Elementary education in government schools in Jharkhand is going to shift from rote learning methods and embrace the next generation STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) system aimed at creating critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators.

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — through an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teaching the four disciplines as a separate module, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

In many developed countries and developing countries around the world, STEM labs have become a norm.

However, such a system of learning is yet to become a regular practice in Indian schools.

“We would set up STEM labs along with science labs in all model schools. Initially, in the first phase all the 27 model schools at the district level will be having STEM labs. We are planning to roll it out in a few selected schools from this academic session itself,” said Shailesh Kumar Chourasia state project director, Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC). He is also the director, higher education.

STEM labs which would be set up in model schools at Jharkhand.

On completion of one year in office on December 29 last year, chief minister Hemant Soren had announced about Adarsh Vidyalaya (model school) scheme. In the first phase of the scheme, 27 existing government schools will be transformed into model schools.

“As a pilot project, STEM labs are being installed in five blocks in capital Ranchi. Focussing on students who have a knack for maths, science and technology related subjects, the labs will impart practical learning and improve problem-solving ability based on the theories taught in regular classes,” added Chourasia.

Major underlying issues prevalent in the government schools include student attendance and overall learning outcomes.

The government believes that such a project will help in terms of value addition and in creating an interactive atmosphere for students.

The project is being implemented through the innovation fund of the state government and has been adopted in Ranchi district.

According to an administration official, the labs will be open to students from all the government schools in the respective block. After evaluating the impact of this project, similar labs will be set up in all the blocks.

“Traditional education pedagogy in India is still focused on books and numbers while very little importance is given to the practical implementation of these theories. This scenario changes with STEM education. The labs will give students the space to think freely and create something on their own,” a source in the chief minister’s office said.

A STEM lab would be equipped with different exhibits related to the subject module taught in the curriculum of the schools, such as pinhole camera, LED-based heart, eye model, ear model, infinity wall, sound in different mediums, layers of soils, solar system, hand pump, solar-power system, hydro turbine, motor model, sensor setup, telescope, generator, skeleton system, Newton’s law of motion setup, biodiversity setup, different types of robots, projector, tab and interactive computing device.

All the teachers deputed in these schools will be given hands-on training before the final handover of the labs.