Honeywell India and Agastya International Foundation partner to bring experiential science learning to disadvantaged children and teachers
India CSR News Network
GURGAON: In the run up to National Science Day on February 28, students from Government Senior Secondary (GSS) School, Khandsa Village in Gurgaon, put up an exhibition of science models that they created to explain complex scientific concepts through simple experiments. Most of these students are children of migrant workers from the surrounding industrial area.
Also Read: Honeywell Science Experience brings transformational education to school student and teacher
Six months ago, the school received a science center through Agastya International Foundation and Honeywell India, as part of the Honeywell Science Experience program. Through its uniquely scalable, hands-on teaching-learning methods, the program aims to foster child and teacher participation in experiential learning, and boost science education.
Dr Nirmala Kumari, school principal, said, “The science center fills a critical gap in our infrastructure, and our students now have the benefit of receiving experiential science education right here on campus. I have seen a sea change in the level of interest in science among them, ever since this center was set up.”
Designed to cultivate curiosity, nurture creativity, and instill confidence, the program is vastly different from the typical rote-based learning system that discourages questioning and student-teacher interaction.
“It is very crucial to tap bright but economically vulnerable children and communities, and to provide an environment in which they can create, tinker, seek and find solutions,” said Hariharan Ganesan, Director – Partner Relations, Agastya International Foundation.
He further said that India has thus far been way behind in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) investment, and that we have one of the most acute talent crises globally.
“Being one of the world’s leading technology companies, Honeywell understands the importance of STEM education and its impact on the global economy,” said Sangita Ghalay, Head – CSR, Honeywell India. “The Honeywell Science Experience program is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators and scientists,” she explained.
Launched in August 2016, Honeywell Science Experience reaches more than 48,000 students and 600 teachers in Gurgaon, Delhi, and Bangalore through 11 unique experiential science centres, 10 mobile labs, and 1,100 student mentors.
