Bhubaneswar: To promote mathematics and science education among students staying in hostels run by SC, ST Development Department, the State Government has decided to set up labs on Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education in the hostels.
The ST & SC, Minorities and Backward Class Welfare Department has decided that all students studying in their hostels to have exposure to STEM learning in a manner that not only instills 21st century skills in the students but also helps then connect the world around them with the concepts detailed out in their science and math textbooks.
Secretary ST & SC, Minorities and Backward Class Welfare, Roopa Roshan Sahoo has directed officials to chalk out strategies for implementation of STEM Program across the State.
With the rapid change in market trends and the nature of desirable skills in the workforce, the education sector has introduced STEM education.
The STEM education is a teaching and learning approach that primarily focuses on hands-on and problem-based learning methodology, officials said.
It emphasizes developing logical and critical thinking skills by allowing students to learn and understand things from the perspective of the real world so as to equip students with the skills that are required to succeed in their respective careers whether it be in jobs, entrepreneurship, etc., they said.
They recognize the crucial role STEM fundamentals and building a scientific temper will play in boosting their student’s future career prospects.
The officials said that the first step towards readying Odisha’s youth for the digital age will be to address the fear of STEM-related subjects, especially Science and Mathematics, by allowing them to bring their textbooks and subsequently their imagination to life.
Thus, the idea of setting up STEM Labs in hostels has been undertaken which is focused on equitable access to quality resources that help students visualize concepts in their textbook through curriculum-aligned tinkering activities, play and prototyping, with a laser focus on designing solutions for the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world.
The department is already setting up ICT labs in the hostels to make learning facilities available for students during and after school hours as part of the residential education program. A part of the ICT labs will also include the STEM and tinkering labs set up, they informed.