Intel India today launched the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Acceleration Programme to strengthen STEM education in the country. The programme will endeavour to focus on initiatives aimed towards promoting creativity, innovation and a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) attitude amongst students across the country through a wide array of STEM-centred initiatives and resources designed to inspire better learning and student discovery. It will also endeavour to accelerate STEM-based governmental and non-governmental programmes in an effort to encourage student interest and participation in STEM related subjects.
As a part of this programme, Intel India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The National Council of Science Museums in an effort to strengthen the research culture for students across the country and build innovation resources. As a part of the MoU, Intel India and NCSM shall endeavour to collaborate on initiatives that will help promote the spirit of innovation and creativity with young people in India. These collaborative initiatives would include setting up of a ‘Galileo Corner’ at select NCSM’s innovation centers, Intel IRIS National Science Fair’s affiliation to the zonal Science Fairs by NCSM and a ‘Science Week’ focused on STEM related activities at NCSM centres.
This collaboration would work to create the world’s first ‘Galileo Corner’ at the Innovation Centre of NCSM at the National Science Museum in New Delhi. Such a hub will give students’ access to the Intel® Galileo Development Board which will endeavour to help them build prototypes for their ideas for smart devices.
Commenting on the occasion, Anjan Ghosh, Regional Director, Corporate Affairs, Intel APAC said, “Intel believes that young minds are the key to taking on big ideas, and a strong STEM foundation is crucial for their success. Taking this belief forward, we have introduced this programme to seed future innovation generations by investing in STEM-based learning and discovery. Our partnership with the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) will strengthen the research culture for students across the country and build a strong innovation capability across India.”
Reinforcing the importance of creativity and innovation and need for nurturing creativity of young students, G. S. Rautela, Director General, NCSM said, “We are delighted to work with Intel India for the National STEM Acceleration Program, a unique program that will provide a wide array of STEM-centered initiatives and resources, designed to inspire innovative spirit among students and result in better learning and great discovery. As part of the program, we will also be adding a ‘Galileo Corner’ at select NCSM Innovation centres to promote creativity, innovation and a Do-It-Yourself culture amongst the students.”
With the emphasis on transforming today’s students into tomorrow’s innovators; the National STEM Acceleration Programme will endeavour to focus on four core areas:
·Enabling Greater STEM Access: This programme includes new outreach collaboration initiatives such as the ‘Galileo Corner’ promoting to provide hands-on learning and develops a Do-It-Yourself culture among young people.
·Promoting STEM Equity: There will be specialized STEM programmes targeting marginalized sections of society. STEM competencies will be supported through various programmes for science education in schools and by connecting them with leading scientists and leading research labs in India.
·Catalysing STEM Quality: The programme will entail focus on strengthening dialogue and collaboration between leading practitioners and organizations in the field on effective STEM policies. This will include resources for professional teacher development and curricula, encouraging students to participate in STEM related subjects.
·Nurturing STEM Excellence: Platforms will also be provided to reward and recognize innovation and originality through competitions such as the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Additional incentives will be given to nurture excellence in STEM subjects through mentoring provided by senior scientists at various coaching camps and special awards such as the Sam Pitroda Award for Research and Creativity (SPARC).
The Galileo Corner
The ‘Galileo Corner’ will be set up in selected Innovation hubs in NCSM. These centres will promote creativity, innovation and a Do-It-Yourself “Maker” culture among the student participants in the NCSM’s Innovation Club. These hubs will let students create projects around the Intel® Galileo Development Board. The board allows the creation of quick prototypes of simple interactive devices such as LED light displays that respond to social media, or for tackling more complex projects such as automated home appliances through to life-size robots which can be controlled through a smartphone. This learning and discovery process would be helped by relevant technologists who will be on-hand to guide on potential usage capabilities of the platform.
Building momentum on the Galileo Programme in the country, Intel India will also launch a lab focused Galileo-based Curriculum focusing specifically on the Intel® Quark SoC architecture in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science.
