Zeal Education

STEM-EX: Explorations in STEM

STEM is a process, not just an end-product!

All over the country, STEM education has come to mean only two things: Robotics and Coding.

Robotics kits are available in the market, where all that a student has to do is to assemble the kit!

Coding is often a matter of copying code that is already given by an instructor!

We at Zeal Education believe that STEM is much more than that!

We believe that in STEM, the process of learning is as important as the end product!

How do we implement this?

The solution consists of a series of explorations that are undertaken by students, working in groups.

The exploration starts with a question:
- How do I build a perpetual calendar?
- Why does this balancing toy not fall off?
- How do I build a bridge using sticks?
Students perform a series of experiments to understand how to find an answer the question.
- They look for patterns in calendars
- They investigate equilibrium in simple systems
- They look for strong structures!
- They design and build models, based on their experiments.
- They discuss why certain materials are better for the job than others.
- They learn to read diagrams, they learn other skills like drawing, cutting and pasting!
They close by reporting on the work at an end of the year exhibition!

10 Government schools are identified in a region and a teacher is selected from each school to participate in the program.

Each school is given 15 copies of kits for 45 explorations (15 each for class 6, 7 and 8.)

Kits include all the materials and tools needed for conducting the explorations.

Teachers are trained in conducting the explorations in special workshops.

During the year, teachers work with their students to conduct the explorations.

At the end of the year, an exhibition is organised in the school, where students showcase their learning.