Support STEM+ learning for children in rural India

The Mobile Science Lab (MSL) program, a transformative educational initiative by the Agastya International Foundation, has significantly impacted rural education by making hands-on, experiential science learning accessible to disadvantaged children and teachers. The program's core philosophy centers on moving beyond traditional rote learning to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts through interactive models and demonstrations.

Key Activities and Initiatives:

The MSL's activities are diverse and comprehensive, targeting various segments of the community.

School and Community Visits: 

Between April and June 2025, Agastya’s MSL in Kudur conducted 77 science sessions across numerous government schools, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework and NCERT syllabus for students in classes 5-9. These sessions, attended by 2,168 students and 67 teachers, covered key science topics like Photosynthesis, Food and Nutrition, and States of Matter. The sessions emphasized hands-on learning, allowing students to explore concepts through models and experiments. Teachers actively participated, ensuring the learning continued beyond the sessions.

One notable community visit was organized in Srigiripura, where 20 students demonstrated simple science experiments to 12 community members, including parents. This event, featuring interactive segments like "Magic with Science," aimed to make science approachable and build a stronger connection between schools and the local community.

Summer Camps:

Eight summer camps were successfully conducted over 53 days in locations across the Kudur region, reaching 4,235 students. These camps, centered on Experiential-Based Learning (EBL-1), introduced students to STEM principles through fun, practical activities like model-making. By encouraging students to build and explain science models, the camps boosted their confidence and curiosity, transforming the summer break into an enriching learning experience. Testimonials from students highlighted the camps' unique and enriching nature, praising the focus on planning and constructing science models.

Operation Vasantha:

Operation Vasantha provided a structured, after-school learning environment during April, May, and June 2025. Daily two-hour sessions offered academic support, with a focus on homework completion and note-writing, alongside creative and science-based enrichment activities. Students engaged in hands-on science activities using low-cost materials, covering themes like health and cleanliness. Beyond academics, the centers offered a variety of co-curricular activities, including paper crafts, storytelling, and mindfulness sessions, which helped develop creativity, confidence, and discipline.

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Special Programs and Outreach:

The foundation also organized special events to raise awareness on significant global issues.

• World Environment Day: On June 5, 2025, a celebration at GHPS and SBHS Soluru involved a tree plantation drive, raising awareness about environmental conservation and sustainable practices among 165 participants (82 boys, 74 girls, and 9 teachers). The headmaster, praised the initiative for its role in instilling ecological responsibility.

• International Yoga Day: A special yoga awareness program was held on June 21, 2025, at GHS Sugganahalli and GHPS Kagimadu. Students were guided through basic yoga poses and learned about the physical and mental benefits of consistent practice, with teachers supporting the initiative by sharing the long-term advantages, particularly for growing children.
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Impact and Conclusion:

The MSL program has proven highly effective in making science education accessible and engaging. The positive feedback from students and headmasters, underscores the program's success in enhancing understanding and boosting curiosity through practical, hands-on learning. By integrating science with community engagement and co-curricular activities, the Agastya International Foundation's initiatives are not only improving academic outcomes but also fostering holistic development and a community-wide appreciation for science education in underserved areas.

Links:

• Agastya's website

Agastya's Mobile Science Lab (MSL) program continues to make significant strides in fostering scientific curiosity and understanding among students in Subir. This report highlights the impactful activities conducted by MSL 1 and MSL 2 during April, demonstrating the program's reach and engagement within the community. The core objective remains to bridge the gap between theoretical science and practical application through hands-on exploration and interactive learning experiences.

During April, the MSL program focused heavily on Regular School Sessions. MSL 1 conducted 9 school visits and 28 hands-on sessions, resulting in 445 boy exposures, 492 girl exposures, and engagement with 20 teachers. Similarly, MSL 2 carried out 9 visits and 24 sessions, reaching 341 boys, 297 girls, and 24 teachers. Cumulatively, in April, both MSL 1 and MSL 2 undertook 18 school visits and 52 hands-on sessions, providing valuable science exposure to a total of 1,575 students (786 boys and 789 girls) and 44 teachers. These sessions are crucial in providing consistent and engaging science education directly within the school environment.

The program also organised impactful Summer Camps. MSL 1 conducted camps at the Government Secondary School, Biliamba (5 days) and the Government. Secondary School, Shingana (3 days), witnessed active participation from 894 students and 14 teachers. MSL 2 held camps at the Primary School Kakshala and the Primary School, Jamanyamal, each for 6 days, engaging 1,142 students and 18 teachers. In total, the summer camp initiatives across both MSLs reached an impressive 2,032 students and 32 teachers, offering an extended and immersive science learning experience beyond regular school hours.

Furthermore, the MSL program actively engaged with the wider community through Community Visits. MSL 1 conducted 6 community visits in Iskhandi, Lavchali, Uga, Girmal, and Timbarthava, with the participation of 109 community children and 140 members. MSL 2 carried out 4 community visits in Ikshandi, Chikhali, Uga, and Lavchali, engaging 101 community children and 87 members. These visits play a vital role in extending the reach of science education beyond the formal school setting, involving families and the broader community.

Finally, Faliya Classes provided focused engagement within smaller community groups. In April, MSL 1 conducted a one-day session in Lavchali Faliya, benefiting 30 children. While MSL 2 did not report any Faliya classes for April, this initiative highlights the program's commitment to reaching children in their immediate neighborhoods.

While data for Science Fairs, Day Celebrations, and Teacher Training Programs was not available for April in this report, the activities undertaken in Regular School Sessions, Summer Camps, Community Visits, and Faliya Classes demonstrate the significant impact of Agastya's Mobile Science Lab program in Subir. The program's multi-faceted approach, reaching students within schools, during camps, and in their communities, is effectively fostering a deeper engagement with science and contributing to the development of a scientifically aware generation. The cumulative data for April alone showcases the program's extensive reach, benefiting thousands of students and hundreds of teachers and community members. This report underscores the crucial role of the MSL program in nurturing a passion for science and promoting hands-on learning in the Subir region.

Feedback:

From the Student:

Today, we did some activities with light to see how it bounces off things. We also learned how to make periscopes and how they work. Also, we learned tricky optical illusions and played with kaleidoscopes. It was a lot of fun.         

~ Std – 8th, Primary School, Pipldahad

 Today, we learned all about planets, especially the Sun, Earth, and Moon. We used models to understand how solar eclipses happen (when the Moon goes between the Sun and Earth) and how lunar eclipses happen (when the Earth goes between the Sun and Moon). It helped us understand eclipses better.

 ~ Sd 7^th, Govt. Ashram Shala Shingana

From the Teacher:

The children got a clear and easy explanation about how light reflects through experiments. It was great to see them participate so much.

- Dharmeshbhai, Science Teacher ( Primary School Zaran)

From the Community Member:

Today in our village, people from Agastya showed us experiments that explained superstitions. They also told us how cold drinks can be bad for our health. We learned about solar and lunar eclipses and what diseases cold drinks can cause.

- Anyabhai, Village – Girmal

Links:

• Mobile STEM Labs
• Our Impact