STEM+ Activity books for underserved kids in India

Agastya International Foundation has developed ActiLearn 1.0 to address the critical issue of a rapidly growing education deficit, by providing children an amazing and exceptional opportunity to learn joyously and actively, anywhere, anytime, with or without technology. Ingeniously designed hands-on STEM to STEAM 50+ maker activities with storytelling centered around key science themes adapted to the child’s context and environment help to foster critical self-learning, collaborative and peer-to-peer learning skills.

Why ActiLearn 1.O:

• National Educational Policy:Making and observation activities are included, in accordance with the New Education Policy, 2020
• Accessibility in Pandemic: The book will be especially helpful in the pandemic since it provides avenues for self-learning.
• Engagement: The book will include approximately 45+ activities for an engagement period of 50+ hours.
• NCERT Curriculum: The activities have been designed in accordance to the NCERT curriculum.
• Self-Learning: Do | Observe | Experiment | Explore | Question | Discover
• Interactive Format: QR codes for further exploration and deep dive into topics
• Templates: Contains learner-friendly templates for building models and learning by making
• Shift in Attitude: Students will gain confidence in their skills after tackling all provided activities.

Actilearn distributed at Shahpur, Karnataka

Implementation:

We have identified and distributed ActiLearn Aha Series book to 4500+ students (Studying in between 6^th - 8^th grade) from Karnataka. Who are from underprivileged studying in government public schools they were very eager to learn, do and share the learning’s with others specifically to their peers, siblings and neighbour children.

Children explored, created and shared many activities with other children on the activities of different themes like Light and Shadows, Garden Science, Force and Energy and Changes around us.

We have received very good feedback from the students on the activities, they expressed relevance to daily life, and engagement and understanding on concepts have increased. Even some of the children have started creating their own activities based on the learning using household materials. Parents were also very happy knowing children’s involvement in making and sharing the learning with others.

4500+ actilearn books have been distributed to 7th standard students from 51 schools.

ACTI-Learn books distribution inauguration program:

On 3^rd September 2022 ACTI-Learn books distribution inaugural program was conducted at the Government higher primary school Halepeth Shahpur.  This program was inaugurated by Mr. Shanta Gouda (DDPI YADAGIR) through the distribution of some ACTI-Learn books to students and he explained about uses of ACTI-Learn books. In this program, school teachers and students and local bodies also participated.

Details about ACTI-Learn books distribution:

During 2022-2023 distribution of 4500 ACTI-Learn books was done to 51 Government schools from 6^th to 8^th - 7^th Class.  

Long term Impact

It helps to promote children’s knowledge of science concepts and principles and build vital psychomotor, curiosity, observation, reflection, exploration, and application skills. Children will learn to:

CREATE self-apprenticeship and unforgettable learning experiences

DISCOVER their calling and awaken their creative-active mind

BUILD lifelong learning, confidence, and social intelligence skills

EXPAND hands-on knowledge and awareness of science in real life

INTEGRATE knowledge across disciplines

LEARN to collaborate, teach and mentor