I am Kedar, an Indian American designer based in California. I have known FAT for 3 years as a past volunteer and supporter, and I am impressed by their work. I want to raise 1000 USD so that girls who otherwise do not get access to quality education can also study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, make stuff and kindle their innovative minds. The funds I raise will help FAT support classes in the Lab using the curriculum they have developed for at least 3 months.
Lack of women in STEM fields is a global issue, and promoting STEM education for girls from an early age is the solution to address this problem. However, we also need to make extra effort to reach to girls who do not otherwise have access to quality education, who face multiple challenges that keep them away from basic technology. Even though these girls live in cities, surrounded by all latest amenities and technology, they are not able to pursue STEM education.
The funds I raise will go to FAT so that they can run their regular classes in the Jugaad (Innovation) Lab for girls for at least 3 months with 20 girls between the ages of 10 to 15 living in urban poor slums of Delhi. These classes use innovative hands-on project work to help girls understand STEM concepts while also motivating them to pursue STEM subjects by shedding gender stereotypes, providing exposures and introducing role models.
The Jugaad (Innovation) Lab is a means to encourage young girls from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to opt for STEM-related subjects when pursuing higher education. The Lab will help create an atmosphere that inspires creativity and scientific thinking in girls from a young age. In the long term we hope this will facilitate entry of girls from marginalised communities into the technology world as creators & makers, and even decision-makers around technology.
