STEM Academy opens Teacher Training Center in Delhi
Atlanta’s STEM Academy has big plans for Indian schoolkids. In January 2018, the Academy rolls out a “Center for Excellence” in New Delhi, an initiative to train Indian schoolteachers in new ways of teaching science, tech, engineering, and math to middle and high school students in schools affiliated with the four largest educational boards in India (CBSE/ICSE/SSB/IB).
Dr. Amitabh Sharma, the Academy’s cofounder, says his mission is to get Indian students to approach these subjects innovatively and creatively using an interdisciplinary approach and experiential learning. Dr. Sharma is a serial entrepreneur with experience in oil and gas, information technology, and education. He holds degrees in law, management, and marketing, and serves as founding chair of American India Foundation’s Atlanta Chapter Leadership Council.
Dr. Paddy Sharma (right) (not related to Amitabh Sharma), STEM Academy cofounder, also founded FIHI Hope Foundation to help young students receive good education and clean living.
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Links:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/indian-american-launches-novel-education-programme-in-india/articleshow/61978706.cms
https://www.ndtv.com/education/indian-american-launches-novel-education-programme-in-india-1785254
Details from press release:
STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is an interdisciplinary and
integrated approach to learning. It is challenge-based hands-on practical education which aims to
foster inquiring minds, logical reasoning, and collaboration skills. It is perfectly aligned with Indian government missions such as Start-up India, Skilled India, Digital India, Make in India,
New India, and women empowerment. If successive U.S. Presidents, Mr. Bush, Mr. Obama (his
slogan ‘Educate to Innovate’), Mr. Trump have endorsed STEM for America’s creative uplift,
India can certainly benefit from STEM based learning and generate innovative leaders.
Yet the efficacy of STEM based
learning has been limited due to lack of structure.
STEM Academy of USA has developed an implementation strategy for India including modular content along with practical tool-kits for Grades 4 thru 10. The company has made presentations and teacher trainings across India to school owners, principals, management, Science and Math teachers,
students and parents. Now the company is embarking upon full-fledged STEM implementation
in schools across India through their Gurgaon-based Indian channel partner MPower Global-
STEM Education where a marketing and sales team is led by V. K. Garg.
Maria Montessori, a noted Italian physician, propounded the theory that a child has innate traits
to learn from the environment and tools around him. She went on to develop a spectrum of
experiential kits for mixed age groups where peer to peer learning was accentuated. Books
were replaced by hands-on practical projects which led to higher learning while teachers
assumed the role of facilitators. Entrepreneurs and inventors like Jeff Bezos (Amazon),
Larry Page, and Sergey Brin (Google) and others attribute their
creative instincts to hands-on challenge-oriented Montessori education.
STEM pedagogy is a natural corollary to Montessori’s do-it-yourself method of learning and has been proven to work towards elevating the understanding and application of knowledge. When a
student explores a Math or Science concept through project-based learning, it inseminates
indelibly only to be gainfully applied in his future Engineering or Technological pursuit with an
innovative flavor.
Having mapped the 4 major syllabi in India- CBSE/ICSE/SSB/IB - for Grades 4 thru 10 into
Math and Science modules, the company has embarked upon a structured implementation of STEM as
part of school curriculum. Each module dwells on an overarching Science and/or, Math concept
and embodies several practical hands-on toolkits which help students to engage in project based
interdisciplinary learning of Science and Math related with Engineering and technology
principles. Each module is broken down into Blocks encompassing different facets of Math and
Science concepts studies over 3-6 sessions depending upon grade level. The class size is split
into comfortable group sizes of 5-6 students in each group and adequate number of modules are
pre-loaded onto carts for each Class to come to STEM lab and do the learning. The content is
constantly updated and maintenance rendered.
STEM training and certification is provided to teachers through comprehensive workshops and
constant orientation on pedagogy and delivery. Teacher training and certification in STEM is
provided in Centers of Excellence operated by SAUS at various locations countrywide or at
locations within schools that are desirous of conducting such training. The teacher’s role shifts to
being a facilitator.
Summary:
*Structured STEM curriculum implemented as part of school timetable. *Content mapped to
CBSE/ICSE/IB/SSB syllabus for Grades 4 thru 10. *Key concepts for each Grade addressed
through easy-to-understand material. *Content and hands-on practical tool-kits developed by
Subject matter experts based in US and India. *Pre and Post assessment- comprehensive analysis
of improvement. *Proven to enhance performance in tests and competitive exams through better
subject assimilation. *Collaborative discovery based peer-to-peer learning environment
conducive to conceptual clarity. *Reduction in teacher workload due to supplemental role of
STEM curriculum. *World class quality STEM content and tool-kits with constant updates.
*Affordable price point per student per month basis convenient for school and parents.
*Inclusive STEM training of teachers at Centers of Excellence in India. *Career boost for
STEM trained teachers- preparing for tomorrow. *Student exchange programs between India
and the USA. *STEM refresher courses and USA certification for teachers. *Participation of
students in international STEM competitions and Olympiads. *Potential exposure to STEM
opportunities at leading organizations like NASA, *Preferential consideration to job/profession
oriented skill development programs. *Schools earn enviable reputation and popularity through
better results and elevated education standards *Parents appreciate children becoming creative,
innovative, original thinkers securing STEM careers.
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