Overview
The STEM Outreach Program is an L&T–sponsored initiative aimed at introducing school students from nearby communities to foundational and advanced STEM concepts through hands-on, activity-based learning. As part of this initiative, I mentor and guide a student team from Don Bosco Institute of Technology to design and deliver engaging technical sessions that spark curiosity and build confidence in young learners.
Started under the vision and leadership of Dr. Prasanna Nambiar and Dr. Ashwini Kotrashetty, this program continues to grow each year, empowering students with essential technology skills while strengthening academia–school collaboration.
My Contribution
As an educator and mentor, I have played an active role in:
- Guiding the DBIT student facilitator team
- Designing the curriculum and session flow
- Conducting technical workshops directly for school children
- Ensuring both conceptual clarity and hands-on learning
- Bringing real-world use cases to classroom-level understanding
Courses Conducted
1. Map Maker Course (QGIS Basics)
A course designed to introduce school students to the world of maps, spatial awareness, and geospatial thinking.
Key highlights:
- Introduction to GIS and real-world applications
- Hands-on training using QGIS
- Creating simple maps and understanding layers
- Exploring local geography and environmental features
- Encouraging curiosity about smart cities and spatial data
This course helped students understand how maps are created, interpreted, and used for decision-making.
2. Move the Turtle – Introduction to Python Turtle Programming
An interactive course that introduces programming through visualization and creativity.
Key highlights:
- Basics of Python Turtle
- Drawing shapes, patterns, and animations
- Understanding logic, loops, and coordinates
- Building problem-solving and computational thinking skills
Students enjoyed seeing their code produce immediate visual output, increasing engagement and confidence.
Objectives of the Program
- Promote STEM awareness among school children
- Make technology approachable and enjoyable
- Build computational and spatial thinking from an early age
- Encourage students to explore engineering and data science pathways
- Strengthen community outreach and social responsibility among engineering students
Schools Covered
The participating schools are from the nearby local regions, allowing consistent interaction and long-term impact through recurring sessions.
Impact
- Improved interest in STEM among young students
- Students gained hands-on exposure to GIS, Python, and creative coding
- DBIT student mentors developed leadership and teaching skills
- Strong collaboration between academic institutions and local communities
Future Directions
- Introducing beginner-friendly machine learning activities
- Expanding geospatial storytelling sessions
- Creating open-source teaching materials for wider use
- Developing project-based learning modules aligned with NEP 2020
This ongoing initiative continues to inspire young learners while strengthening our commitment to accessible and impactful STEM education.