Igniting Minds: Looking at STEM+ for a Brighter Future
STEM is widely used term in the west and has gained significant momentum in India as well
recently. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, a term first
introduced by Judith Ramaley, an American biologist and educator. It focuses on building
knowledge and skills in these disciplines to prepare students for innovation-driven careers.
The concept gained momentum in the early 2000s in the U.S., when reports like Rising
Above the Gathering Storm (2005) highlighted the need for a strong STEM foundation to
ensure economic prosperity and solve societal challenges.
India has long recognized the value of STEM. The National Education Policy (NEP) 1968 laid
the groundwork for integrating science and technology into education. Later, the National
Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 emphasized hands-on learning, creativity, and reducing
social disparities. The New Education Policy 2020 also talks about integrating STEM learning
in the curriculum. STEM fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and a foundation for
emerging fields like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and life sciences.
Despite the efforts of the Government, challenges remain. Access to STEM education varies
significantly across gender, rural-urban divides, and social groups. For example, rural male
and female enrolment in STEM courses is around 40%, while urban enrolment exceeds 50%.
To address these challenges, UWBe started focussing on introducing STEM in Government
schools of Karnataka.
United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), through its STEM initiative has installed XXXXX STEM labs in
Government schools across Karnataka over the last few years. The idea is to develop the
scientific mind-set among Government school students and encourage them to take up
STEM related courses in their higher education. Over the period, while setting up the STEM
labs, UWBe is constantly seeking inputs and suggestions from the various stakeholders on
the importance and usage of the labs. The idea was to collaborate with teachers and help
them in their session delivery while helping students understanding the concepts using the
models and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits placed in the STEM labs.
United Way Bengaluru’s renewed Approach to STEAM
In this year (FY 2024-25), UWBe started looking at the intervention from a different lens.
Adding the “A” in STEAM introduces Arts—visual arts, crafts and enhancing knowledge
about STEAM related concepts through books—to foster creativity, communication, and
collaboration. The whole engagement will be classroom focussed where classrooms will be
turned into comprehensive STEAM spaces which will have a set of DIY kits relevant to the
grade, a digital set-up having the digital content as well as simulations and a STEAM library
with books focussing on STEAM concepts. This initiative of UWBe is called EcoSTEAM-where
we are developing an ecosystem in the Government and Government aided schools
focussing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
The program promotes holistic development, encouraging students to think beyond logic
and explore creative fields. After multiple interactions with different stakeholders including
teachers, STEAM experts, education officials, UWBe has begun transforming classrooms into
STEAM spaces. The DIY kits will enable teachers to teach the concepts using hands on tools
and students will learn them by doing. Using of digital aids also help in enhancing the
understanding of the concepts. The DIY kits are aligned with the state curriculum. The
STEAM library will have books relevant to the grade appropriate STEAM concepts.
Apart from the classroom based model, UWBe is also setting up STEAM parks in the selected
Government schools. These parks will be set up in the open spaces/grounds and will have 2-
D and 3-D models which will create curiosity among the students about the science and
innovation. The schools will be selected strategically which will be at the cluster or a block
level so that the large number of students can visit the STEAM parks and gain knowledge.
To provide more fodder to the students’ creativity who take interest in STEAM, we shall
introduce basic robotics and tinkering as well. The idea is that the students should come up
with the solutions for some of the local community issues and develop models for the same.
The students will be encouraged to prepare working models and UWBe will support the
bright students with the resources and mentoring. The corporate volunteers will play a
major role in shaping up the creative young mindsets. The students showcasing innovation
will be encouraged to participate in the science based competitions at various levels.
By providing all these opportunities, UWBe’s EcoSTEAM program can evolve into vibrant
spaces for creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, building a solid foundation for
students' futures. With teacher training, structured sessions, and efficient monitoring, this
can help unlock students' full potential.
This National Science Day on 28th February, 2025, let’s all come together and appreciate the
efforts of the students and the teachers to explore science and utilise the resources wisely
and hopefully it will help to bring solutions to some of the pertinent problems the planet is
facing today.
