MSC models . empower students to become independent learners. Exhibits are light to carry, easy to use and enable a fun learning experience. These models facilitate a kinaesthetic learning approach which provides a hands-on learning experience.
48 teachers are benefitted. The plug and play models have brought a wave of pedagogical reformation in the government schools. The exhibits are light in weight and can be easily carried to classrooms. The teachers utilize these models to simplify and explain various science and math concepts and theories. The thorough ‘Teacher Training Programs’ guide the teachers to use the exhibits to their advantage.
Through the Employee Volunteering Program the Corporates encourage employees to actively get involved with the school children. Various quiz competitions relating to their curriculum and informative career guidance sessions are conducted by the employees who are also trained for this program. This sensitizes the employees to the current reality of society and as they actively engage in making a difference they are transformed in the process.
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. The schools, teachers, students and parents now have faith in the transformation brought about by these models. Students have access to unique models that teach and equip them to have a bright future.