Stem Education Support Program
The project aims to support STEM learning among low-income children through community learning centres in PCMC and Khed. These centres provide experiential learning, life skill education, career counselling, and science workshops to students from 7th to 12th standard. The project equips the students with the skills for a career in the technical/engineering field by providing them with academic, social, as well as need-based financial support.
Key Sector
Education
Location
Maharashtra
Partners
YOJAK (Youth Organization for Joining, Action & Knowledge)
Date
July 2022 to July 2023
1588
students enrolled across 6 main centres and 6 sub-centres
30%
Average Performance increased by 30% in STEM subjects
60%
Parent’s participation in meetings (Child’s Education) Increased by 60%
STEM education in schools encounters obstacles in terms of curriculum alignment, teacher preparedness, and resource limitations, impeding the effective development of students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in an increasingly technology-driven world. Along with this, there is a noticeable gender disparity in the pursuit of technical education careers, highlighting the urgent need to address these challenges and promote inclusivity in STEM education.
What we Accomplished
With the YOJAK community learning centres, the achievements include improved academic performance in STEM subjects, heightened parent engagement, a notable preference for STEM higher education, active participation of female students, and social and financial support awarded to students for pursuing studies.
Most of the students here come from vulnerable families. Apart from providing academic support, teachers provide individual attention to students to help them utilize their fullest potential. As a result, I scored 75 % in the 12th exam, 97 percentile in JEE Mains, and 615 marks in NEET securing admission at Government Medical College, Nanded
Danish Shaikh
Joined Khed Centre at 17, Pursuing MBBS
How we did it?
The educational initiative with YOJAK currently operates in six centres across Pune, including three in PCMC, two in Khed, and one in Akurdi. It focuses on STEM education for students in grades 8 to 10, providing academic support in science and math. Additionally, there is a program for remedial learning and an introduction to STEM concepts for 7th-grade students. The initiative offers supportive education for 11th and 12th-grade science students, including life skill education and spoken English classes. Furthermore, it provides exposure to computers, robotics, and engineering through activities such as exposure visits and camps.
for Science & Maths: Grade-wise remedial classes for students of classes 7th to 12th
Hands-on experiences in the fields of computers, robotics, and engineering, offering opportunities like exposure visits and camps to enrich students' practical understanding
for students with a special focus on girls
Challenges
Restriction on girls and low parent engagement
Initially, parents were reluctant to send their children esp girl children to learn at community centres and very indifferent to their education.
Inadequate Support from local communities
led to a long time to establish trust in the community.