Digital Swaraj Fellowship: Revisiting the Journey of DEF’s Flagship Programme
STEAM initiatives enliven the environment as it brings forth a great deal of energy and enthusiasm among students. DEF’s involvement in this aspect has been branching out in many directions with its roots strongly embedded in rural parts of India.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) subjects not only fosters innovative thinking and serves as a foundation on which many skills get developed but instills confidence, stimulates the mind to think out of the box, provides a good platform to build human relationships through peer interaction, gives better opportunities to connect with the real world and keeps the curiosity to learn alive. Digital Empowerment Foundation has been actively involved in many STEAM programs to tap into the creativity and thirst to learn at the grassroot level.
In collaboration with Accenture, DEF recently organized a series of STEAM Exhibitions across multiple states. These exhibitions provided a platform for young minds to showcase their innovative ideas and experiments, fostering their interest in science and technology. With over 1500 enthusiastic student participants and more than 400 STEAM projects presented, these exhibitions aimed to inspire and engage students in the field of science.
The objective of these exhibitions was to inspire and engage students in the field of science, encouraging them to explore and experiment with various scientific disciplines. By combining the power of digital technologies and hands-on learning experiences, the exhibitions aimed to ignite a passion for scientific discovery and problem-solving among the participants.
The STEAM Exhibitions covered six states and eight districts, selected based on existing STEAM or Makerspace programs under the Skills to Succeed Project. Through collaborative efforts with local coordinators the exhibitions took place in Gola (Jharkhand), Chanchalguda (Hyderabad), Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), Barmer (Rajasthan), Alwar (Rajasthan) and Ghazipur (Delhi) in the presence of many government officials who further fuelled the interests of young students through inspiring speeches. The exhibition in Gola witnessed the participation of nearly 250 students, with a significant representation of girls. Students presented over 40 scientific models, impressing visitors and paving the way for future exhibitions in rural areas. Innovative projects created by students from various schools were showcased in Chanchalguda. The event featured projects developed in the Digital Excellence Centre, where a Makerspace Lab was set up by DEF. The STEAM Exhibition in Aurela Saidanpur, Barabanki, focused on nurturing talents in rural areas. Projects like “Anti Accidental Eye link Arnica Group,” “Solar Tractor Aditya Group,” and “Solar Panel Smart City Ashiya Group” received recognition for their continuous relevance and future-oriented approach. The STEAM Exhibition in Alwar showcased 96 models created by 116 children from 46 schools. The models were evaluated by a knowledgeable panel, providing a platform for students to demonstrate their creativity and scientific acumen. A captivating science exhibition in Jalalabad featured 40 projects across various categories. Students demonstrated their creativity through models such as Green City, Solar Systems, and Mini Smart Cities.
In addition to showcasing the exceptional projects and experiments, the exhibitions also included STEAM sessions with students. Experts and professionals from the field of science conducted motivational talks and interactive sessions, enlightening the students about the potential and future scope of STEAM subjects. These sessions had a positive impact on the participants, boosting their confidence and motivating them to pursue scientific aspirations.
Overall, the STEAM Exhibitions organized by DEF and Accenture had a significant impact on students, fostering their scientific knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm. The recognition and appreciation received by the students, coupled with the exposure to real-world applications, further enhanced their skills and passion for science. These initiatives not only showcased the students’ talents but also inspired younger generations to explore the world of science and consider careers in STEAM-related fields.
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