STEM

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To kindle curiosity and scientific temperament

STEM Education

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The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programme of the School Education Department, Tamil Nadu is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State where an innovative approach to developing scientific temper at the middle school level, at a large scale, is being attempted

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The STEM initiatives aimed at creating an environment for developing and fostering a scientific temper, a spirit of reasoning and a boundless curiosity about science and mathematics concepts among Government school students.

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How have the STEM initiatives evolved?

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1. Rolled up EMIS module – Around 12000 teachers showed a willingness to be part of the STEM program

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• Voice blast calls from SPD sir inviting teachers to participate in a district-level discussion

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• 1231 teachers showed interest and participated in a discussion in 19 districts on 23.07.2022 and another 19 districts on 30.7.2022

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• Teachers discussed and gave suggestions to make Science and Math learning more effective in the classroom, listed down hard spot topics for students and hard spot topics for teachers where they need training, and listed down equipment needed for them to teach effectively in the classroom

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• These suggestions are collated at the state level and being used as major inputs to devise further action plans

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STEM Pilot Initiative

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State conducted a pilot program in bringing experiential science education into schools with Tamil Nadu Science Forum (TNSF) in 67 schools across 6 districts. The state provided teachers with science kits along with training by experts. Teachers gave feedback that students started learning effectively through doing, questioning, and exploring. A few teachers said that the students started improvising activities with alternate materials and also doing experiments in their homes.

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STEM on Wheels Project

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1. The State Government has announced a signature scheme with regard to introducing the concept of a Mobile Science Lab. The announcement states that a dedicated amount will be allocated to the Mobile Science Lab which will be focused on developing a scientific temper among Government school children. 6-8 Classes in all Government Middle, High and Higher Secondary schools

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• Teachers are the best resources to instil passion in Science and Maths learning among school children. This program will act as a catalyst to provide further encouragement to teachers who are already engaged in such activities and provide a framework for doing activity-based sessions in a structured manner. Teachers would be given resources, guidance and funds to do experiments in the classroom

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• STEM Ambassadors who are enthusiastic about science and math education would attend the school once a month. The STEM ambassadors will be provided state-level training on activities and experiments so that they can attend schools along with a science kit and create a buzz and excitement about doing experiments and activities. In the remaining weeks’ teachers would engage students in experiential learning.

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STEM on Wheels Project

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1. STEM Ambassador (SA) will be allocated depending on the number of schools in a block.

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• Each SA will be given the list of schools and its respective HM contact number. SA will reach out to the respective HM and schedule classes. One session is to be scheduled for an average of 2 hours with around 50-60 students. If more students are there in a school, the number of sessions should be increased.

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• SA are tracked through a mobile application dedicated to them. Their attendance is marked based on an OTP sent to HM. SA will upload pictures/videos of students doing experiments, upload curious questions asked by students and select 3 curious students through the app. The teacher’s login module will be enabled to give feedback about the sessions.

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• Since SA attend one school once a month, we expect that continued engagement with such activities will be provided by teachers regularly.

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• State, District and Block level committees will be formed to take this program effectively

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The following committees will be formed to run and monitor this program – Tentative Roles and Responsibilities

School HMs

• Plan, organize and facilitate needed sessions without any change in the routine classes (Maximum 50 Students per Batch)
• Facilitate the sessions of STEM Ambassadors
• Involve all Staff members for the smooth execution of the programme on the school campus, if required SMC members too
• Update all information in this regard during parents’ meetings and SMC meetings
• Plan and execute weekly Science and Maths Club activities
• Encourage children to participate and involve themselves in the demonstration activities done by STEM Ambassadors and in turn in their routine classroom transactions
• Facilitate children to further Science learning in their day-to-day life

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The following committees will be formed to run and monitor this program – Tentative Roles and Responsibilities

Block-level Officials

• Constitute Committee at Block level headed by BEO consist of selected HMs, BRC Supervisor (I/C), BRTEs and all STEM Ambassadors of the Block concerned, appointed Key Resource Persons (KRPs) of this programme and representatives of various organizations involved in this program
• Conduct Block level committee meetings periodically
• Ensure School visits of STEM Ambassadors and smooth functioning of STEM Activities at the School level
• Encourage STEM Ambassadors to Identify innovations among students, captures and share the same in the App provided
• Involve all Block level committee members and share the field experiences to sustain the momentum of the programme
• Ensure the mechanism to resolve the issues that arise from time to time
• Attend District / Regional / State level Periodical Meetings

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The following committees will be formed to run and monitor this program – Tentative Roles and Responsibilities

District-level Officials

• Constitute Committee at the District level headed by CEO including DEO, ADPC / APO, Representative from DIET, DC- STEM, Selected High and Higher Secondary School HMs, BRTEs and representatives of involved organizations and appointed KRPs from various organizations
• Conduct District level committee meetings periodically
• Monitor and track the school visit of STEM Ambassadors and ensures the smooth functioning of STEM Activities at the School level
• Involve all members of various organizations and share the field experiences periodically to sustain the momentum of the programme
• Encourage STEM Ambassadors to Identify innovations among students, captures and share the same in the App provided
• Identify and appreciate the best Ambassadors at the district level
• Attend District / Regional / State level Periodical Meetings

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The teachers who are performing well in this initiative and curious students identified through the SA app will be taken on exposure visits to research institutions to meet top scientists and mathematicians across the world

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The State has reached out to 80 institutions and the pilot exposure visits have already started

Pilot - STEM Exposure visits for students and teachers

Let’s all join hands together to bring in a movement of Scientific thinking and experiential learning!