MUMBAI: Extending its broad support towards improving the quality of education in India, JSW Foundation, the CSR arm of the Jindal Group, has taken up to sponsor 25 Mini Science Centres to BMC schools in Mumbai.
A Mini Science Centre has 60 interactive science & math working models, explaining concepts from textbooks like Newton’s Disk, Periscopes, Archimedes Screw, Infinity tunnel, Pythagoras theorem, etc. JSW Foundation has taken this initiative in collaboration with STEM Learning Pvt Ltd, which is the pioneer in installing Mini Science Centres in schools in India.
As a part of this initiative, one of the key Mini Science Centre installations was installed in Colaba Municipal Secondary School, Mumbai. The chief guest at the inauguration was Mumbai Mayor Mrs. Snehal Ambekar and Vinod Shelar, Chairman of BMC Education Committee. Mrs. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation was also present at the event. Mayor Snehal Ambekar took a keen interest in understanding math & science working models at the Mini Science Centre. She said, “These working models will help students to understand science & math concepts better. These are really insightful and students are going to enjoy studying with them. Great initiative by JSW.”
According to a latest white paper released by a NGO, the dropout rate in BMC schools has gone up from six (out of 100 students) in 2009-10 to 12 in 2013-14. Major reasons cited are poor quality of education, teachers and infrastructure. Even the BMC official site mentions enhancing standard of education in BMC schools by teacher training and capacity building as one of the strategic plans. Against this background, this initiative by JSW of providing latest teaching aids in the form of Mini Science Centre to BMC schools is apt. This will help improve the quality of education in BMC schools and decrease dropout rate.
STEM Learning also trains teachers to use Mini Science Centre working models for classroom experiments. JSW has ensured that this Mini Science Centre installation does not remain as one-time affair but there is continuous monitoring of its effectiveness in science learning. STEM Learning has developed a periodic assessment test for same. A senior JSW Foundation official said, “It is this partnership between JSW Foundation, STEM and the BMC management that holds promise to reach out to many talented children in BMC schools.”
JSW Foundation is an independent trust that administers the social development initiatives of the JSW Group. The Foundation, chaired by Mrs. Sangita Jindal, works in the fields of education, health, environment, livelihood, sports, art, culture & heritage. JSW Foundation is in constant pursuit of making life better for communities all over India.
STEM Learning Pvt Ltd is a pioneer in installing Mini Science Centres in schools in India. STEM Learning has developed Mini Science Centre with the help from renowned scientists and educationist in India for students of class 5th to 10th of SSC, CBSC & ICES Boards. Mini Science Centre is approved by MSCERT (Maharashtra Education Board). STEM Learning has done 325+ Mini Science Centre installations in rural & urban, private & public schools across India.
STEM Learning Pvt Ltd started in 2011. After successfully setting up 40 Mega Science Centres in various districts of Maharashtra, STEM Learning decided to launch Mini Science Centre comprising of table top science and math working models to promote activity-based learning in schools. STEM Learning Pvt Ltd offers teacher training and periodic assessment model. Training modules are available in Hindi, English and vernacular languages. STEM Learning provides appropriate branding for corporate sponsoring the Mini Science Centre at the entrance, exhibits and social media.
Contact: Ashutosh Pandit, ashutosh@stemlearning.in
