Rural Youth to Get Hands-On Science Learning Experience with 'Stream Labs' in Govt Schools
Bengaluru: The Department of Science and Technology is reportedly working on setting up "Stream labs" for science experiments in government schools across the country, particularly in rural areas. These innovative labs are expected to benefit thousands of students by providing a hands-on approach to learning fundamental concepts from the state board curriculum.
According to State Minister of Science and Technology NS Boseraju, the idea for these labs arose to foster scientific temper among high schoolers. The government aims to increase scientific temper among high school students, and activity-based learning in the labs is expected to benefit rural students who often lack access to quality science education.
The labs will be equipped with low-cost, portable, and student-friendly equipment that complements the state board curriculum. However, unlike other programs like Atal Tinkering Labs, which focus on urban schools, these labs are poised to cater specifically to rural children.
According to a source familiar with the development, the labs will emphasize hands-on learning of concepts, projects, internships, and experiences to aid students in grasping essential topics for academic success. The equipment will also be used to develop scalable prototypes for real-world problems, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills among students.
The State Board curriculum will ensure that students learn fundamental concepts such as entrepreneurship, basics of engineering, robotics, space education, and environment and ecology aligned with sustainable development goals. This experiential learning approach will not only make science more engaging but also bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications.
If approved in the upcoming budget, these labs are expected to be a game-changer for rural students, providing them with an opportunity to develop essential scientific skills and fostering interest in science among the next generation of leaders.