Education India Project #61919

Support STEM+ learning for children in rural India

by Agastya International Foundation

Support STEM+ learning for children in rural India

Project Report | Oct 17, 2024
STEM Education for the children of rural India

By Dafney | Donor Relations Executive

About Agastya International Foundation:

Spanning 172 acres, the campus houses over 20 labs, buzzing with activity. Daily, more than 600 children engage in experiential learning here. The curriculum and events, consistent with Agastya's programs, enhance school syllabi and are tailored to deliver the 'Aah! Aha! And Ha-ha!' moments of hands-on education to India's youth.

Agastya Campus:

The campus comprises six clusters: Navarachana (Innovation Hub), Bio-Discovery and Chemistry Centers, Arts, Discovery Center, Creative Corner, and Ecology. Each cluster offers a multisensory learning experience. This year, a variety of activities across these clusters enriched the knowledge of children and teachers alike.

Empowering Rural Children Through STEM Education:

Literacy is crucial for socio-economic advancement in India. The 2011 census recorded an average literacy rate of 73%, while the National Statistical Commission reported it as 77.7% in 2017–18. Urban areas had a higher literacy rate of 87.7% compared to rural areas at 73.5%. There is a pressing need to equip the rising Indian population with modern education, where science plays a pivotal role.

LAB ON A BIKE

To scale its reach and impact, Agastya had initiated the Lab in a Box (LIB) which has proved to be a great resource for government school teachers to execute hands-on science activities on a regular basis. The Lab on a Bike program is a variation of the LIB program wherein an Agastya instructor uses the LIB to conduct hands-on science classes in the schools. The instructor travels to different schools each day along with the LIB box which fits onto his bike. On completion of all the pre-defined schools, he starts his next cycle with the second box and so on. Covers around 1000+ Unique Children.

Reach and Benefits

Reaches out to 10 schools per rotation
Generate up to 10,000 exposures

Covers around 1000+ unique children.

Conclusion:

The National Science Foundation forecasts that 80% of jobs created in the next decade will necessitate some math and science skills.

India's educational landscape reveals a substantial opportunity gap, hindering personal ambitions and societal development.

This gap is most evident in the skewed distribution of quality STEM education, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. Data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) highlight this inequality.

Agastya is dedicated to providing quality education within the Indian context, employing a unique hands-on approach to engage students and achieve the pinnacle of success while ensuring gender equality in STEM education.

Links:

Agastya virtual tour

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