Covestro contributes to STEM education, sets-up first mini-science centre in Ankleshwar

This is first among the ten centres which the company plans to set-up in the country by the end of 2017

India CSR News Network

MUMBAI: Covestro, the global manufacturer of high-performance polymer materials, in collaboration with STEM Learning Pvt. Ltd, today inaugurated a mini-science centre at Karavel (Navgam) Primary School, Ankleshwar, Gujarat. This is first among the ten centres which the company plans to install in the schools by the end of 2017.

In addition to setting up the science centre, Covestro in collaboration with Jain Social Group has also provided infrastructure support to Karavel (Navgam) Primary School by constructing a shed using polycarbonate sheet where the 150 children enrolled in the school can have their mid-day meal.

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In continuance with its efforts to promote STEM education in India, the centre established by Covestro and STEM Learning aims to enhance awareness among teachers and students about the value of learning, with a special focus on science and mathematics. The initiative also encompasses a teachers’ training program and facility maintenance for two years.

With a mission To make the world a brighter place Covestro aspires to provide innovative solutions which change the lives of people for better.  Science education in India is facing several challenges today. The most basic problem that has persisted since independence is our inability to provide schools with labs and equipment to be used while teaching science. The mini science centre is a powerful and innovative tool to revolutionise science education and make it increasingly accessible.

The centre is an extension of a STEM workshop conducted by Covestro India in New Delhi in October last year which was intended to drive STEM learning among children; especially girls. 

Speaking at the inauguration of the centre, Patrick Thomas, CEO, Covestro AG, said, “Along with the business ambitions, Covestro has always aligned its corporate social responsibility activities towards promoting overall wellbeing of the society in which we serve. We have identified the focus areas for Covestro which further streamlines on issues which are highly relevant in the local context. We believe these centres will be able to help the schools to build future of these children, who will make the world a brighter place tomorrow.”

Ajay Durrani- Country President, Indian and Managing Director – Covestro (India) Private Limited said, “One of the biggest challenges for STEM education is the quality infrastructure. Through these science centres, Covestro will continue to push boundaries and promote science education to create a knowledge and research driven economy.”

The proposed centres will be placed closer to Covestro India’s plants and office locations. Proximity will help Covestro employees to voluntarily dedicate more time for the initiative.

STEM Learning Pvt Ltd

STEM Learning was conceptualized with an aim to inculcate basic concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics at school level, thereby encouraging inclination of students/learners towards science and technology. Models designed by STEM help students in identifying and experiencing the actual products which they learn from text books making it more practical oriented.

STEM believe that school education can’t be only visual or audio but it is important for children to practically feel the products and experience it. With the same vision, STEM already own 100+ products for better learning and believe in adding more for improved learning of students specially who are from less privileged section of the society.

STEM today has already reached to more than 4,50,000 students and 650 teachers from more than 450 schools specially rural and municipal. In addition to this, STEM learning also has a niche in installing 30 big science centres in different talukas of Maharashtra under Manav Vikas Mission Project of Maharashtra Government. These science centres have trained more than one lakh students who never dreamt of experiencing and exploring science in a practical and easy way or visited such interacted science centres.

Covestro India

Covestro India is renowned manufacturer of high-tech polymer materials and innovative product solutions for key industries. Headquartered in Thane, the company caters to key industry segments such as Automotives, Construction and Electro & Electronics through its pan India distribution network. The company is very well established in India with three manufacturing facilities across the country at Greater Noida, Ankleshwar and Cuddalore. Covestro with its innovative products and solutions is committed to work towards the principle of sustainability.