~ Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat ~
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune launches the 2nd edition of ‘STEM for All’ from 28th February to 2nd March 2025, at the Kalpakghar Community Tinkering Centre in Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park. This three-day event, is a significant milestone in promoting STEM education and is made possible through the support received from Tata Technologies’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The ‘STEM for All’ theme, aligned with National Science Day, aims to empower Indian youth for global leadership in science and innovation, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The hands-on tinkering Hackathon 2025 aims to empower educators, teachers, Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) mentors, and students with innovative tools and methods for teaching science and learning more effectively. During the hackathon, participants will engage in identifying four key components / issues related to design and technology projects:
- Problem-solving by other means
- Focus on product quality
- Tasks that require specialised knowledge
- Concepts and skills necessary for making practical projects
The activity features diverse STEM activity presentations from participants across backgrounds, fostering a vibrant exchange of knowledge and ideas. The Hands-On-Tinkering Hackathon competition is one of the activities where students, teachers and educators can get a chance to make working prototypes without batteries. Participating teams receive basic lab equipment and materials (e.g., MDF sheets, basic hardware tools, basic stationery, electronics components, etc.) and access to tools like online simulations, educational software, and virtual tools.
Experienced teachers and education professionals provided advice and guidance throughout the hackathon. Short sessions on incorporating technology in classrooms, gamification in education, and best teaching practices were shared as well as a structured template to guide the creation of lesson plans for Educators/ATL mentors. Participants stand the opportunity to win prizes for their innovative contributions, recognizing and encouraging their efforts in STEM fields.
Launched last August, the Kalpakghar Community Tinkering Centre, a collaborative project between IISER Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park, is funded by Tata Technologies under its CSR initiative. Tata Technologies, through its CSR initiative, is committed to supporting programs that promote inclusivity and accessibility in STEM education. In line with the NEP 2020, the centre aims to conduct STEM-tinkering workshops for PCMC school teachers and students
By supporting programs like the ‘STEM for All’ celebration, Tata Technologies aims to nurture young minds and contribute to the development of a scientifically literate and curious society, fostering a future of innovation and progress for India.
